If you own a 2005 or newer 260DA and have been searching for your "Designated Storage" area that Sea Ray says you have for your cockpit table...............don't bother looking. You won't find it because it doesn't exist even though all their advertising and their web site says it does. The only place where you can store the table is in the bow under the bow cushion. It's the only place it will fit but it's also unpadded under the bow and very inconvenient to get too as well. The table will not fit in the cabin locker like it did on the 2004 and older models and there is no space for it on the underside of the engine hatch either. So here is what you can do if you have a mind to. I created my own "designated storage" with some left over lumber I had at home. I used pieces of 2x6 and 1x6 and primed and painted everything. I suppose you could use Starboard too but I am sure mine will hold up pretty well as it is.
This picture shows the table holder and mounting board. The black padding you see is sticky back foam cut out of of sheet normally used for craft projects (available at any craft store or at Wal Mart for less than a buck) The table rests on the two tapered ends which have the padding on them. There is another piece of padding on the inside on the lower part of one of the sides. This "locks" the table in place when you set it in the table holder.
The next photos shows the area on the boat where I mounted the table holder. There is a space right next to the water heater which doesn't interfere with any thing and the table is far enough away from the engine so that won't be a problem either. The table can be easily placed in or pulled out of the table holder without having to step into the bilge.
As far as the pole goes, there is already a place for that in the cabin closet or under the bunk in the v-berth. So you don't have to move that if you don't want to. However I decided to move mine and I removed the brackets under the bunk (which cleans up that storage area nicely.) I mounted the brackets on the starboard side just above the holding tank. Here is a picture of that too. (Unfortunately, you do have to step down into the bilge though to remove the pole).
All in all it was a pretty easy project and turned out nicely. If anyone has any questions, I'll try to answer them.
This picture shows the table holder and mounting board. The black padding you see is sticky back foam cut out of of sheet normally used for craft projects (available at any craft store or at Wal Mart for less than a buck) The table rests on the two tapered ends which have the padding on them. There is another piece of padding on the inside on the lower part of one of the sides. This "locks" the table in place when you set it in the table holder.
The next photos shows the area on the boat where I mounted the table holder. There is a space right next to the water heater which doesn't interfere with any thing and the table is far enough away from the engine so that won't be a problem either. The table can be easily placed in or pulled out of the table holder without having to step into the bilge.
As far as the pole goes, there is already a place for that in the cabin closet or under the bunk in the v-berth. So you don't have to move that if you don't want to. However I decided to move mine and I removed the brackets under the bunk (which cleans up that storage area nicely.) I mounted the brackets on the starboard side just above the holding tank. Here is a picture of that too. (Unfortunately, you do have to step down into the bilge though to remove the pole).
All in all it was a pretty easy project and turned out nicely. If anyone has any questions, I'll try to answer them.