floor and rudder

Ihave a 94' ski and have been very happy with the boat. It has just over 400hrs on it. I bought it new in 95'. It has always been Stored inside and is in immaculate shape. I do almost all the maintenance myself. Had to put a new fuel sender in last year big job pulling fuel tank. I have noticed some play in the rudder and have tightened the gland nut on the strut assembly, and have greased it also. as soon as the grease has washed out the play is back. I can also push the rudder up about a 1/16". Is the assembly worn out and need to be replaced or can the tiller arm be shimmed to take up some of the play? Also have noticed the last couple of years some softening in the floor between the gunwale and the motor cover on the port side. My floor is not supposed to be wood and is also to have composite stringers. has anyone else had this problem with their boatsof this year? Is it a result of water seeping into the foam underneath or is just the foam being compressed from walking in this area? What do you think, am I looking at tearing out the floor to fix? What about prop shaft strut bearings? how many hours are you getting out of them before replacement? whats the best way to tell if this needs to be adressed?

behindpropeller,
thanks for the reply. my shaft may have a few thousandths play when I grab the prop and move it, only up and down, no play side to side. Do have any idea on the floor? No need/way to shim the tiller arm on the rudder to take up the vertical play? Anyone else have any ideas or experience to shed some light on these items?

Behindpropellar,
Would you replace the strut bearing at this point? I understand about the floor to wait for new carpet, but the question I still have is do you think there is a water problem with possibly wet foam? when I replace the carpet what would be the fix for the softness in the floor? Tear out of the existing glass and refoaming or would you just grind and laminate another layer on top of existing flooring to help stiffen things up? thanks