Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: britinusa on February 14, 2018, 11:58:54 AM

Title: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 14, 2018, 11:58:54 AM
Our boat has an unusual cabin table setup.

The PO raised the Seats around the table and raised the table.

On the plus side, there is tons of storage beneath the raised seats and when sitting at the table we can see out of the windows. And there's additional storage beneath the raised table (it was raised about the same height as the seat base is from the cabin sole.

On the down side, there are no seat backs behind any of the cushions around the table. If sat on the Stbd seat, the chain plate rods are annoying. If sat in front of the galley, there's only about a 6" high bulkhead between the seat and the counter. If sat on the forward most cushion (ie. facing aft) there is no seat back, we just lean against the v-berth bulkhead.

Then the table is rugly, I mean Really Ugly, it has drop leaves on each end that are supported in the up position with metal bars that swing out from the table center. It's a plain ply table with what may be original teak edging.

So... Looking for ideas for replacing the table.

Things I'm considering:
.. Leaves fold up or fold down, but must have leaves as the Admiral has a tough time getting sat at the table.
.. Teak edging or No raised edges. If the sea is rough, then we snack on the setee or in the cockpit rather than sit at the table.
.. Material: Wood, Plastic (yuk), Teak, Ply, Butcher Block.
.. Leaf hinges: Metal, Wooden (cut into table and leaves)

Would really appreciate input and pics if your table is not original.

Thanks.

Paul

Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Fred Koehlmann on February 14, 2018, 12:22:18 PM
Photos would be useful, as always.

As for fold-ability, I always liked the idea of fold into itself. i.e. the underside of the leaf becomes the top side when folded in on top of the fixed section. Take a look at the xx5 series Catalina's. This makes it easy for getting in and out from the dinette.

Depending on how you do it, the fixed section can have a cutlery drawer under it. I like the idea of well varnished wood with teak trim with a lip, to help prevent sliding off the table. With the method I mentioned above, the lip would only be upward when close/folded.

Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: mark_53 on February 14, 2018, 12:56:14 PM
Hi Paul, I have two tables.  One is the OEM table.  The second is cut short on the galley side for easier access.  It is attached to the pedestal with 4 screws.  I use one when by myself, the other when I have guests.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5b4kzd0dpi1snrz/Photo%20Feb%2014%2C%2012%2013%2010%20PM.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5yx9llgomumst9u/Photo%20Feb%2014%2C%2012%2013%2018%20PM.jpg?dl=0
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Ron Hill on February 14, 2018, 02:36:47 PM
Paul : There are commercial hinges for drop leafs that snap into place when the table is up and release to drop the leaf back down.      OR
As I did make underneath sliders that come out to hold the leaf up and then slide back to fold the leaf down.

A few thoughts
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 15, 2018, 06:33:26 AM
Fred: The fold down option we currently have is part of the problem, the leaves fold down reducing leg room needed to get up to or off the seat.

Mark: Nice looking table (one pic just showed a corner) We always have at least 2 of us on the boat, so only one style is required.

Ron: The swing out arms that we currently have are not a good fit (part of the Rugly) but if made and adjusted correctly they would work.

So far I'm leaning towards a Leafed table, Leaves folding up, Supported by swing out arms. The Leaf in the open position would only require the arms to reduce strain on the hinge. Fold up leaves prohibit wood knuckle hinges.

Fiddles are not so much an issue and I prefer a robust table top rather than the thin ply (1/2") we have now.

Rounded corners for obvious reasons, perhaps a modified top center where the leaves fold up to include the rounded corners.

Getting there.

Paul

Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Stu Jackson on February 15, 2018, 08:14:25 AM
Paul,

Aha!  We were wondering how long it would take for you to finally get to the salon table.  It's an issue for almost all of us with Mark I interiors.  :D

I did a ton of research before I pulled the trigger on my modest modification.  You may have done this already, but there are a slew of salon table photographs that skippers have posted, many of which I've tagged for searching with that phrase.

Good luck, the height issue is an intriguing one.  Fred's request for a photo would be interesting to see, hard to visualize although your description was good.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Fred Koehlmann on February 15, 2018, 11:02:17 AM
Paul, I hear you about leaves that drop down getting in the way of knees. That's why I was suggesting leaves that fold up. Our cockpit table on the C34 did just that, and our dining table on the C425 does that also. You'd be looking at having a more solid wood table and different flush type hinges.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 15, 2018, 01:31:23 PM
Fred, exactly.

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Ron Hill on February 15, 2018, 03:01:26 PM
Fred : I did the same thing to my cockpit table. I added turn out braces underneath to help strengthen against people that lean on the fold outs.

Paul : My slid out braces underneath are out of the way wen out holding the leafs in place and disappear when slid IN and the leafs are down.

A thought
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Noah on February 15, 2018, 04:57:52 PM
Fred: how about a pic of your saloon table open...for us geometrically challenged?
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: KWKloeber on February 15, 2018, 07:14:17 PM
noah

excuse the artistic license.  if you draw a rhombus that encompasses the folded table, you have the open table.  Twice the L and W, 4 times the area, and rotate it 45 degrees to use it.

