Gregg,
I am one of the newest members on this form, I never worked on fixing an outboard, replacing stringers or getting a boat to run over 55mph.
However, i did restore a 1976 O'day Mariner to better then new condition never having any experience doing it. (I did have a lot of comunication with O'day Maniner form members to get it done)
But with help/support of people who have done it, it makes the job easyer.
We all learn from each other. Don't give up on it, get done and document the process as you go along. All of us who will do the same with our boat will appreciate your efforts and help of all the forum members who have gone through the pain working on their project.
This was the result of weeks and weeks of labor restoring the Mariner.