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I recommend you glass the existing steering hole and redrill at dead center of console.

To further improve console ergonomics, you could install a "rybovich" style wedge under the binnacle to level it off.

Looking at your photographs, do not neglect to seal the howse fitting area below the non-skid where you have apparent plywood rot.

Finally, if you do not want to spend $10K on a new motor, price the Etec 60 or 75 HP. I just installed an E-Tec on my custom 17 and my out the door cost was $7209.