1987 Cat 30 - does table make a bed?

JohnVTX · Sep 7, 2016

Mine has a different table, but it is always a combination of seat cushion backs that work. Did you try the ones on the starboard seat back?

Alan Gomes · Sep 7, 2016

gfroch said:
Ok, I'm stuck (again!). I have a 1987 Catalina 30 TRBS with the L shaped settee and large table that folds up against the bulkhead shared with the head (as opposed to the U shape settee and smaller table). We lowered the table onto the edges of the settee as if making it into a bed. However, none of the cushions lie in the empty space as a good fit to make a bed. Now, I'm not very good at puzzles, but my wife is and she can't figure it out either. What are we missing here? Does the table make a bed? And if so, what cushions do you use?

Thanks. We're very thankful for this forum!

I used to have a 1987 Cat 30 and I would frequently use the port berth as a double. The cushion in question was mounted as a backrest in the quarter berth, just aft of the nav station, where it stayed when you were not using it for the double berth. (I'm not sure you would ever use that cushion as a backrest, though, because it would mean positioning your legs athwartships while sitting in the QB.)

Bikerbob · Sep 8, 2016

Alan is right I think.. I was just on one I was looking at purchasing on Sunday.. the long cushion is from the Q-birth.. and then it was a combination of smaller cushions so 3 in total that made up the space. Quick note.. if you did not get a manual with the boat.. buy one from Catalina.. 2 you can just call them.. they are awesome to deal with.

JohnVTX · Sep 8, 2016

gfroch said:
Thank you Alan and Bikerbob- I tried that this morning and am attaching a picture. It's pretty close but does not fill the space and none of the remaining cushions are narrow enough to fit, nor do they fit cross-wise. Maybe the space isn't meant to be filled? I wouldn't want the cushions to hang over because I'd fall out of bed!
Alan- Actually, my wife is, as she says, "five foot nuthin'" and likes sitting there with the back rest!
Bikerbob- I did get the manual but it doesn't show how the berth is set up. You're 100% right, they are awesome to deal with and have been a huge help as we learn the nuances of this boat. We love the Cat 30 and highly suggest the boat and the company!View attachment 127906

What's wrong with that setup? Better than sleeping on starboard birth. Better than rear birth with no headroom. easier to access than the v-birth.

jeepbluetj · Sep 8, 2016

Yes, it's supposed to be able to be a large berth. Yes, the 'seatback' of the quarterberth is part of it. I have an extra cushion that fills the gap in your picture that I store in the QB.

If I ever recover the cushions again, I would make one big one. I think maybe Catalina didn't do that because it wouldn't fit very well in the quarterberth.

Bikerbob · Sep 8, 2016

OK, it is the same as you have.. but on the boat I was on last Sunday there was a long thin cushion that I think was from the quarter birth.. along the side ... but there was three.. just like you show.. and one long thin one.. Sorry I cant remember where it was from.. but it looks like yours is missing anyway.

Hey gfroch.. what club or marina are you out of? I was just over your way a 2 weeks ago on a cruise around lake ontario - maybe with my new boat, next year I will drop in and visit! or you can come over to me.

James

jssailem · Sep 8, 2016

I know this is not the elgant solution of a cushion making your bed, but we find it works very well and way more comfortable.
Novaform 2" Roll Out Lounger.
Found it at Costco for about $80 on line. Rolls up and stores out of the way when not in use.

Al B. · Sep 10, 2016

gfroch said:
Ok, I'm stuck (again!). I have a 1987 Catalina 30 TRBS with the L shaped settee and large table that folds up against the bulkhead shared with the head (as opposed to the U shape settee and smaller table). We lowered the table onto the edges of the settee as if making it into a bed. However, none of the cushions lie in the empty space as a good fit to make a bed. Now, I'm not very good at puzzles, but my wife is and she can't figure it out either. What are we missing here? Does the table make a bed? And if so, what cushions do you use?

Thanks. We're very thankful for this forum!

Here's the three cushions on the side of the quarter berth, and then on the table bed on my '93 MK II
Hope this helps,
Al

Alan Gomes · Sep 10, 2016

Al B. said:
Here's the three cushions on the side of the quarter berth, and then on the table bed on my '93 MK II
Hope this helps,
AlView attachment 127975 View attachment 127976

That's it exactly! It's 3 cushions. Mine was just like that.

Alan Gomes · Sep 13, 2016

gfroch said:
Thanks Al B, Alan Gomes and all other respondents. The mystery was solved. As my posted picture above shows, I also need 3 cushions, but different shape. The missing cushion has been found! It was in the previous owners attic. So, it goes just as shown and the cushion we found fits perfectly in the missing spot.

Great! So glad to hear this! I always thought that berth was great when made into a double. The only difficulty is wrestling that large table into place. I developed some techniques for manhandling it but it can be tricky.

Oh, and that reminds me of something else to warn you about, while I'm thinking of it. If your table is secured like mine was, there is a barrel bolt that fastens into a hole in the upper corner of the table to keep it in place when the table is stowed against the bulkhead. DON'T TRUST THAT BARREL BOLT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE! 99% of the time it will be fine. But one time I was sailing on port tack and the boat was pounding in a seaway coming home from Catalina Island. The pounding motion caused the table to shove itself up and down and twist the barrel bolt until the catch/knob was in the "open" position, at which point it shoved the barrel bolt all the way up and out of the table! I was at the helm and heard this loud "crash" as the table launched itself across the cabin to the starboard settee! One of my son's friends had been in that settee not long before but happily had just positioned himself elsewhere in the cabin, which is a good thing because he would have been seriously hurt. (You know first hand just how heavy that table is.) Miraculously nothing was damaged in the boat.

My solution to the problem was actually pretty simple and completely effective: I drilled a hole on the top of the barrel bolt, immediately in line with the barrel, and inserted a quick release pin into it when the table was in the stowed position. This made it it impossible for the barrel to work its way up no matter what. I picked up the quick release pin with a wire lanyard from McMaster-Carr and attached the lanyard to one of the screws holding the barrel bolt. That way the pin was always at the ready. I have done the same thing on the table on my current Ericson 26, which folds against the bulkhead and is secured with a barrel bolt and which could, theoretically, do the same thing otherwise.

Again, the chances of this happening are not great but neither are they zero, as I can attest!

Al B. · Sep 20, 2016

Alan Gomes said:
...Oh, and that reminds me of something else to warn you about, while I'm thinking of it. If your table is secured like mine was, there is a barrel bolt that fastens into a hole in the upper corner of the table to keep it in place when the table is stowed against the bulkhead. DON'T TRUST THAT BARREL BOLT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE! 99% of the time it will be fine. But one time I was sailing on port tack and the boat was pounding in a seaway coming home from Catalina Island. The pounding motion caused the table to shove itself up and down and twist the barrel bolt until the catch/knob was in the "open" position, at which point it shoved the barrel bolt all the way up and out of the table! I was at the helm and heard this loud "crash" ...

I can certainly verify that that bolt can work it's way up and out. Mine did it this spring, and oh boy, it makes quite a noise when the table crashes down. Thanks for the tip about drilling a hole in the barrel bolt and pining it. I just did that to mine and will be reinstalling next time I get to the Marina. I really don't see how that thing can come out now!
Al

1987 Cat 30 - does table make a bed?

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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