Evinrude 9.5 help

[highcountry]

Well, I'm still at it. I got a 9.5 for dirt and have done the carb and a few other things to it, but now I need help. I pulled the lower for an inspection and the water tube came down with it but the shaft stayed in the power head. I have split the case and pulled the head off, but not sure what is the best way to free the shaft (nothing to grab of tap against) I put a set of vise grips on the lower spline and tapped but it didn't move. How about 3 or 4 mini clamps on the shaft in a place where there are no bearings.

I've pulled engines out of pickups in less time than it took to free this one from it's depths.