With regard to "covering up your side braces".... on my new 1652 G3 hull, I looked at those exposed side braces in a different way. I saw STORAGE that I didn't have enough of.
I bought some simple 1x4 by 1/2 inch strips at Lowes. I glued them to the side braces, and added some very valuable storage slots on both sides of the hull.
I used glue, because it seemed to me that if I screwed them on, the screws would penetrate the side braces right at their bent angle. That bent angle appears to be a major part of the strength of the side braces. I didn't want to penetrate the brace at that point. Home Depot's PL adhesive has worked pretty well so far.
Right now in the various cavities created by this project, I have some bottles of water; some bait scent tubes, and a variety of other odds and ends that I wanted in full site. Works for me!
Obviously, if you want rod tubes and other accoutrements, then the open - concept approach may not fit your needs.
Here is the thread that describes exactly how I went about utilizing those braces and the spaces that they created.
richg99
https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40470&hilit=added