flip the cap before you are done and redo the bedding in the cap where the cleats are especially and the small pieces where ya step and stuff its well worth it once you are this far in :)
When doing pressure test always squirt some lube innthe cylinders like wd40 or even pb blaster , if it hasnt been warmed up best option is warming up first then testing but ill assume thats not a option for you
Bayliners are just like any other boat with wood in them stringers and transoms , they rot esp when abused and left un atended to fill with water, biggest thing is bayliners were cheap lots of folks bought them as a first boat and didint treat them as they should but again any boat that has...
Thing to remember also is stress points, as others have men tioned, as you change structure of boat think of where stress will be I'd also argue the rear corners of a outboard transom are probably reinforced as well since that's a transfer point of stresses
