DSC00729 This is what the companionway step looks like when it's in place along the sole plate covers. When I first bought my boat I had a heck of a time getting my cooler in the area behind this step. I had to remove the quarter birth cushions on the left in the picture, and slide the 48 quart cooler in, behind the step each time. Boy what a PITA that was!!! After I modified the step, it became easy to lift my 50 qt. cooler over the mounts after removing the step. Last year I omitted those two quarter birth cushions in those cubby holes under the cockpit seats. They really aren't needed and I gained more space for a second cooler and all my gear. My cabin looks less cluttered now and I have better access to my settee compartments in there.