Sounds like you have spent some good time sizing things up....AND I especially like the "slide in" approach. If I ever have to remove engine--that will be the way to do it.. THANKS.
You appear very handy so here is some more info in the electronics arena..
I am not sure that you need a bigger alternator. Think about this idea...
I use high amp batteries but do not use any alternator but the standard one provided. I got the idea from an "old salt" in practical sailor .....here is how I can adjust my charging system to supply charging to "fill up" a large amp battery. The alternator supplied has a built in regulator which monitors or "senses" that the battery voltage of about 13.5 is reached and they turn the charging down to float. If you take the sense wire from the alternator and run it through an adjustable voltage circuit you can "trick" the sense wire running to the alternator to stay charging longer....meaning maintaining a voltage lower than 13.5 and thus the alternator keeps feeding the battery(s).
Here is a commercial unit from Balmar: see the drawing
Digital Duo Charge -
DDC-12/24
Dependable engine starting requires
a dependable charge source for your
starting battery. The Digital Duo Charge
automatically tops off your starting battery
whenever your house battery is
being charged – even if batteries are
different technologies.
http://www.balmar.net/20...Balmar-Product-Guide.pdf
Marv Kowalewski Parker 27, The Happy Seal