Also curious about this process.

Unscrewed the center thwart pulled it out and recut the yoke 4" to be honest it stressed it quite a bit but a plywood strut laid in gained back the bottom shape. Then recut the "seats" where it did the most good. The back seat was deleted and the thwart was shaped to fit with a pool noodle. Front seat to the bow was built flat with some extra float and carpeted for doggy comfort. Just behind was also built up but with a grid and carpet so we could lash down gear. All told it was a heavy beast rode pretty low with the mutts in putts.