So what's the best and less likely way to remove the shaft without tearing crap up? Can it be done without getting tools from Godevil?

What's wrong with it!!

there is no need to remove it.... gdsd's do not break and never need maintenance

Thanks for the smattazz comments. I haven't said anything negative about anybody elses equipment so go play in the yard please.
DDMASTER, I need to replace my lower bushing

Don't worry I don't get my feelings hurt and the reason I only have five posts is I don't see any reason to hijack others threads or say childish crap about others equipment. Every motor will break and if you think different, I'll look for you for being towed back to the ramp someday. I read this forum all the time so I know the pecker measuring going on, too old for that so if you have any helpful info I'd appreciate it.
Rambeaux, how old are you? Seriously?

From reading and looking at the GD website it looks like a very simple job. Remover you top plates, remove prop nut and then unscrew prop, then unscrew the nut assembly after prop which holds the seals, then loosen up u-joint, then take a big screw driver and open up the joint which is around the shaft and you should be able to slide shaft out.

Yeah but its not sliding too easy . It won't move at all unless you tap on it which leads me to believe I'm missing something

Find your frame SN and call GD - Charles or Warren can talk you thru it - and sell
you parts and tools....

When Charles does it - he uses a "chock" to lock the U-Joint for removing the back
prop nut - then threads a colar to the tail of the shaft and using a tool with a sliding
hammer weight (kinda like a dent puller) on a matching size shaft just "slide / whacks"
it a few times and out she pops....

Appreciate it guys, its back on the water now.