Hello,
I screwed the pooch on this removal. I finally removed this bearing using 4' length of pipe as a lever. I soaked the thing for a week in PB Blaster, but it didn't help so I decided to just keep ratcheting away until it came fully out. Now, of course, the collets are jammed in the strut and the shaft won't rotate at all. Using a strap wrench I attempted to rotate it, but I am tired of playing with it and will enlist professional help tomorrow.
I think using the pipe on the strut also caused a crack in the fiberglass, which will have to be resolved as well.
I do not like boats anymore.