Transom is cut

So the buddy making the aluminum cover plate finished up and delivered the plate. After a little trimming it fit around the gimbal housing with no problems.

Using the template installed on the stern, I marked the holes and then started cutting. Here are the end results

Now for the moment of truth, does the gimbal housing fit?

And from the inside with the inner transom plate

So now all I have to do is start painting everything.