We made a major modification to the Cal 46, which has a normal counter transom, with a slight amount of aft bow or curve to it. There was a huge lazarette and 24 x 24" hatch about 4 feet foreward of the transom. We cut the transom, and fabricated a small swim step--with a 3" lip over hanging the transom, put in vertical walls (fore and aft) and a sloping wall along the front of the new insert into the transom--to the old hatch (also cutting the deck. The swim step was about 18 x 24--enough for one person--and there were teak steps going up at a normal 45 degree rise. To each side of the new stair case, was a new lazarette--port was vented over board and used for gas, paints etc and the stb went under this new stair case and still had plenty of room for spare anchors, lines fenders etc. We had a recessed stair case, the water tight intregrity was retained. Bouyance was not affected and we had a stair case (for dogs and elderly 90 year old mother) to board from the RIB or a dock. The boat was center cockpit, with very small well and 2" scuppers--and combings, except a 12" opening, which had a weather board. Never had any water in the cockpit despite very heavy seas. Bob Austin