Table modifications
We were getting ready to haul Java for the winter today and one of the things was to remove the table for re-finishing. After I got the table out, the quot;Admiralquot; declared that there is a lot of space there, wish there was a way to get that table out of the way. She remembers looking at the Catalina's table arrangnment that stores up against the bulkhead. I'm even thinking about cutting 2-3 inches all the way around the seating side to make it smaller. We have no plans of using this space as an extra sleep spot, so that is not a consideration. Has Anyone modified their table? Any recomendations? Jim S/V JavaI'm taking 3quot; off the table on my 37.5 and adding a drop leaf hinge to the fixed side. It's amazing how much room you can gain by reducing the size. Like you, I don't plan to sleep anyone on that table and, in fact, by making the other side drop leaf, I can comfortably sleep someone on the side settee. I got a big piece of cardboard and made a templace of my new table. Haven't gotten the wood but working on that. I plan to save the original table in tact for re-sell purposes.
I am also interested in making a modification to the table in my 356. However, I have been unable to come up with a satisfactory design Please keep me posted on what you do e-mail: captain@burnsweb.com or go to my web site and e-mail me from there www.mastconfusion.com Thanks
Same thing with my Hunter 34. The full sized table took up too much space, especially since we rarely had more than two people to feed. I have removed the original table and will keep it in the garage (for the next owner). I made a new table which folds in half. When in two-person mode, the two halves rest on top of each other, giving us back half of the space taken up by the full table. When we need to feed more than two people, we open up the table to the full origianl size. There is a piano hinge that allows the two halves to fold together (like a closed book) and open up when needed. I would be happy to provide more detail if anyone is interested. Gary
The table is pretty, but cumbersome. We actually took it out once and went tableless for a couple of months...only missed it when eating larger meals. We have looked at replacing it with commercially available teak tables that come with fold up/down leaves (about $400 or so). But you have raised an even heavier problem. We think that not only should the table be removed, but the seating area be reworked to have a dinette arrangement, three people on a side and nobody against the window area. Means moving A/C unit and refrigeration, but hey who needs the $thousands it would cost to do it. Starting with the table is an excellent idea, but then the seats would be too far away. Please keep us posted on what you adtually decide!
The table on our 340 is also too big in general and makes it difficult getting into, out of, and around the dinette. Several months ago while spending the night on the boat my wife asked me to lower the table and put in the foam insert just to see how comfortable it might be. We haven't raised it since, except for some general transducer and bilge maintenance. It is actually like a big couch that we can spread out on and it is quite comfortable. The table is still too wide and I would like to cut some off to make it easier to pass by, but we enjoy the table down. Looks a bit nontraditional having it down with the inset in, but we didn't use the table much and like the additional lazy comfort this provides. Rob
Gary, Could you please forward more info on your table. Mine drives me crazy. By the way spent the weekend in Oriental,great place, how do you like it? Paul
We modified the table binnacle on our 410 so that we could pop the table out easily. Now, when we want to have friends over for an after-dinner glass of port, we store the table on the pullman berth in the forward cabin. People are a lot more comfortable sitting on the seatee in party mode when they're not quot;trappedquot; by others sitting to either side.
Gary, Second vote for a link or photos of your mod, sounds interesting (and pretty smart)
We built a new table for our 1989 hunter 30 that is about 5 or 6 inches smaller all the way around. Basically the edge of the table lines up vertically with the edge of the seat cushions and does not hang out into the passageway. Since the support is off center the table can be swung around to make it closer to the port side seating. One idea is to take a piece of 3/4 material (plywood maybe) and experiment with different size tables until you come up with one you like.
We were on the boat this weekend and played around with the table. Even tried what Rob suggested about lowering and leaving. Also looked at removing it all together. She said nice but no go. So the attached picture is what I'm going to do over winter. Shrink the table.*! The outside line is the original table and the inner is what it is going to become. The table will reduce anywhere from 3-4 inches. Plan to place a fiddle on it to keep things on the table. Will post picture of the completed table. *5 Jim S/V Java
There are several different table mounts on Hunters over the years. My 2000 passage 450 has the table mounted on a sliding sleeve around the compression post held in place with a pin. It could be lowered to form a berth by sliding the sleeve down the post and placing the pin in another hole. I thought that could be done in reverse and had a hole drilled in the post near the ceiling so I could slide the table all the way up and pin it there. Guests don't even notice the table when it is up and it gives a huge area for entertaining. Just about the best and easiest thing I ever did to my boat. I hate sliding around tables.
You indicated that you modified the binnacle on your 410 so you can remove the table easily for storage forward. I have a 1998 410 and have looked at doing the same many times. Since you have done it would you be willing to share the quot;howquot;. Thanks.
I am interested in the table issue. Has anyone heard from Gary from NC? I sent him an email but have not had a response.
I don't have any photos of the actual new table with me, but I'll include a mockup I made out of bits of the H34 brochure artwork. In the attached photo, you'll see two overhead images, the one on top shows the table config we use most of the time. In this view, the two IDENTICAL halves of the table are resting on top of each other. The two halves are joined with a stainless piano hinge allowing them to fold together (like a closed book) to form this half-size table. The starboard side of the table is attached at the original table attachment points (I reused the hardware from the original table) and is supported by a new wooden leg (1quot; dowel at the moment, needs to be something better). The lower image shows how we use the table when we want more space for a larger dinner crowd or more room to play games, work on projects, etc. The two halves of the table are now unfolded (like an open book) and we support the section along the centerline of the boat using the original table leg in the floor mounted receiver. The extra new leg mentioned above remains in place. You'll note the table edge along the boat's centerline is not even. That's because it had to be cut to match the uneven starboard edge where the table meets the bookshelves. I struggled with this, but it was the only easy way to make sure the two halves form a single, usable surface when they were closed together. In reality, it doesn't look bad on the boat at all. The things I like about this are that most of the time, we only need to feed two people. We much prefer the extra floor space afforded by a table half the size. When needed, we can easily open it up to the original size. This table, when opened can now drop down and rest on the two dinette seats and allow you to still convert this to a double bed. I made this from high quality 1/2quot; plywood (not marine grade). I may regret that decision later on, but for now, it is well sealed and working fine. I kept the original table in my garage in case the next owner prefers that configuration. I'll try to take photos next time I am there. Gary
We lowered ours just like Rob in alameda. With the foam insert in it makes a wonderful couch and at 6'4, easy sleeping for my teenager. Also very nice for an evening toddie after a long day of open water therapy. As far as eating goes, we found the cutting boards and stove top cover make wonderful tv trays. If your still limber enough to sit indian style, tis great. My wife modified the quot;halyardquot; by putting two small cleats on the bottom of the table, since our weight binded on occasion. Just set the height and tie it off. Handy storage underneath the table also (as long as your on the starboard tack).
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