Bbq table

[fred1diver]

Hello all, we recently saw that Magma made a table for their kettle Bbq’s, it looks very interesting but the price is very steep for the size of it.
I got to thinking, would making a push pit mounted table be reasonable to make?
I was thinking of using a 1” thick cutting board for the table part (same as Magma did) and installing 2 brackets under it that will clamp on the 1” as tubing of the pushpit.
I could round the side near the Bbq as well, maybe add a fiddle on the sides?
what do you all think? Am I overthinking it? Would it be worth it to make it ? Or should I just spend my money for a piece that I think will be too small?

 

[kappykaplan]

Fred, do you have a sketch or two of what you're contemplating?

 

[shemandr]

Here are some choices:

https://www.westmarine.com/search?q=Fish+cleaning+table&lang=en_US

 

[fred1diver]

This is what I am looking at, my local chandlery has one in stock, a few bucks under 100$
One of our friend ordered one for us but got the one for the 15” kettle, we have the party size, so the radius does not fit, and the thing is so small, it won’t even hold a proper steak on there, this one is a (tiny) bit bigger, but still very small.

I do not have a sketch made up at the moment, but I will post the hardware I am thinking about later

 

[fred1diver]

Ok, here are a few types of brackets I was thinking about and an example of a cutting board size I could use to get the size and shape wanted

 

[kappykaplan]

Might work . . .

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'd add a third brace so it doesn't rotate around the tubing. It takes a lot of pressure/friction to keep it from rotating with clamps on a single plane. Nothing quite like an accidental knife cut followed by a $20 steak plopping in the water

 

[fred1diver]

Good point, I was thinking about a knee brace to the lower tubing as well

 

[fred1diver]

I went to my local chandlery this morning, they had the small and the party size table/shelf in stock, so after looking at the size difference, I will definitely be making ours!
I am still gathering info for cutting boards, did find a few interesting ones, albeit expensive, but I could easily get a decent size useful shelf, now I need to figure exactly what we need and how to fasten it to the rail.
I got to thinking might get releasable clamps so I can fold it out of the way, still working out the details

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Claw style camera equipment clamps are inexpensive and work well. I've also used mini stage lighing clamps.SeaDog makes plastic rail clamps and of course, you can always take a look at bimini clamps

I've also seen a few filleting trays marketed towards fisherman that might work for you

 

[fred1diver]

I was looking at those, but I do like the look/style of the Magma ones, just not the size, I do not want it to be too big, my portion of rail is not that big (maybe 18”) side fiddles would be nice but not mandatory, we will see,
I would like to figure a way to store the Bbq utensils as well, many options there, just not sure which would be best for us

 

[jssailem]

I would like to figure a way to store the Bbq utensils

Are you sure you want the BBQ Utensils in the cockpit while battling through 2m waves and 30 kn breeze to windward?

I would think storage in the cabin by the galley would be more practical.
I would be putting them away after I washed up.

 

[fred1diver]

I mean for when cooking, while the food cooks, where to stow them near the Bbq

 

[dmax]

I've used all three of the clamps you have pictured above. The white ones are probably best in this application, they hold well and are fairly quick to install/remove. If in-line though, they will likely rotate on you at the worst time without a 3rd leg of sorts. Maybe the table could be over the corner of your pushpit with the clamps oriented 90 degrees from each other - shouldn't rotate then. The middle clamps are kind of junky and not applicable. The third one is very strong and two of them clamped on would not rotate (the teeth may mar the pushbit) - however, they require an allen wrench and four screws to remove so too much of a pain. As for fiddles: you want them now or you'll want them after the first thing falls overboard - I say plan on them now. As for storing the utensils: someone in another thread mentioned using PVC tubing for outside storage - pretty easy to fashion one for the utensils hanging off the pushpit that would be out of the way yet handy. I have one for storing butane containers. I believe you are also a canvas guy - a simple way to get some outside storage would be to get a Life-Sling storage bag (or something similar but they are well made, $70), cover it with canvas and hang it off the pushpit.