Stuart,
I'm new to J 24s but from what I can gather an igloo cooler with a wood laminate on the lid serves for a step up fron the cabin to the cockpit.
My boat is a '79, # 252 and that is what she came with and I assume it is the stock set up.
The cooler fits between the bunks to prevent lateral movement and has battens fore and aft arranged to prenent movement fore and aft.
Maybe some of the owners will respond with what they have in their boats. Maybe there is a ladder.
Fair winds,
Walter |