Beneteau 400 main cabin berth

[taylort100]

We are looking at a Beneteau 400 as a trade up. The boat does not have the short legs to lower the table to make a berth. More importantly, it appears that even if we got shorter legs, the table wouldn't fit into the space - it would rest on the edges of the u seat by about 1 inch all around (this is the rectangular table in a 2 cabin boat). Does anyone know more about this? Was the center cushion thinner? What about the fiddles - wouldn't they be uncomfortable? has anyone done it differently? I'm thinking we will need to make our own piece of board that fits properly.

Thanks

Tom

 

[MSN-Travelers]

Have a 352 but the table/cabin berth is the same setup. The table top rests on the seat base for support. The lack of legs also allows you to raise the table an inch or so and swing the table top out of the way. This gives you free access to the storage spaces under the seats.

The boat came with factory cushions that, when placed on the lowered table top, make a full cushion covered berth. However, the seat cushion part of the berth slopes front-to-back away from the table cushions (which is a little too thick). The net result is raised center with head & feet on a down slope. Roll over toward the hull and it's a quick roll down into the recessed seat cushion. Not really comfortable.

I know a thinner table cushion would help a little but that would still leave feet on a downhill run for taller people and a downhill roll toward the hull will still be there. Maybe looking at some sort of filler cushions to raise/level the seat cushions to meet the table cushion.

Haven't had a chance to correct it as we rarely have to use it as a berth.

 

[larryw]

Everything fits if you have the shortie legs. If not, make your own from PVC. Set the table in place on the locker edges, measure what you need to go to the inside of the legs pieces. Cut a little longer, then trim down a little at a time to achieve a good fit. You may be able to find the legs on ebay or craigslist, tho I haven't tried that.

 

[taylort100]

Everything fits if you have the shortie legs. If not, make your own from PVC. Set the table in place on the locker edges, measure what you need to go to the inside of the legs pieces. Cut a little longer, then trim down a little at a time to achieve a good fit. You may be able to find the legs on ebay or craigslist, tho I haven't tried that.

Thanks for the reply. We'll try plastic pipe - I'm still uncertain about the fiddles but we'll see. I might have to make a board that fits and a special cushion.