Thanks for the comments!
I am seriously reconsidering going ahead and moving the batteries forward. I'll keep you posted.
Capt Lloyd: Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely do the dodger thing. I already have the ORIGINAL bow cushions that have been garaged for 30 years and are still in good shape. How much $$ was your dodger? It has to be custom made, no?
I see you have a bracket on your boat, is that a Hermco and did you have to raise the floor? Do you get a lot of water up through the scuppers? Did it change the handling?
dcobbett: Why do I need more than 2250gph of pumping power? Just curious I thought that was enough. I don't fish offshore and the boat never spends a night in the water.
OK, a lot of progress the last few days, I'll try to post more pix soon. I scored a SeaStar hydraulic steering unit on Craigslist for $400, and installed most of that setup today with the help of a mechanic (he was there doing my annual service on the Yamaha). The new Edson-style steering wheel looks bitchin'.
I had a wiring issue when I re-installed the batteries but a little investigation turned out theat one of my negative battery leads was hanging where I couldn't see it. Problem solved and everything works.
Installed the GPS, works great and snaked the transducer cable up with the hydraulic lines. Still have to install the transducer.
Here are some pix from a couple days ago, the negative buss on the inside of the transom, and a starboard step I installed over some old antenna holes.
