For those that have not been following the build, the stock plans have a hardtop cuddy over the front with up to 1300mm headroom. I could build that with, or without the hard roof, which could be canvas instead. I could also do a small pilothouse like the Cdory16 (sitting headroom only). 

http://www.google.com/search?q=cdory+16&rlz=1C1GCEB_enNZ939NZ939&oq=cdory+16&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i10j0i10i457j0i10l5j0i10i22i30j0i22i30.3811j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.com/search?q=cdory+16&rlz=1C1GCEB_enNZ939NZ939&oq=cdory+16&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i10j0i10i457j0i10l5j0i10i22i30j0i22i30.3811j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on

I could also do a side console, twin consoles, or a cc. If going the CC I'd probably run the cables under the side deck and in under a casting platform rather than chase tubes. I could also make a small pilothouse for standing while driving, or put plastic and clears around the cuddy. 

So basically I can set it up almost any way I want. I'd thought I'd ask the forum in case there's something I've not thought of. 

How would you set up a 5.35m by 2.15m boat? Gunnel height 650mm at the back, nearly 900mm at the front. It's big for its size. Only bias I have is a preference to make things myself from wood/epoxy/glass than buy off the shelf. 

I'm primarily building it for fishing, though there will be a small family element. I'd like some protection from sun, rain and cold South Island weather, a place to sleep would be great (could be under a canvas, doesn't have to be a cabin). 

The boat will be used near offshore, mainly around Christchurch. 

I don't really see the point of CC layout unless you have a lot of people fishing.

The rod directs the fish or if it's something extra large start the motor

 But the forward Hardtop would definitely be the wife's preference. Who knows how often she'd come on it though. 

I've got plans for some small pilothouse consoles as well. It's an option if I scale them down some.

https://www.boatbuildercentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PH3.pdf" rel="nofollow - PH3_kit (boatbuildercentral.com)

Probably much less often if you went for a center console.  Whether that's a good or bad thing I'll leave for you to decide.

Ultimately I'm building the boat, and it's for fishing first and foremost. But family and wife trips would be a bonus. 

Here's an indication of what the stock layout is like. I don't want to make changes greater than 300mm to the location of the steering bow/stern, due to already having a cable and COG issues. 

That is the idea I'm playing with at the moment, but for a 6m CC type hull.  Side console either side,  with a foldable piece that joins the 2 together and a '3 piece' screen that can then join it all together, and a canvas or similar 'cabin'   that way you can have a 'cabin boat' for winter straylining, and a open plan lure fishing machine for the warmer months

What do you guys think of one of these, instead of a CC?

https://www.pacificpilothouse.com/californian" rel="nofollow - https://www.pacificpilothouse.com/californian

Obviously would need to be a little smaller.

That's a small change to the stock layout. Leave cabin bulkhead, but cut a little lower with a windscreen each side. Side coaming and perspex for spray as well. Bolt on/off Targa top overhead. Canvas on the front, or another bolt on/off. 

So it comes down to the list of requirements. Place to sleep/nap occasionally, all round fishing access, portapotty, protection from the weather. I can't have it all easily on a 5m boat. 

I've been looking at Biminis and Targas. Would like to have over the consoles. After throughly thinking it over, the twin consoles is a good match for the boat as drawn, and what I want to do. For me personally a CC with a wrap around pilothouse/clears would be ideal, but I do want some family utility as well. Family is not the priority though, fishing is. I've got three kids, but they aren't little kiddies anymore. 

So either twin console, or centre console with added weather protection. Walk through to the front, through the middle or around cc. The cabin walls left close to as drawn but removable roof so I can fish/access the front. I'll extend the front of the cabin a little so I can use some of room between Frame A and B to stand and access the anchor. 

I'm a bit further South though. The boat should be dry with sprayrails and high sides. I will put some side protection on, either a coaming over the gunwale, or some plexiglass sheet down the sides of the CC. 

Not sure about whether I'll put a front mount trolling motor on yet. How much room does it need when stowed?

Nice side console, though mine will be nearly a metre longer. I looked at the build, traditional ply on frame from plans drawn prior to CAD design. Modern designs are a bit easier to build, not as much detailed woodwork and the panels are predeveloped so you don't need to fit them on the frame and fair offsets from scaling up. 

The builder did a fantastic job though, looks really well set up. 

Will get up over 20k when done I'm sure, but a new 5.3m boat would cost over 50k if well set up. Even if I put a new outboard, trailer, fancy fishfinder, winch and trolling motor on I'd struggle to get that high.