Your GF is willing to help, that is some fantastic news, my wife is adamant about boats being just my thing. As for being an expert, everyone started new at some point. I have done a little interior work and trying to find a Consew 205 to handle bigger stuff, but I'm personally closer to apprentice level than master. Big difference is working on your own stuff is rewarding in my opinion. Since weather is working against you right now, I would consider doing some minor stuff on your Z that can be accomplished primarily indoors. Seats and other interior items could be ready. Maybe your dash needs some clean up, new gauges, or wiring and fuse updates. Build a quick stand for your outdrive and you could have it cleaned up with new impeller ready to go on. If your replacing the transom, then spend some time cleaning and painting the mounting plates. Collect the correct hardware for assembly. Maybe take a look over your trim pump and put a kit in it. Having the stuff ready to go instead of stopping to order and collect supplies makes the project really move when the weather breaks.