I have hull number 10, since 1977, Chance. We have done a great deal of motoring in the last 40 years. I have removed the entire engine and the V-drive 3 times myself. Last time I shipped the engine out to Moyer Marine. The entire engine and the v-drive will come out of the opening hatch by the ladder in one piece. Before starting, cover the bulk head so you don't scratch it. My experience is to label everything on both ends of the hoses and do some simple drawings so you know how to get it back into place. Label everything, wires, hoses, etc. Remove the silverware storage bin behind the ladder on top the counter (four screws). Take a 4 x 4 and span your hatch opening with two feet extending on each side. Put some 2 x 4s under the 4 x 4s to spread the weight out. Now hook on a come along or lifting device onto the engine lift bracket located on the head of the engine and connect to the 4 x 4 - you will need to do the first pick through the silverware opening. Lift engine off mounting brackets, then shift the 4 x 4 towards the bow. Simultaneously, pull the engine out as far as you can into the main cabin as you lower it onto scrap lumber. If you have a crane available, pick from this location through the hatch. If not, unhook engine, reposition your 4 x 4 to complete a second pick that is outside of your silverware drawer. Crank the engine up off the floor as high as you can, then lay some plywood down on the bridge deck and set there. At this point, two guys could pick up and move to bridge deck too and even off the boat. You could also hook onto your boom with the support of halyards and take it off that way. After cleaning and painting your engine compartment, it's easy to set back up similar to how you took out. When you have it back in and mounted, you can do a rough realignment of the prop shaft to the engine. You should really realign once the boat is in the water as needed - you do this with feeler gauges. Adjust the mounting screws on your engine so you can get prop shaft aligned with the engine. Good luck! Bob K (Chance #10) if you have questions, let me know.