So far, so good. I'm putting in a couple-to-three hours each morning, then I go do something else. Yesterday was short, and all I did was cut away the stuffing box hose and fiddle with the water heater a bit. So far, I haven't been able to separate the prop's coupling flange from the transmissions by more than maybe half an inch. I did clean some of the old barnacle residue off the exposed length of prop shaft, so at least there should be a bit less resistance to sliding through the cutless bearing. I'll bring a spray bottle next time I'm there to do a bit of water lubing to that bearing while trying to move the shaft. I've also got a sliding hammer axle puller I'll throw at it.
I did get the parts for the new, larger sea cock and thru hull for the galley sink drain ordered. I suppose I should keep that at just below the waterline, although it would seem like it would drain better and stay clearer if it were just above it.
It did dawn on me - in time for once - that I should postpone the striking of the mast until I'm done installing the new motor mounts. Having the boom in place will make lifting the engine considerably simpler!
No boat work on weekends as I'm busy entertaining the Admiral, so you'll get a 48-hour little break from my whining. So I'll leave you with a little, nearly-totally-unrelated story.
I've ordered car audio stuff from Crutchfield pretty much since they came into existence. Not long after they shifted to mostly online sales, I was filling out my updated account information. They had a field on the form which asked, "How would you like to be addressed?" I thought a moment, and typed in "His Royal Hineyness." Well, all my catalogs now come that way - no other name - and, best of all, when I call them to ask for help and give them my account number, there's this long, crickets-chirping pause while the poor support person tries to figure out how to start the conversation. I tell them "Sir" would be fine.
And they did just send me an email for boat stereos. Unfortunately, as near as I can tell, none will fill the four-inch holes left by those old Standard Horizon gauges.
HRH