Fred, what supports the leaves?  Pivot out fiddles?

k
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Noah on February 15, 2018, 07:26:49 PM
Ah ha. DUH! It was the rotate step that I missed! Very nice! Get ready to rhombus! 8)
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Fred Koehlmann on February 16, 2018, 01:23:30 PM
I looked and strangely enough, I don't have a picture of the dinette open. I guess every time we opened it we were eating or doing something on the table and I wasn't taking pictures. LOL. However, Ken has the right idea. You basically double the surface area. As for any "supports", it's only the hinges and the thickness of the table edge that holds it up. I would not support my weight on it. When sailing, I would close it up so that no one could accidentally fall against a leaf. It seems fine to put your elbows on, but I wouldn't use it to raise myself out of the seat lets say.

All the new xx5 series of Catalina boats have this design, so you might be able to find a closer picture of the table and hinge somewhere online. I'd have to wait until I get back up north to our snow-covered boat, which unfortunately won't be any weekend soon.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Ken Juul on February 17, 2018, 06:54:19 AM
Another option is to just remove the table.  Really opens up the cabin.  If not eating at the cockpit table, we ate on trays.  We don't play cards or games so it wasn't needed for that. Seldom needed the extra bed, if we did brought it to the boat for the duration.  Try it you might like it.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Ed Shankle on February 17, 2018, 06:57:00 AM
I assume that folding design, or any folding leaf design for that matter, excludes the use of the table as the base for a berth which the original design provides?
Regards,
Ed
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: patrice on February 17, 2018, 04:07:13 PM
Quote from: Ken Juul on February 17, 2018, 06:54:19 AM
Another option is to just remove the table.  Really opens up the cabin.  If not eating at the cockpit table, we ate on trays.  We don't play cards or games so it wasn't needed for that. Seldom needed the extra bed, if we did brought it to the boat for the duration.  Try it you might like it.

Yep.
This is close to what we do.
I made a new table using the original one as template with the side 2in. shorter for easier access around.
But this one sit in the aft room.
I made what we call our cocktail table, it's 12" x 16".  It make the inside bigger.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 17, 2018, 09:45:54 PM
Quote from: Ed Shankle on February 17, 2018, 06:57:00 AM
I assume that folding design, or any folding leaf design for that matter, excludes the use of the table as the base for a berth which the original design provides?
Regards,
Ed

Good point Ed. We have never used the table in the lowered position, but we have the cushion filler to convert the table to a berth.

I see no reason why a folding table could not be lowered, opened up (leaves that fold up or fold down) to complete the berth base.

I'll make sure my design does reach the bench edges on 3 sides for that purpose.

Our table is about 2" wider aft of the mast and I wonder if the original table top was like that? The extra width does not seem worth the limitation on the size of the aft leaf.

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 25, 2018, 09:56:47 AM
Is it just me?

For the past few months, it seems that I have an idea to do something and the next Mainsheet Mag, Good Old Boat Mag or Practical Sailor mag has an article on that very same subject.

This months Mainsheet has an article about the Cabin Table!

I'm moving ahead with this project. Fold up Leaf's will have Flap Hinges and Underside pull out supports. Still figuring surface - Like the light color of Formica, but the class finish of epoxy, and the ease of poly finish.

Does anyone have a picture of the Original table on a 1987 Mk 1 to share?

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: mdidomenico on February 25, 2018, 11:55:36 AM
Quote from: britinusa on February 25, 2018, 09:56:47 AM
Does anyone have a picture of the Original table on a 1987 Mk 1 to share?

if it helps, here's a distant picture of an '89 original table.  i can closer pics next time i'm near the boat.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Stu Jackson on February 25, 2018, 01:22:03 PM
Quote from: britinusa on February 25, 2018, 09:56:47 AM


Does anyone have a picture of the Original table on a 1987 Mk 1 to share?



Paul,  anything in particular you're looking for?

search links -  salon table    saloon table
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 25, 2018, 04:22:09 PM
Thanks Mdid. (?)

Our table is nothing like that!

I'll post a pic as soon as I can.

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Roc on February 26, 2018, 06:15:42 AM
Defender has nice table tops if your budget allows

https://search.defender.com/?expression=teak%20tables&s=1&Trigger=ac

Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: jmcdonald on February 26, 2018, 07:46:21 AM
We went the Defender route a couple years ago. We are lucky enough to get to the boat most weekends.
Having lived with the table for a couple of years, we still love it. Very good compromise between plenty of room in the dinette, and still a large enough table for eating or doing work. On a past thread I posted a picture soon after I installed it.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 27, 2018, 09:54:09 AM
Now if I had the budget...

http://www.teakmarinewoodwork.com/ (http://www.teakmarinewoodwork.com/)

We're spending the weekend on the boat, so I'll take a load of cabin pics including the table.

