At this point in time appearance is the least of your problems.
Safety, comfort and reliability. Not drowning, not being physically or emotionally stressed and getting back under your own power should be your prime motivators.
My boat is kind of an ugly duckling, I repaired it myself after knocking 3 feet off the rear deck cap, fracturing the hull at the rub rail and below, and ripping the trolling motor off the front. That's why I learned the basics of fiberglass repair. There's almost nothing that can't be repaired with fiberglass.
That jackplate was only $150 but money talks. You cannot make one for much less if at all. There are bound to be others out there you might even post a :"Want to buy used" ad here,
Jackplates, in Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and such.