Karl,
You make a good point. That may help me make the decision on cutting from below or above. Lord knows I don't relish the upside down fiberglassing job. One of the alternatives I'm considering is to cut an inspection hole thru the top deck glass, about 6" x 6" around the hawse hole. And, minor decay there is really not a structural issue. It's the bolt hole areas that concern me most. Fortunately, the structual bolting is spread out well over a fairly large area.

I will be drilling, poking, and prodding around all 12 main bolt holes (6 windlass, 4 roller mount, and 2 pulpit) very carefully before I finalize my repair strategy. If it's punky, it will get torn open. If it's solid, I'll just repair the hawse hole area.

I will say this: The Friday after Thanksgiving, while fishing single handed, I got my anchor (all chain rode) hung up on an old trawl net that had apparently fouled on the wreck I fish. Standing on the bow, working the windlass, I was able to actually pull the bow down toward the water, and I never noted any deflection of the deck.

Also, yesterday after removing the pulpit, my 300# buddy Bob (aka Large Polish Boy) who was helping me, did his best jig on the offending area of the deck, with no noticable movement of the area.

I'm going to check it carefully, but I'm not above accepting an occasional run of good luck.
Bob