You're welcome, goldenstate. I conversed with Raymarine via their community support board and got help with several questions and issues, especially regarding the NMEA-0183 interfaces and the ability to get signals to the ST-50 instruments.
The jog in the angle guard was done along with a couple stanchions that I had in for repair. The angle guard tilt section, where the Navpod was placed. left barely enough length for the jog. As it was it solved two problems. Besides the floor attachment spacing, the shelf on the pedestal was designed for 12-3/4" spacing and with the yard's help it was modified for the larger angle guard tube and it turned out just fine. I really wanted to save that shelf. I took a piece of 1x3 board and installed the new feet on it to give the rail shop an accurate target for the jog. The shelf now sports a couple fancy cup holders on the front. I can lay my phone down on it too. Others have made their own really nice shelves and the space is very useful.
One thing I will probably do this season is add ventilation and possibly a small fan to the Navpod. After all the other wires are connected to the e7D and the autopilot it is really tight in there. I have had heat-related problems with the touch screen in summer. What happens is in full sun the touch screen gets very hot and the unit does not always respond to touch, plus the display becomes very sluggish and at times is unresponsive. I am glad I have the physical controls as backup. Raymarine has checked out the unit and replaced the touch screen, but it didn't help much. I hope they have solved that problem with the Axiom line. When I add a bimini above the cockpit, that issue will probably go away.
My original VHF was at the companionway to starboard, above the galley. I installed the new Standard Horizon in the same place. The location is protected and convenient for use from below or the cockpit. But it is far from the helm, thus the remote mic. That has worked out very well, but adds a wire to the angle guard legs. Coax routing to that companionway location is tough, but in the E38 there is a zipper in the overhead nearby.
Cheers,
Craig
Edit: refreshed memory of the angle guard configuration and the jog.