had a single step that covered the original vent and auxiliary ballast valve. I glassed over the original vent years ago and ran a hose from the forward part of the ballast tank up to the anchor locker, as many others have done. However, wih the AC installed it was quite a stretch to get in and out of the cabin. To improve this I added the Garelick 28" cockpit steps from West Marine (model 197873) and removed the original step.
The legs were 5 3/4 inches too short, so I popped the end caps off the bottom with the intention of adding some 7/8" tubing inside the 1" ladder tubes. However, the manufacturer has reinforced the 1" aluminum with 7/8". To add the extensions, I threaded 6 inches of 3/4" threaded rod into the ladder ends and then screwed 7/8" stainless extensions onto the rods and added 7/8 inch crutch tips.
The ladder came with mounting brackets for a vertical surface, but instead I drilled 1/4" holes through the top of the tubes and the bottom lip of the hatch opening and secured it with 2 1/2" stainless bolts, washers and aircraft type nuts.
The ladder has a minor impact on how far the head door will open, but it still opens far enough to use.
The result has been tested and approved by the admiral so all is well.
