Need a little help please

[jaxmariner]

Hello. I recently purchased a "fixer-upper" 1977 Catalina 27 dinette model - my first sailboat. Unfortunately the dinette table, table support post, and cushions are all missing. I am looking for advice on how best to replace these items. I have had no luck in finding any of these items in used condition in my searches on the internet and at a few marinas. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction? I am also inclined to fabricate (as much as possible) these items myself and was hoping that maybe someone out there could give me some dimensions and suggestions for materials best suited for such a project.
Thanks for reading my post and ANY helpful info will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

 

[Faris]

Hi,

I have that same model and can probably help out as you move along. The table dimensions are easy to figure out since the table is designed to convert into a berth, fitting perfectly into the lips on the edges of the dinette seats. Something like 1/2" thick is about right. The support leg I have is not the original, and I am not happy with the solution. What I do like is that the 12" or so of the table closest to the keel is designed to fold down if you slide the support leg in about 12". This gives a little more elbow room when you don't need the table space.

Cushions: I can describe what the factory cushions are like, but I think there is a great deal of room for improvement. There were several decisions that were made that don't make a lot of sense - at least in my 1972. Maybe they improved on this later. My main complaints are:
- The starboard aft quarter berth is covered by a single cushion. This makes access to the lockers underneath a pain. I feel like there should be one cushion over the locker cover, and another over the rest of the berth.
- On the port side quarter berth and seat, the cushions are divided, but not in the right place. Removing the seat cushion leaves the long berth cushion overlapping the end of the locker cover by about 6".
- And, this cushion is meant to go on the dinette table to convert that into a berth. It is substantially longer than the other cushions. It's still functional for that purpose, but sticks out into the aisle a bit.
- In the V-berth, you have to lift both full-length cushions up to get at the locker underneath.

So, I would just make the cushions to your liking. We're completely redoing ours. They're 40 years old, so it's about time anyway.

 

[Joe]

Call Catalina Yachts customer service....... the number is on the factory website.... it's switch board so you'll have to ask for parts or customer service dept. www.catalinayachts.com

You'll find lots of information on the owner's website.... www.catalina27.org

 

[jrowan]

If you're in Jacksonville, then you probably have a host of marinas within driving distance that U can hunt down old, abandoned boats (perhaps a few Catalinas) that the marina may let u part out for the parts that U need. I have never bought a boat that had the original cabin table. Anything that is removable can walk & is usually rotting away in some guys basement who was going to "refinish" it 20 years ago. U may have to make your own. Most 25 to 27 foot sailboats are all remarkably similar in design: V berth forward, double setees running the length of the main saloon, aft quarterbirth. If your on a budget then hunt these items down, & make them work to fit your needs. If U find good cushions with foam thats reusable then recover them with cheaper sunbrella type outdoor fabric sold at the Mallwort fabric isle. Find a cheap dining table that's solid wood at a flea market or thrift store, cut it down to fit, & apply a ton of marine varnish to seal it. Upgrade as your budget affords. Sails, a working engine, rigging & hull are your first priorities. Without that its not a sailboat, just a birds nest. Good luck & post your progress.

 

[jaxmariner]

Thanks for all the advice.
Faris - How does the folding table work? Does it have some sort of locking hinge? The pedestal for the post is still attached to the deck but is pretty close to the center line. Would I need to move that further outboard to make a folding table work?

jrowan -That is all great advice. I am away from home for weeks/months at a time (merchant marine) and was just hoping there might be something I could do online while I was away to have at least some of the materials shipped to my house so that I might be able to install them when I get home. I guess I was trying to cheat a little haha. Fortunately I am also home for weeks at a time which gives me ample opportunity to peruse the local marinas, flea markets, junk yards, etc. I also couldn't agree with you more about the "first priorities". The hull is sound, engine just needs a bit more tweaking (I hope!), the standing rigging is solid and has been tuned recently, and I will be replacing pretty much all of the running rigging as soon as I get off my current hitch. Then it's just a matter of getting her home (from St Pete, Fl to Jacksonville) so that the real fun can begin!
Thanks again,
Milo

 

[Faris]

How does the folding table work? Does it have some sort of locking hinge?

There are two "L" brackets on the table that fit into two brackets on the wall. Gravity holds it in place on that end. The other end is held up with a leg that either folds up against the bottom of the table when not in use or removes. I have not seen one where the post was attached to the floor. That would be a pain, I think.

My table has a folding leaf such that the end 10-12" or so (closest to the centerline) will fold down to give more elbow room. Let me see if I can explain this. The underside of the table has a wooden "track" into which feeds a board on a hinge on the leg. So, the leg has a sort of "paddle" attached to the top with a hinge that, when folded up, makes an upside-down "L" with the post. That paddle/board slides into the track in the underside of the table (kind of like a tiny drawer). If you slide it in only a few inches, it will support the table by the leaf, thus giving you a full-sized table. If you slide it in all the way, it will only support the main part of the table, and the leaf will fold down. Does this make sense?

I'm going out today and will take pictures. I know the explanation is difficult to envision.