Yes they did, I cannot imagine why they did not put it in earlier. The framing is all there already. All you have to do is cut the deck out, staple down the carpet and add a lip to the hole.
The hatch area is between the engines, about 2' wide x 4' long, or thereabouts. I could be off a little but it's a huge space between the engines.
Kevin - pictures, please!
Some 45' and larger boats I have looked at for potential ownership were too often outfitted with just a crawl-in engine compartment, where cramped sitting or kneeling was all that one could do. And, no chance for natural light. With some effort, many could have had their salon sole "hatched" for much better ER access. In some it would be substantial flooring refit. One of my Tippy-Top criteria (I have a few - lol) for any boat I own is easy engine and other important equipment access. If I can't stand up straight, have really good light, and ample room to work at least relatively easily in a boat's ER... that boat will not be mine.
I find it hard to understand how boat designers/builders can feel it is OK to make working in ER a cramped, uncomfortable experience. Guess they figure not their problem... out of sight - out of mind! All they see/experience is everything new and in perfect order when the boats exit their shop. The minimal flooring design improvement and on-site build-out fabrication it would take to make for easy, open ER access should add a great selling point for dealers too. In addition to making life more generally enjoyable for owners who perform most of their own maintenance and simple repairs the ER “openness” feature would save money and make for better job follow-through when marine mechanics need to be employed.
Heck, if you can’t quickly get full, easy access to your engines and other important equipment… then, IMO, and for many reasons… a boat’s captain/crew is to a large extent hobbled; especially if an ER emergency arises under any sea conditions.
Have a Joyful New Year Weekend! We go to boat this morning...
Happy ER Daze! - Art