Acces to the propshaft and packing gland on my 38 is a chore. You first have to remove the (very heavy) engine cover and that enables you then to lift the floorboard to access the prop shaft location.
I cut this floorboard half an inch from the engine cover. It is now very easy to have a quick look at the packing gland and prop shaft.
I screwed the small floorboard part under the the engine cover to the engine cover. Lifting the engine cover takes this floorboard with it. Leaving it alone is asking for trouble as it is rather thin and can break easily if stepped upon.