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Noah on February 27, 2018, 12:29:44 PM
My 1990 OME table has a teak ply/veneer, no formica.  I am going to make a smaller top similar to Stu's new cutdown model. . BTW, last week I replaced my cracked black acrylic sliders with formica/laminate-type product from Nevamar.. I picked a white color, (from a million whites available) that matched my other laminate surfaces aboard.  I reused the handles. Followed others advice on the Forum and glued two pieces back to back and it worked great.  Slides easily, is lighter weight, brighter, and gives the appearance of more space.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Joyride on February 28, 2018, 06:52:33 AM
I always thought the table was just too big and we never used as a bed so I went the simple and cheap route.  I bought a big cutting board on amazon and a spray can of clearcoat and this has really opened up the cabin and made it much more comfortable when you have more than two people in the cabin. 
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on February 28, 2018, 01:24:11 PM
Ok, 1st pic of our existing table.

Just so that you do not crank your neck trying to figure out the layout....

The table is about 13" higher than the original, because all of the surrounding seats are raised.

:D

Here's a link to the rest of the pics (https://photos.app.goo.gl/9U2nMFigHYi383Wy1)
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: patrice on March 01, 2018, 03:37:27 PM
Quote from: Joyride on February 28, 2018, 06:52:33 AM
I always thought the table was just too big and we never used as a bed so I went the simple and cheap route.  I bought a big cutting board on amazon and a spray can of clearcoat and this has really opened up the cabin and made it much more comfortable when you have more than two people in the cabin.

Hi,

This look just like our cocktail table.   :D
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: KWKloeber on March 02, 2018, 09:06:59 AM
Quote from: britinusa on February 28, 2018, 01:24:11 PM
Ok, 1st pic of our existing table.

Just so that you do not crank your neck trying to figure out the layout....

The table is about 13" higher than the original, because all of the surrounding seats are raised.

:D

Here's a link to the rest of the pics (https://photos.app.goo.gl/9U2nMFigHYi383Wy1)

Ok Paul, I'll bite. :?:

Did the PO have LONG legs or a SHORT torso?   :rolling

k
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on March 06, 2018, 07:09:08 AM
Quote from: KWKloeber on March 02, 2018, 09:06:59 AM

Ok Paul, I'll bite. :?:

Did the PO have LONG legs or a SHORT torso?   :rolling

k

:D Neither!

The PO added a raised floor beneath the tale, level with the original seat bases.
That 'deck' has a hole in it that allows the table to be lowered down to the 'new' seats.
Then he added bulkheads athwartships and parallel to the centerline to make additional storage just foward of the battery box (aft seat)

So we have to climb up to the seats.
The Fridge/Freezer compressor is foward of the midships, stbd side water tank, the vent for that is in front of the 'storage box'

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: KWKloeber on March 06, 2018, 12:28:46 PM
Very, VERY UNIQUE to say the least. 

Should we always endeavor to say the least or the most, or something in between?   :donno:
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on March 06, 2018, 04:03:00 PM
Yep, UNIQUE (more or less  :thumb:)

Still working on the table design.

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: britinusa on March 11, 2018, 06:56:50 PM
Latest plan is to include a C34 logo on the table top.

I'll need to print it using a laser printer and the higher res the better.

Anyone got a nice clean large pic of the C34 logo?

Paul
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Ken Juul on April 12, 2018, 09:16:29 AM
Admiral decided she wanted a table again.  Rather than cut down the original table, I went to a used furniture store and found an end table.  Cut off the sides, added end fiddles and inlaid some tiles. Fiddles are wider than I really wanted, but cutting them down was too much work.  Admiral is happy so I am happy 8)
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: Indian Falls on April 15, 2018, 03:29:51 PM
This is my low budget table solution.
It started out as a cherry glue up I did for a head board for a single bed.  It never got finished so one day I just took to it and laid out an ellipse that was as large as possible 36x19 I think.  It swivels on the pedestal for easy access and is perfect for 2 eating at the table and perfect for 4 doing cocktails etc...   we never eat below underway. 
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: scgunner on April 18, 2018, 08:10:07 AM
      Folks,

        I just have to say how enjoyable this thread has been. I've been thinking about a table modification for better access for a while. I think you guys have come up with some amazing and innovative  ideas for approaching this problem.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: scgunner on May 05, 2018, 10:15:50 AM
     I made a teak tabletop that is 4" shorter on all sides for ease of access to the seating. I was pleasantly surprised to find when it is lowered it still provides enough support for the center cushion to use a berth. Also while in the midst of this project it occurred to me that it might just be better to remove the pedestal/tabletop and just have a wide open salon.
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: rmbrown on May 05, 2018, 08:08:41 PM
Anybody got a picture of the cushion(s) used to convert the table to a bed?
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: sailr4 on May 07, 2018, 06:34:25 AM
Here you go...
Title: Re: Cabin Table
Post by: rmbrown on May 07, 2018, 09:42:19 AM
Thanks!