Cockpit table

[pcschultz]

I own a Cape Dory 25D with tiller steering. I need advice on a good stowable cockpit dining table I can purchase and install.

[Neil Gordon]

I haven't done anything at dining table height. I made an easily stowable cocktail height table that's good for holding drinks and nibbles though. It's worked well for casual dinners. It's simply a 1/4" plywood slat. It slips under the cockpit cushions on either side and bridges the cockpit seats. It's low enough to step over (but watch the wine glasses). It has some bracing for stiffness and also to keep it in place between the seats. The cockpit's not quite rectangular and it's sized so it fits anywhere.

[barfwinkle]

Good Morning Capt Schultz

I have toyed with a design that would fit in the companion way and protrude out over the foot well of the cockpit, however, it would make accessing the cabin while in place a bit dicey. That is why I haven't progressed in the planning/building phase.

So for now I use a little plastic folding table like the one pictures below. It can be stored in the port locker or left dockside for day sailing. Not the best solution, but I haven't found much else. I guess you could build one that attaches to the aft end of the cockpit some way? If you come up with something please share?

Fair Winds

[Duncan]

I've had my eye on this one listed at West Marine.
I don't really want the top, just the rest of it, to use with my saloon table:

[img]http://images.westmarine.com/full/28063_f.jpg[/img]

They have a flush-mount base for these:

[img]http://images.westmarine.com/full/138771.jpg[/img]

My CD27 has a similar post setup for the saloon table.
I'm thinking of installing a flush base in the cockpit, and using the same table and post in either location.

[rtbates]

Seraph has a shortened leg that fits in the same socket on the salon table. The rear edge of the salon table is then supported by the teak trim in the cockpit aft, right in front of the mainsheet traveler. An adapter piece was made to hold the table's end via the teak trim.

[barfwinkle]

Hey Randy do you have a pic of your table?

TIA

Bill

[rtbates]

Hey Randy do you have a pic of your table?

TIA

Bill

I'm not sure. I'll see what I can find or take some next weekend, IF I can remember the camera!

[Dick Kobayashi]

Before trying anything new - try the salon table - it does straddle the aft end of the cockpit with the tiller up quite nicely. Since my use is infrequent it has proved an adequate solution. Not such a different solution from Randy's and Neil's

[pcschultz]

Thank you all for some very useful ideas. I will especially follow up with the West Marine recessed bracket and fit it to the saloon table pedestal. Looks like a great fix with minimum extra gear aboard.
Happy sailing to all,
Peter Schultz

[Bruce Ebling]

This is a photo of a cockpit table I picked up somewhere online. I always thought it was a great idea and someday I plan on upgrading Selah with a similar setup.




Bruce Ebling

[Dean Abramson]

Hi Bruce,

That boat is Mariah, which we previously owned; it is now owned by Dennis and Susan Ryan. I took that photo.

That is the same table and post that come stock in the interior of CD25Ds. The guy I bought the boat from had put that socket in the cockpit, to stick the post in. It's the same table, just moved outside when needed.

All I did was set the table with those swank upscale dishes.

Dean

[Bruce Ebling]

Dean: Ahh; the mystery of the unknown photo is now solved! Do you know if the socket in the cockpit is flush with the floor? I may try to run down a source for a similar socket before launching this spring. Here in Eugene OR it is still cold. I have been going through Selah's wiring trying to solve some gremlins. Thanks for the reply.
Bruce

[Dean Abramson]

Hi Bruce,

I found this closeup shot. As you can see the flange is above the sole, but it was never enough to trip on. Has smooth rounded edges.

I loved that table! It is so clever how putting the post over in the corner created this asymmetrical load and tension, which keeps the table stable. It's counter-intuitive, almost. And the way it stores above the quarter berth is so efficient. And the way you can easily swing it to one side. We usually had it swung over the port side berth while one of us sat there and, say, chopped vegetables and the other cooked in the galley. It kept the path clear for coming and going. Then we swung it into the center for the meal.

We now have a big permanent table in our CD31; it is nice. But for in the cockpit, our current pedestal-mounted swing-up tablette doesn't hold a dime store candle to that rascal. Four people could have a proper sit-down meal in the cockpit on the 25D, but not now.

I am afraid I have no idea where that socket piece came from, or what its normal intended use is.

Dean

[img]http://www.mainephoto.com/folios/Mariah060419-048.jpg[/img]

[Sea Hunt]

A quick question about the cockpit floor and location of the table on the CD 25D.

I looked at a 1982 CD 25D a while ago. The pump out for the holding tank was located in the port side forward cockpit floor in exactly the position where the table flange is in the pictures of S/V Mariah . I thought this location for the pump out hose, etc. to be unusual as I remember the pump out cover being on the deck port side. I have tried to look at pictures of CD 25Ds I have taken but my poor photography does not show this section of the cockpit.

So, what's the standard (OEM) location for the pump out hose, cover plate, etc., on a CD 25D

My apologies for this "side thread".

[Dean Abramson]

I think that the hole that was there had been for a pump-out. That predated the guy I bought the boat from (I was owner #3), but I think my PO said that his PO had had a pumpout fitting there.

I don't know what was "standard." I looked at very few boats before we bought Mariah (then called Andante).

Dean