Folding dinette table

9 posts / 0 new
Last post
plaineolde's picture
plaineolde
Offline
Joined: 11/4/08
Posts: 753
Folding dinette table

Thought I'd post some pics of the folding table I made. We have the U-shaped dinette, and with the factory table, it was difficult for 2 people to pass one another going fore and aft. So I decided to make a folding table over the winter. I brought the old table home for the winter to use as a template, with the pedestal mount still attached. Very helpful to have something to reference.

I made the table from 3/4" teak veneered plywood; couldn't find a half sheet so had to buy a full sheet for > $90 bucks. No mistakes please... Table hinges came from Rockler, those I've found at marine stores are poor quality and aren't even symmetrical on the rounded end. It probably took me longer to make the routing template to recess the hinges, than to make the whole table; but again, didn't want to make any mistakes. I made each side 2" wider than the original, so that when open, it's visibly wider, but not enough that you notice it trying to get past it, or when it's down to make up the berth. The pedestal mount is offset slightly from the starboard edge to allow this, but still exactly the same distance from the port side, so the table can be lowered.

I didn't think the hinges would stand up to my kids leaning on the open side, so I made sliding supports, which are pulled out prior to opening the table. Work nicely. I've put small brass knobs on them since the photos were taken.

It's surprising how much more room there is with the table folded. My wife and kids all commented, the first time they were on the boat. It's much easier to lower the table to make up the berth, as your weight is directly over the pedestal; was always a chore before, to get it down. And the added 4" really make a difference when seated around the table to eat.

One of my more satisfying upgrades, something you actually SEE...!!!!

PS. excuse all the junk in the pics, was still doing spring chores.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

TomSoko's picture
TomSoko
Offline
Joined: 2/15/07
Posts: 978

Gary,
That is a REALLY nice job! It looks beautiful.

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

gforaker's picture
gforaker
Offline
Joined: 7/20/07
Posts: 133

Very nice!

I have no woodworking skills at all.

Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999  C36  #1786
Gypsy Wagon

Steve Frost's picture
Steve Frost
Offline
Joined: 12/14/07
Posts: 788

Lovely job!

Getting around the table on our boats is a pain, the C445 table eliminates this issue, I have been wanting to take measurements to see if that table would fit our C36. It looks to be very close in size.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

plaineolde's picture
plaineolde
Offline
Joined: 11/4/08
Posts: 753

Thanks for the compliments.

As to woodworking skills; mine are modest, but improving now that I'm 'retired'. I've found that success is much like sailing; experience, learning from mistakes and planning ahead. I make lots of mistakes, so learn a lot..!:)

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

BudStreet
Offline
Joined: 9/4/09
Posts: 1127

Very nice indeed! I'm in the same boat (no pun intended) with the woodworking skills, have lots of tools now I just need time to learn more about using them. Hopefully next year I'll have more time to do that. Love the way you did those supports, the ones I did on a smaller folding table are obscene by comparison!!

plaineolde's picture
plaineolde
Offline
Joined: 11/4/08
Posts: 753

well, I have a collection of test support pieces in the scrape bucket in my shop. I may make a dovetail necklace for my daughter :) Watching a woodworking video, the guy said to 'sneak up' on the cut, so I routed the 'male' side a bit at a time, try the fit, adjust, route again, try the fit, until it fit. Great tip.

I love watching guys like Norm on New Yankee Workshop. Not only does he have great tools, and knows how to use them, but he knows how to plan really complex projects. And he still has all of his fingers. A true master.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

Solla Sollew
Offline
Joined: 7/9/08
Posts: 74

I got tired of the original equipment so I did something similar. This is actually the third attempt; the first two were cheap plywood test versions. It’s 1 1/4 inch solid mahogany – sturdy and heavy, but not unreasonably so as compared to the original. The lumber was about $200, the hinges, about $15 ea.
[IMG]http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp202/mrstarbuck/IMG_0258-Copy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp202/mrstarbuck/IMG_0257-Copy.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp202/mrstarbuck/IMG_0256-Copy.jpg[/IMG]

Marc & Susan Garcia
"Solla Sollew" #1473, Mk.II
 San Buenaventura, Ca.

plaineolde's picture
plaineolde
Offline
Joined: 11/4/08
Posts: 753

nice job.! That was my original idea, and also considered the 4 folding corners idea. I settled on the 2 piece folding idea because my main goal was making space to pass fore and aft. Tired of 'dancing' with my wife and kids trying to get to the head. Yours is probably better for getting to the port settee and cabinets. Always a trade off.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

Log in or register to post comments