Yes it could! Hopefully that's all there is to it!Gene...re: the cockpit deck...as I was under there and pulled the drains, I don't see evidence of plywood sandwich (at drain cutouts), but very well could be....anyone torn out a cockpit deck of this vintage? That first forward 18" or so is unsupported, apparently to leave space for the drain's plumbing which could account for a bit of springy....
I used to own a '79, but I can't remember now just what it looked like under the cockpit sole. Snap a pic next time you're looking under there. It would make a lot of sense NOT to have wood core right where the scuppers go through, that's just ASKING for rot.