OK- One more time (guess this is the right thread)
Helms- Sit down stand up- hey its your boat that's your decision. If you'd like to jump into the "bling" projects before using the boat for a season and finding out what she really needs- that's cool too (engine alignment, bent shafts, strange vibrations???- whatever let's do a helm pod)
How many times do you want to play with fiberglass and repaint/gelcoat the helm area. The way you are moving right now it sounds like your going to do it twice.
You've got the pod itself- (I'm guessing your ordering one from Capt. Pat)
You've go the pod installation the grinding and fairing involved with that this alone is no small job, the area under the pod which will need to be addressed (formica or new glassed in panel), closing in the old clutch and throttle locations, making sure your new single levers will work with the old cables- or running new cables (I can't really understand how you might mount the single lever controls and pre fit everything with the steering and pod mounted in the boat- but that's for you to figure out), making sure there is enough play in your hydraulic lines to physically move the helm aft (are they copper or nylon lines) removing and reconnecting the bezel with your gauges in it (maybe you want to get the bezel rechromed) maybe you want new gauges in a different layout, will you move the compass to the helm pod, that hole needs to be filled and on and on.
The simple point is there is a ton of work to putting in a helm pod. Lots of planning should go into it. Once the job is finished and all the helpers are gone- you have to live with it.
Go slow, you have the rest of the time you own this boat to get things done- just try and do them once. I know I've had some do overs because something wasn't thought completely through- And Bob has as well, so take your time and ask if this is what the boat really needs right now