[dmese]

I'm no expert but this is what I did. Install cutlass in strut and bolt up. put shaft with surfaced flange in boat through cutlas and find the sweet spot and support shaft. I then lower motor in and lightly bolted motor to flange. Then thats when I drilled for motor mounts etc., in your case you don't have the option. the mounts should be close to the beds. When you do your fill motor install then do your final alingment. one more mention, I made sure my mounts were adjusted as low as possible ( motor sits low in the mount) i actually put 1/2 inch aluminium spacers below mount. For shaft length made sure you have enough for wheel puller, locking nuts, and pin. I f-d up and had to cut a shaft nut in have to gain enough space, just a close call but think about it.