Jim and Joan - there are some pics on the cockpit modification line here of removable benches across the aft cockpit of 22's. It should not be difficult to make a slide-in, hinged type thing running along the sides and maybe you could make one with the dual use as a ramp to the beach.
I think the sailboat cushions stem from several key things: 1- you have to sit back there to steer the boat and handle the sails. 1- you have to be able to to that from both sides due to varying visability, etc, from the different tacks, 3- the displacement sail hull gets shallow and there is not much of an even, walkable floor plane available.
The flat aft section of the C-Dory provides maximum, flat, aft real estate which is coveted in fishing, crabbing, diving, crowded situations. You can put whatever you want back there, but I think most ppl will want to split their time from visiting with the helm, to lounging in the cockpit.
Not related.... I have a son living in Houston now and am anticipating taking my new C-Ranger down there sometime in the next year. I have not sailed Galveston area for decades, so am rusty on the layout. Is it a long way offshore to suitable fishing? Is it still really shallow for a long way out?
thanks, John