one thing to think about if you want to pull the top, my consles were glassed to the floor
I had basically the same mess that you have now on an 86 Bayliner. Here is a link to my web site that has lots of pictures that might help you along your way getting this repaired.
http://home.comcast.net/~boats615/bayliner.htm
This is my brothers boat. If you have any questions please ask and I will try my best to answer them.
I dont think that I would pull the top off because that would open a whole nother can of worms.
Good luck
As most of you know now, i got this boat from ryan and i am doing the restore.
One question,is how would i support the casting deck's?
Also is there supposed to be a live well above the gas tank?