Not sure I totally follow JB, are your talking about where everyone faced towards the dog house, almost like it is a table? That may not be what you are talking about, but an interesting idea.
Sam, the dog house is about 4" taller, so it would stick up quite a ways.....6" or so.
Josh, I have toyed with that, just not sure how it will look. I'll take a couple of photos of it, the gunnels stick up a couple inches above the "deck" area on each side of the dog house. I think the dog house is an inch or two above the gunnels. I think it will look cleanest if the padded deck is flush with the gunnels on the side. I could build it up to be taller than the dog house like Sam suggested, but I think it will look funny from the side.
I was also thinking about the upper raised deck in front of the bow.....its sort of a casting deck or something. I really haven't come up with a use for it. (other than a hot tub). I was just thinking after Sam mentioned removable, that might be a place for a sun deck. Maybe a goofy idea, but its some unused real estate. Keeping the back simple might be the best idea! Actually keeping it all simple is a good idea, lol