Installed the solar panels and finally decided on a pot puller.
Solar panels are Renogy flexible panels, which have been newly re-issued after some de-laminating and associated problems with their first series. The striking feature of this new series is their 5 year workmanship and incredible 25-year performance warranty, far exceeding any other warranty for flexible panels, no matter how much money you spend, and these are reasonable. I work in the solar industry which is helpful. I chose to use two 50-watt panels near the radar and nav light setup to limit the impact of shading as the boat/sun swirl around, and then one larger 100-watt panel aft of that where shading will be less of an issue. I almost always take the dinghy down when at anchor, so shading from the dinghy will be negligible when it matters most, which is at anchor. I will install one charge controller (from Genasun) for each panel eventually but other projects have priority. This represents the last of the roof penetrations which feels like a small milestone.
After considering the Electrodyne, My-T-Hauler, Discovery Bay, and EZ-Pull models extensively, I chose the Discovery Bay. I like to be able to store the davit and motor in a locker, because on most trips, pulling pots takes up such a small percentage of the trip time, I like having the gear out of the way. This means I want something easy to deploy and set up. The Electrodyne is just too big and heavy in every way. The My-T-Hauler has a strange line configuration that does not allow hands-free operation plus the foot switch seems fussy for easy deployment. The Discovery Bay looks more finished and I like the line configuration better than the EZ Pull, plus it is available in stock at LFS here in Anchorage. I'm 100% pleased with my choice - it hauled a 3-pot string hands-free, passing knots, and was plenty fast, and quiet. Their 3-piece davit setup is perfect for my needs. Highly recommended.
I took a level reading on the cuddy bunks with two of us in the cuddy and 200 lb of fish in a cooler on the back deck, and the bunks are only about 1" lower on the aft end. Sleeping was not an issue, so it must have been a visual distortion that made me think they were grossly out of level. Thankful to avoid re-working the bunk tops!
Also, at full throttle, I only got 5550 rpm, whereas redline is at 6100, so I ordered a 16 x 17 to replace the 16 x 19 prop - that should bring the rpms up closer to range, and hopefully improve fuel economy.
Finally, I hadn't really thought about anchoring up while halibut fishing, plus pulling a 22-lb anchor and 40-ft of 5/16" chain in colder weather is not going to be fun, so the latest project is sizing a drum anchor winch, probably from EZ Anchor Puller company. Much less fussy than a windlass and all above decks installation, plus lots of people here in Alaska love them.