Table pedestal

[ghebbns]

Hi all,
When I bought my boat over a decade ago, the teak and holly floors needed replacing.  My father and I did it ourselves, but I now realize that we should have cutout a hole in the board under the table for the table pedestal.  I have always had to remove the pedestal when I lower the table to create a berth as it was too high.

Not a big deal to cut a whole in the floor board (the hole is already in the sole of the boat), but not exactly sure if the bottom of the pedestal just rests on the bottom of the boat?  Basically just wondering how the pedestal typically works.

Thanks

[Stu Jackson]

My pedestal just sits on top of the t&h under the table, when lowered the table sits in the runners just fine.

[scgunner]

ghebbns,

Depending on what you want there are a number of different approaches to the table which have been discussed on this board. The pedestal is telescopic, spring loaded but doesn't rest on the bottom of the boat it does extend through the deck though I think mainly to stabilize it. I wouldn't cut the hole in the floorboard until you know what you want to do. Some people have cut the table down or made a hinged folding leaf to make the area more accessible which was also my first thought. I didn't want to cut the table down so I made a smaller version out of teak, it looked really nice and could still be used under the cushion for the bed. An interesting thing was while the table and pedestal were out I noticed how nicely it opened up the whole main cabin so I decided to eliminate it altogether.Now I just use the table top for the bed and when not in use store it with the cushion.

[Ron Hill]

gheb : You shouldn't have to cut a hole in the T/H flooring. The table (if you have an original table??) should lower itself so it rests on the runners forward, side ,and aft portions of the salon seating frame.

You might want to remove the pedestal mechanism and check it!!

A few thoughts

[krafty81]

My table is wobbly and I can't figure out how to brace it. The base part wobbles.

[Jim Hardesty]

My table is wobbly and I can't figure out how to brace it. The base part wobbles.

There're some attempted fixes written up here, search and read but none really stops the wobble.  I got tired of the wobble and put a brace under the table to the compression post. No more wobble, can cut a steak without spilling wine.   A couple of taped holes into the compression post and one screw on the bottom of the table.  Can't see the mod, hasn't been a problem for me, and if I do want to move the table it's only one screw.
Tried to post pictures, but not working like it used to.  Darn computer "upgrades".
Jim

Did load pictures.  One other thing I did was a wrap of shelf liner, the course weave foam stuff, around the compression post under the vinal cover.  Helps to keep the cover in place.  Also put a small piece of gorilla tape where I cut the cover for the brace.  Thinking was to stop any tearing.  So far, it's worked. 

[ghebbns]

Thanks for all the replies.  I must have a non-standard setup.  While the post is telescoping, it is not spring loaded.  And the bottom part of the post is approximately 4 inches longer than the height of the runners so the only way to lower it while still attached would be for it to go through the floor.  I have just been removing the pedestal all together but looking for a better solution.

[Ron Hill]

ghe : Why don't you take that post apart and see if there is a problem with the piston??  It should compress and expand easily!!

A thought

[Noah]

My 1990 goes through the floor.

[ghebbns]

Thanks Noah.  Does yours go right to the hull?  Does it sit on anything?

[Joe Heyman]

My 1990 goes through the floor, does not sit on the hull.  I just replaced the cabin sole underneath the pedestal and re screwed the base. If the table is wobbly you may need to tighten the screws holding it in place.  The "spring" is actually a piston inside the table base. If the piston is not in the table base it is probably expensive to replace.