helmsman's seats

I am seriously considering buying a 430e but have yet to see a satisfactory helmsmans seating or boarding platform - two missing components which are putting offf my wife. The 430 is undoubtedly 'Wally-like' and so perhaps someone could emulate their cantilevered seating, it looks great and is so practical. Their's is carbon but it doesnt have to be so esoteric. I would like to see photos of boarding platforms that owners have devised also.

Another Pic

Great pictures and a really good view of the very exposed stern. Which leaves the question of vulnerability to following waves rather open. The greatest risk is surely from one of those awkward seas which comes in from an angle (could be a wash from a big boat, on top of the normal wave structure) and you could get a lot of water down below. Or is there some simple point I'm missing? Has anyone sailed one and found a problem? And the lack of helmsmans seating? I know I'm a wimp but sometimes even I like to sit down!

Can I suggest you to read the different topics and threads  about the open stern in the 461/470 section.  Some of them got experience with it.
As far I can see from my visits, the cockpit floor of the 430 is 82cm above the waterline and the volume of the stern is very large. I would mainly mind about the lack of valuable handhold, which could be sorted out easily.

Alain