How to Lower Cabin Table for Bed

silverbeard · Oct 24, 2013

If you have not looked in the little compartment in the table top that is forward of the mast, look in there and you will see a t-handle which must be loosened before dropping the table. Something odd in the last picture is that there is stud of some sorts sticking out of the compression post which could prevent the table from dropping all the way down. Does the table move at all?

Phil P · Oct 25, 2013

Those little screws at the base of the sleeve also press in against the post. All of this is likely to no avail however as with our vintage boats, years of leakage from the mast down into the column plus salt air have likely rusted and fused the counterweight that's inside the column to the column inner wall.

silverbeard · Oct 25, 2013

Phil P said:
Those little screws at the base of the sleeve also press in against the post. All of this is likely to no avail however as with our vintage boats, years of leakage from the mast down into the column plus salt air have likely rusted and fused the counterweight that's inside the column to the column inner wall.

I missed seeing the screws in the sleeve. They, most likely, are what's preventing the table from moving. Also, even if the counterweight is froze inside the column, the table should move up. If you pull on the rope, the counterweight should move. If not, the table should move up and down with the rope untied.

MetricMountie · Oct 25, 2013

Zoom
With leakage around the exterior of the compression post, the table may be frozen to the post. The interior of the sleeve around the compression post has a rubber gasket in it and after years of having the table locked in one position for dining only the gasket hardens and locks to the post. The only way I found to found to free it was to remove the table from the mount and then slowly work it free by moving it round and round the post and up and down little by little until it freed up. The bolt through the post belowthe table will not prevent the table from reaching the bed position on the sette but it will stop the counter weight from moving past that point.

The counter weight should move freely in the compression post and is there to assist in moving the weight of the table up and down. I modified my table as per the example on this website and can now move table down for a bunk and up to the coach roof so we have no obstructions in the cabin when we're underway. We move the table to a medium height position so that we can chart on it. all in all the mods have worked well.

MetricMountie · Nov 10, 2013

The mod to the table is listed in the Boat Info section under Hunter Owner Modifications - listed under 35.5 total mods equal 27.

Rob, if you figure the line attached to the counterweight is well attached I'd give it a few good hard tugs to see if it will free up. If it does move keep on moving it little by little and it should finally move from top to bottom. If the mast is down removing the compression post is not a big deal, the weight can be moved then and the interior of the post and the weight can be cleaned up then. The table will move freely less the weight but will just take a bit more effort. Let me know how you do, Karl

artboas · Nov 11, 2013

Compression post weight

Zoom767 said:
Thanks Karl,

I'll give this a try

Rob

I had a 40.5 which was in fresh water
Never had a problem with the counter weight, but I could see that happening.
Firstly, one problem was that on my 40.5, there was no drain hole at the bottom of the compression post.
Water literally gathered in it half way up.
When I drilled a 1/4" hole, a fountain came out.
I would try spraying a whole whack of PB Blaster down the inside of the post. You might need to drill a few 1/8" holes above the weight to let the spray nozzle in.
Do this for a whole week. Try to get a bit of movement with the rope.
You could also take a heat gun to the post in the area of the weight after spraying. Aluminum expands a fair bit with heat, plus it might break down the crud
Good luck

smoothsailing · Nov 19, 2013

I have the same problem with the counter weight. Sprayed PB Blaster. Going down to the boat today.

Will follow up an this post

Bill

smoothsailing · Nov 21, 2013

Went down to the boat to check on stuck counter weight after a can of PB. Still stuck.

This time I will spray the can empty into a jar. A lot easier. Its about a cup and a half of PB. I will pour the contents into the opening by the rope roller and give it about 2 weeks to work.

smoothsailing · Dec 26, 2013

Rob,

Poured the whole can in a couple of weeks ago. Have not been there since, busy, holidays.

As soon as I do I will post results

Bill

How to Lower Cabin Table for Bed

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