[GradySailfish]

Yes in those sea conditions IT RIDES BETTER THEN MY GRADY WHITE, although in beam seas, long rolling swells, following seas the Grady White performs very well. Its only in a "in your face" short, chop the Grady will pound.

GFS. If the tank is original take it out and get a new one. On another project I had a similar situation to yours where a tank "looked good" from the top but was actuall rotten on the bottom. Get it out of there. Like Big Lew said...one wil sleep better.

As for removing the console....thats entirely up to you. If can remove the coffin cover and tank without removing the console more power to you.