Bob,
The approach you described - as I understood it - seems to be an extrusion of the existing hull lines aft to a new transom. That's basically what I have in mind to do to my Classic. The existing transom would remain in place, sans splashwell, with the new structure providing that stability. The existing hull will be ground and beveled forward of the new structure for the epoxied fiberglass plies to grip; all the way around from the gunwale to sole to gunwale.
The issues I have concern about are the potential for porpoising and the overall change in weight distribution. I'm sure there's a way to calculate (at least approximately) the new materials weight and how much additional buoyancy I'll gain, but have yet to find an article and/or formula that is clear to the non-naval architect or engineer. I'd like to mount a permanent fuel tank in the new structure, but must be able to determine what kind of weight the new and improved boat will support well within the margins of safety.
If you, or others, know of an information source(s) to assist me in determining how to go about this I'd appreciate it.
Tom Herrick
In regard to the anchor ball, I found the USCG requirements at this URL:
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_nav.htm
The text, copied and pasted here, is as follows. They have diagrams as well on the Web site and in publications.
Lights and Shapes
To alert other vessels of conditions, which may be hazardous, there are requirements to display lights at night and shapes during the day.
Anchored Vessels
AT NIGHT: All vessels at anchor must display anchor lights. If your vessel is less than 164 feet/50 meters in length, then its anchor light is an all-round white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions.
DURING THE DAY: All vessels at anchor must display, forward where it can be best seen, a black ball shape.
Illustration of sailboat at anchor during the day, displaying a black ball shape suspended from its mast. Illustration of powerboat at anchor during the day, displaying a black ball shape suspended from a line running between the center of the boat's cabin and the prow.
EXCEPTIONS: If your vessel is less than 23 feet/7 meters in length, then it is not required to display an anchor light or shape unless it is anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate.
If your vessel is less than 65.6 feet/20 meters in length, then it is not required to display an anchor light if it is anchored in Inland Waters in a special anchorage designated by the Secretary of Transportation.