Still, you're a ton lighter than me (well, not me PERSONALLY, you understand). This project is looking really good at the moment and I'll start a photo log when the time comes. It's going to be a lot of fun. As to reduction gears, we were just talking about that. The 10hp Reliance motor the Perry used weighted 400 pounds and the reduction gear about 250 more. I'll be using less horsepower, however, and I'm thinking that the new aramid fiber drive belts (think Harley Davidson) might do very well. Pulleys and belts would be a whole heap lighter than the original.