if you havent taken care of your cables yet..do a search for "luber" you can probably fix yours for about 20 bucksShould be a sharp XTB for years to come.
How did you go on the steering or more specifically the cables? I'm on the second set of Mercury mechanical cables in my 89XTB--boat in service new in early 1992. Even though I got the so-called long life Mercury steering cables when replaced, wheel is hard to turn now. I see $$$$$.
Looks like you came up with no pinch hinges for the non-driver seat. Any information on the source?
P.S. The man hours jump out at you when you view the photos. Ha!