Bilge Access w/ live well in Stern

[thedink9]

My '85 has the large live well in the stern which severely limits my bilge access. With the well installed my access is limited to a small 10x14 bomar hatch in the engine splash well. I'm not confortable with this layout and want to change it. I really don't need the live well and am thinking about changing it into an in deck storage compartment but need some advice on reworking the outer edges, turning them into drain gutters etc. The hatch, which contains the well, as one large assembly,is roughly 4ft. square and that would most likely need to be cut in half as well. Have any of you CSY vintage 23 owners make modifications as I've described? All suggestions are welcome. Dink