Problem for HP in using a well in the hull, it would be 6ft deep.
Thats a 4ft travel for fuel and control lines..
Rope start the engine? has to be all the way up to the top
and what happens if you hit something with the deployed motor leg?

Outboards have some features that are tough to compete with
and you might not need much more than what some people regard as dingy power
on a $ for $ basis its probably the best way to go unless someone figures out a cost effective electric system
and only when you can use the other features electricity can provide you