viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5491I haven't cut out the cuddy floor, but I've managed to take some pictures through the inspection ports. The link above has a couple.
I have a 1980 DSII and I don't know if the flotation tank in the first photo was used on other models, but it's probably far enough forward not to be a concern. The two stringers aft of the mast in the second photo would be best left intact. If I were doing it I would put a good-sized inspection port in the cuddy floor to one side of the mast (or maybe one on each side) so you can get in there and fix the compression post, then maybe later install a bilge pump.
(I said in the linked thread that the post was metal, but I think now that I was mistaken and it's actually plastic).
By the way, after staring at the boat for hours and hours, I finally developed a theory as to why the compression post is somewhat randomly located. I think the post was placed in its bed on the keelson in the hull molding, possibly with the resin that holds it in place not hardened, then the upper molding (cockpit and cuddy) was lowered onto it. The post would have compressed to the correct length as the upper molding was lowered, but if the post was misaligned as the upper molding was almost in position it wouldn't have been possible to see it or fix it.