Retired from newspapers and television, currently sailing Thelonious II, a 1984 Ericson 381.
Do you seldom or never convert the settee to a double berth? Is your factory saloon table difficult to slide under? Is the cockpit table a PITA, even for sandwiches made of pita?
In my case the answer was “yes” three times. So I adapted the heavy teak cockpit table for use belowdecks, and put the big saloon table in the garage.
On our 32-3 a cockpit table is a bit much. Good for dining al fresco, but when set up the cockpit is cramped and the supporting leg is easily kicked out. When folded down against the rail guard it’s an imposing mass of teak. We were unlikely to use it much.
Furthermore, I had a hard time sliding into the saloon settee. That table top has to be large enough to also serve as the double-berth insert. Not an optimal shape, at least for me, for a banquette surface. My spouse, at 5’4”, had no problem with the design, but she doesn’t have size 13 feet.
Our cockpit table had a cupholder unit on top. I left that part attached to the binnacle.
The only alteration of the table for inside use was a radius for two square corners and a few coats of varnish. Unfolded, it makes a pretty large surface for dinner. Closed, it’s pleasingly sturdy as a result of the reduction in lever arm.
This was one of the best and easiest changes we've made. It’s now substantially easier to grab a seat below, whether in the slip or heeled over.
In my case the answer was “yes” three times. So I adapted the heavy teak cockpit table for use belowdecks, and put the big saloon table in the garage.
On our 32-3 a cockpit table is a bit much. Good for dining al fresco, but when set up the cockpit is cramped and the supporting leg is easily kicked out. When folded down against the rail guard it’s an imposing mass of teak. We were unlikely to use it much.
Furthermore, I had a hard time sliding into the saloon settee. That table top has to be large enough to also serve as the double-berth insert. Not an optimal shape, at least for me, for a banquette surface. My spouse, at 5’4”, had no problem with the design, but she doesn’t have size 13 feet.
Our cockpit table had a cupholder unit on top. I left that part attached to the binnacle.
The only alteration of the table for inside use was a radius for two square corners and a few coats of varnish. Unfolded, it makes a pretty large surface for dinner. Closed, it’s pleasingly sturdy as a result of the reduction in lever arm.
This was one of the best and easiest changes we've made. It’s now substantially easier to grab a seat below, whether in the slip or heeled over.
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