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Thanks Phil for your advice. I agree that an incremental approach is the best.

I am in northern Virginia now, where I live, so if the weather cooperates I may find a day to get to Lake Anna possibly or put in at Occoquan but the wind on the Potomac at this time of year is usually brutal and thus the water pretty rough. The problem is that I will need to have the motor raised by a service pro. I cannot do this myself and everyone is busy now winterizing boats and motors. I will see how soon I can get this done.

I do not know what you mean by "blind hole", sorry. Is that the lower hole in the transom ? Both mounting bolts on the motor are through the hull. Here is a photo of the mounting bolts from the outside. I will also upload one showing the well where you will see the bottom mounting bolt.