Sorry I haven't responded in a long while to the helpful replies you all made since started work on my PD26. I have had some neck problems which have kept me from taking the boat out as much as I would like. Alyjough a lot of people are surprised that I can live on board, I find that the way I have the boat situated leaves me with enough room. The only complaint that I have is that I can only stand up is where the main hatch comes down, and that is just barely.
To a few issues that were mentioned before, I have a Yanmar YSE8 that after 600 dollars of service by the local Diesel expertt, runs great. That includes a new gunk strainer by the water intake valve, the valve its self, a new wiring harness, all new belts and hoses, a new water pump, and a new exhaust manifold (I think, it comes off thee engine to the starboard, and was cracked and rusted). It now runs like new. Not a bad deal. As to the water pump that I placed under the step, hinges were not necessary. I just attached some wood stripes on the underside that that took the slop out of it and makes it a nice fitting cover that is easy to pop out. I used a rule 500 with an auto switch and a dedicated switch on the panel. For the hose, I used the light corrogated hose, and put a nylon thu-hullout the side, simple.
I also put a new depthfinder in, using the original spot that might have been stock, as the location in which the transducer shoot thru the hull. I did quite a bit of research on this and found the hummingbird t obe the best.
I also put in a hos-pipe for the bow chain and rode. It fits all up front.
As we all know space is at a premium, I have relegated the aft cabin as my storage workshp area, and even switch out summer for winter clothes. The main salon fits my needs perfectly, and has made becoming a minimalist easy. I can do just about everything, except shower, and use the head in that space, and I use the v-berth to sleep.
Last point and that is exercise, which I have limited to bicycle riding. I did, however, find the coolest thing that fits my workout needs for the winter. At brookstone a found a mini-exercise bike that can be used to pedal both your  arms and legs. Riding a bike can sometimes be boring and I find that the time goes quicker if I am either reading or watchin TV, which I do using only my laptop computer. I just sit on the v-berth near the salon facing width-wise, set up my exercise bike on the v-berth towhere I am almost lying down, set up something to watch and go for an hour or so. As for my computer, I have wireless internet thru ATT, I have an exxtension to the wireless USB connection a few feet up the mast and I can watch anything, anytime.
I have no complaints, and Ithink you have to be a certain breed of individual to live like this.
I can't see getting rid of the PD, I am still trying to get my neckto the point in which I can get on the move again. But for now, I am comfortable, although I have ben looking into concret submarines of all things.
Thanks for reeading, sorry for the delay and I hope I have answered any questions that were asked long ago. Steve