Re: Runabout conversion
It's been done before, someone has a boat that went through a couple of transformations ( can't remember who exactly....oops! might know ).
I assume that you fish out of the boat more than use it as a pleasure craft....you may just want to see what you can find for a cheap hull and swap over your motor instead of digging into a conversion, unless you are in love with your boat and don't want to cough it up for another hull design.
You've got options though. You also have a lot to think about in the ways of planning. Realistically looking at the boat in your picture, I'd be looking at removing the windshield and left side console completely, cutting out the enclosed bow area and building a casting deck up to the steering wheel area. You'll have to re-enforce the steering area once you've opened the front up also, or just build a new dash ( maybe get lucky and find a dash pod from a fishing boat for cheap and integrate it...I saw one out of a crestliner for $150 on craigslist ).
