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Yeah, the melting point on these boats is 300* F+. It never got that hot when I lived @ Homestead.

The Calcutta DC and the Calais DC are excellent for extremely long casts without drama. The Core 50Mg7 is also very good but the Curado E7 series is the value long distance champ for me. The Daiwa's: Zillion, Steez, PX Type R, etc. are some of my favorites, but less so for maximum distance casts. The MGX is finicky at the edge, even more so than the Steez IMO. All of my recommendations are for 1/4-3/8 ounce baits with average wind to deal with, etc. If you're casting a 1/2-3/4 ounce bait without much wind, any of today's reels with a decent bearing flush/oiling or a Boca upgrade can really sling these heavier baits. I love the mix of different reels, their look, feel, etc. but if I was considering strictly performance and value I'd probably sell everything else and end up with 3 Core's and the balance in E7 Curado's Boca bearings. And I'd keep one Pixy, because everybody needs at least one, LOL.

I bought mine for $499 @ Academy last year. They always seem to have the lowest price on these.

I would have a metal saddle bent to fit over the transom plate to provide support on both sides for the motor to mount onto, then run braces as suggested to a full plywood floor.

I have a Minn Kota Traxxas 45 lb. on mine and I use a pair of Group 24 Everstart Marine Batteries. I easily kill one battery in a day of fishing watersheds in my 10-E. I can get by with one of my Group 34 Marine batteries but then I have to swap it in and out of my big boat so I just use the pair of 24's. IMO, the Traxxas is made for this boat, one hand deployment and return, super easy to adjust, the handle extends and also tilts up or down and if you want to it is easy to cut the shaft to whatever is your perfect length.

I'm 6'+ and without the risers my knees felt like they were around my ears. With the 7" risers I have plenty of leg room and can turn around much more easily in the seat. It also makes it much easier to stand up from the higher position without unduly straining my old knees, LOL.

The 10-E has internal wiring from the rear of the boat to a pre-installed plug in front for Trolling Motor power.

If you have an Academy Sports close try there. They advertised a Pelican 10 DLX for $499, but when I went to get one all they had were 10-E's and they were $499.

I have a 2000 G3 Pro 185 Bass Boat with a Yamaha 90 and it has been a fabulous boat. 12 years and zero problems.

The Diablo's are uber-cool, however the $400 limit you mentioned might make a down payment.

Once I'm lined up & headed down a bank I'll use the Big Foot to cut the motor on and off 10-20 times before I have to turn the motor. And often I just bump it with my knee to change directions and never miss a cast. IMO in a day's fishing the Big Foot gives me 25% more casts than if I was reaching for the trolling motor handle every time I wanted to energize, or de-energize the motor.

Looks OK in the ad. You can get a new 8" Pelican at Academy for $399. They also offer the 10' version for $499.

OK, you used a base and pole type. I used a post type. The one I used bolts directly to the base and to the seat using the factory swivel mechanism. It offers no adjustment but is rock solid and it was $12.99.

I have the 7" Marine Raider pedestals on mine and they are perfect, BTW I'm 6'2" as a reference.

They offer one on most of the Mini Paddle Boats that I suppose you could find a way to adapt. For me it would just be in my way when trying to fish. The seat attached umbrellas seem less in the way but they cost about as much as my Boat,LOL.