Thread: New to me boat - soliciting ideas

A couple pics to get started.
Its a 2016 Lowe UV 1467, with a 2015 9.8 Tohatsu, a 30# TM on the transom, Garmin 53 CV. Previous owner has installed nav lights, blue interior lights, bilge pump. Quite nicely I might add! Some of the best wiring I've seen on a used boat ! !
Just bought it last Night. A nice blank canvas to work with.

- Get a cup of coffee, I have lots of questions ! -

What would you do?
Been watching some videos, looking at pictures of what people have done. Getting some ideas. Will be for bass and crappie, and maybe even throwing some jugs out for catfish.
I'm thinking a deck with storage. The front and middle bench's appear to be on the same plane. Make the top of the deck flush with the tops of the bench's? Which will keep the center of gravity lower when fishing, have less depth for storage, more freeboard on top of the deck to the gunwale. Or have the deck above the bench's? Higher center of gravity, more depth for storage, less freeboard to the gunwale, maybe even incorporate a rod locker. Am I missing any other pro's\con's? Style of fishing dictates?

I have it in my head I want a TM with spotlock. New is too much money, see budget below. Seen a few used Ultrex's on craigslist. I've had cable drive TM's for forever, not sure how remote would work for me. Can you talk me into one or the other? Save room without a foot pedal? CAYMAN GPS NEW MODEL WITH ANCHOR MODE ON REMOTE One of these? They good or bad?

No livewell is planned for this build. When I keep fish, they go in a cooler. Will just set this on the deck. No tournament fishing either.

Budget - $3000. This needs to include EVERYTHING ! From decking to framing to seat mounts to screws\rivets to flooring to trolling motor, you get it.