1985 V20 Step-lift rebuild/refurb

[gofish]

Ok guys, I've started a partial rebuild/refurb of my beloved v20. Just wanted to start a thread of the project where I can post some pictures and get any advice I can.

Backstory: I bought the boat 10 years ago, payed $2500 for it and me and my dive/fish buddies have used the crap out of it. There's no telling how many pounds of grouper/snapper/lobster have hit the deck of this boat since I bought it. The odometer on the Garmin, which I added about 7 years ago, has 4500 nautical miles on it.

When I bought it, it had a 1985 Yamaha 150 2-stroke, and it has been a great/reliable motor. Fastforward to now, the trim is shot, lower unit shot, steering arm broke, leaks oil, etc. It's been a great motor but it's time to cut losses. Last straw was lower unit went out on a Sunday afternoon w/ me and my 3 kids on the boat. First time I'd ever been stranded and needed a tow.

After this happened I looked at selling my hull and trailer and buying a v in better shape w/ a better motor. After a few promising but ultimately dead end craigslist ads, I decided to rebuild mine and find a good used motor to hang on her.

After thinking about it, my dive buddy/best friend decided to go in partners w/ me to buy the new(er) motor and refurb the boat.

Enough writing, I'll let the pictures do the talking from now on w/ a few comments from me....