Merlin,
I have a 1974 Mk II and I can relate to the engine access. I cut a nice sized access panel in the quarterberth. I can get to almost every part of the engine but the water
pump. It's a palmer P-60 gas engine. My boat has had some minor hull compression where the mast steps and was corrected by shoring up the compression post once the mast was removed.
Hope this helps,
Jerry