Hello from West Michigan.
I was going to begin with a dumb question. I should probably just buy this, 1959-Whitehouse 14.5' Runabout on trailer, $250.
Trailer is a little newer than boat, oh well. Boat, fiberglass, has side nameplates, front bow handle, bow light maybe, no windshield, has steering wheel and dash plate, has two lever throttle/neutral/reverse.
Honestly, I have been wanting a runabout to remotor with a jet drive. most have been bigger and heavier than I care for. I like small things, I'm a small person, lol.
Looking forward to tinkering and reading a lot.
Edit:
To Note, I first considered a vintage outboard or two, lol. However, the plywood in the transom would need replaced. This is when a past thought I had seemed a good plan. Restow-mod a pretty 59, Whithouse. Most important to me is get it on the water.