v berth table support ideas

[mdolesh]

Our table in the v berth lowers and becomes a bed. Its a big table and I am looking for a solution to help eliminate some of the stress on the base when climbing in and out of bed (kids). I was thinking of some sort of adjustable tension pole similar to a shower curtain rod... does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[dtfeld]

 

[mdolesh]

That looks nice...but they are proud of that thing arent they...$53!?

 

[Lazy Daze]

That looks nice...but they are proud of that thing arent they...$53!?

Those are very sturdy, SS legs. Good quality and strong. Considering prices of most things lately... that's actually quite good!

So the assumption is that the ONLY way that table is supported is by the short table leg? Does the table not also sit onto some type of chocks or ledge around the perimeter?

You could certainly add two chocks onto the vertical surface under the port and stbd side of the front of the table. Then a support bar would insert into the chocks to fully support the front of the table. On the cheap, you can do this with two wood blocks and a 1"x2". Or a 1"x2" aluminum beam and whatever type of chock system you want to make or buy. Or do the "ledge" idea with a 1"x. A piece of stained mahogany (or whatever) is another idea.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I have those same legs on my foldup transom seat. They are not very long. About the size of a forearm.

 

[mdolesh]

The table is only supported by the large adjustable pedestal. It does not sit on any chocks or any ledge when in the lower position. Here is a picture.

 

[mdolesh]

 

[Lazy Daze]

OK, so that's pretty nice looking. You probably don't want to use a piece of wood from the rack at Home Depot!

I think two small chocks with an aluminum cross bar (or a nice looking piece of matching/stained hardwood) would look nice and be relatively easy to do.

 

[Lazy Daze]

'Course, you could go practically free and just wedge a 2x on end underneath the table each time.

 

[mdolesh]

I was thinking about that also...maybe 2 sections of 4x4 so they wont tip over as easily...?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I was thinking about that also...maybe 2 sections of 4x4 so they wont tip over as easily...?

There's really any number of ways this can be done on the cheap. I'm not sure one way is really any better than the other - it's more about what makes sense to you. Experiment - see what works and what you like/don't like - you can always change/improve it.

 

[Fill Ess]

Was just thinking .... I got the sun lounge on the Whaler which is a filler cushion between the front seat and bow seating. It has 2 fold down legs. Since you have the pedestal in the middle, depending upon how close the edge of the table is to the seating when it's in place, you could do small blocks on the edge to support the edge of the table

 

[mdolesh]

Not as pretty as I wanted, but it works great! I might paint the 2x4s black so it looks a little cleaners. The best part is they break down easily to store.

 

[b_arrington]

Not as pretty as I wanted, but it works great! I might paint the 2x4s black so it looks a little cleaners. The best part is they break down easily to store.

Nice idea. If you wanted to get rid of the feet, you could get a can of Plasti-Dip and coat the bottoms of the 2x4s with it. Could do the top too, for a little more friction that protects the bottom of the table.