I'll get some pics sunday of the trim bracket we made and have used quite a few of, mounts on the transom, cleans up the floor a ton. I spaced mine out and have it back lit with red LED's.
Also mount the shifter on the transom, As you have found the motor will come out more often than planned, anything that gives you less work is a plus in my book. I have just finished a bracket that hides mine beneath the lip under the hatch, you can only see the cable that goes down to the drive.
Get the plexi idea out of your head, EVERY boat I have seen with it has cracks across it. Best case idea is aluminum and have me chrome vinyl it.
Nice to see you finally got rid of the Y pipe, get rid of the blower too, its not legally required and there is no hose that looks nice, they all look like ass.
Shanton, a boat with a motor I did is the fastest side exhaust boat on alum as far as I know. Side exhaust sucks. It sounds bad, its sneezes water all over you when tying up, louder than hell in the boat, best bet is S pipes with under water exhaust, its not too bad when running, quiet in marinas, and 100% legal with the sound law.
And a trailer can't be lit up enough!!! Mine would light up the dark side of the moon!