Getting ready for summer.. help

Last summer I purchased a 99 air tique... I am about to put it in the water, and have changed oil and transmission fluid looks good(maybe I should change as well). Should I do anything to the drive shaft and the "thingy"(sorry for the technical jargon) it passes through before the prop.

What is the correct name for the fin/keel at the front of the hull, someone told me they are called sponsons, this doesnt seem right.

It runs great(starting cold in the morning is sometimes difficult) and looks awesome on the water.

Thanks for the quick reply, Im on my way to the cottage tomorrow. Im having trouble finding the video you referred to. Thanks again

Thanks Mark, you da Man!

My cutlass bearing is wobbling a bit for sure. I am just in the process of getting a prop puller. Who is good to order bearing from? Will there be a part # on old bearing or should I take a vernier callipers to measure shaft and bearing length?
Pete's video is great!   

Prop came off no problem, getting the strut off is another story. It would appear as though there is some seal/caulk holding it fast(4 bolts came out no problem). I have removed pretty much all caulk but I cant get strut off. Is there something im missing? I was hoping to remove the strut without having to remove the shaft, I suspect the shaft has to come out first then.

I think most people would pull the shaft coupler and leave the strut on the boat. When you go to put the strut back on make sure you use 3m 5200 and not silicone caulk.

I split the coupling and pulled the shaft out. Thanks for the warning, I am leaving strut alone. I will hacksaw the old cutlass out this weekend and pop the new ones in, if they arrive (Mail strike here in canada!!). Not too bad a job so far, I thought splitting and removing the coupling would be tough. I followed Petes video and it popped off no problem.