All of that easy access on the front and side is no help reaching the transmission. This collage shows the access from the port side locker. Back when Alyce and I first resurrected A-231, fitting the Westerbeke into this small space was an interesting puzzle. As you can see, it just fits. The biggest obstacle to reaching the gearbox is the water lift muffler. The muffler comes out with a couple of hose clamps and the removal of the shock cord strap.
with the muffler in the cockpit we have fair access to the shaft coupling and the bell housing and shift linkage... 3 machine screws on the shift linkage, 4 bolts on the coupling and 6 bolts on the bell housing. with that and a little boatyard vernacular (i.e. ^&#*!@#$*), the gearbox was free in a matter of an hour.