H260 Cockpit Table

[tgrass462]

We have a 1999 H-260 w/ pedestal steering. At the Chicago Strictly Sail boat show I sought out the Edson booth person (who happened to have just given an EXCELLENT talk on steering maintenance ...) about purchasing an EDSON Cockpit Table. I was told that Hunter specified that the EDSON Pedestals used on the H-260 would NOT have a Frame attached to the front portion of the pedestal. The reason apparently was the difficulty in mounting this frame to the cockpit floor (having a water tank just inches below the cockpit I guess). In any event - Edson could not sell me a cockpit table.

I know that I could purchase a stand-alone table. The problem is that I'm a bit spoiled. Our previous boat was a 1994 Hunter 26 (tiller steering) with a Cockpit Table. This was used a lot!

What I'm thinking about (I appreciate any and all comments on the wisdom of this approach and/or other suggestions) - we have a cover plate mounted atop the pedestal - supporting cup holders, the GPS and Depth Finder mounting brackets. It is made of a white plastic material - strong but easy to work with.

I'm considering mounting two brackets - same material - from the bottom of this cover plate that will then hinge a home-build - finished wooden table top- 19" to 21" in length - maybe 6" to 8" in width. The plastic plate at the top of the pedestal will take the place of the frame used by most other cockpit table designs.

When in use - a removable 'leg' will be inserted into a socket to hold the table horizontal about 21 inches from the cockpit floor. When not in use - the leg is removed, the table swings down vertically and rests on the pedistal. I've thought about having an extension come down from the end of the table to carry the weight of the table - to avoid loading the pedestal with the compression load of the hanging table.

In closing - let me credit the table design to the latest copy of 'Good Old Boat" magazine - they had an article of such a table - only this was mounted to the frame just forward of the steering pedestal (it was NOT a H-260). Have any of you done this? Any better ideas? Would I be over-stressing the pedestal (I don't think so.. but want to ask anyway)?

Tom Grass
Grasshopper III
H-260

 

[yadayada]

table

We just use a portable wood (looks like teak) table that I got at Camping World and stow it between the steps going down into the salon and the wall to the head.

But, I agree with you that a permanent mounted table is much nicer.

Here is an option for you. http://www.zarcor.com/products/c-tables/index.php

I was going to get their table but it won't fit because my outboard motor controls are mounted in the way and can't be moved.

 

[tgrass462]

I agree - the Zarcor table is slick - and attractively priced (when compared to the EDSON models) - but again - they are attaching to the tubular frame just forward the steering pedestal - the one item neither you nor I have.

BTW - some very interesting aspects of this web site ...


Tom Grass

We just use a portable wood (looks like teak) table that I got at Camping World and stow it between the steps going down into the salon and the wall to the head.

But, I agree with you that a permanent mounted table is much nicer.

Here is an option for you. http://www.zarcor.com/products/c-tables/index.php

I was going to get their table but it won't fit because my outboard motor controls are mounted in the way and can't be moved.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Tom, our boat did not come with a wheel brake or table and I wanted both. I called Edson who gave me the correct part numbers for all the pieces needed and I ordered everything from them. I nstalled it all on a Saturday.

It was a bit expensive but all well made and fit perfect. I do not have a water tank under the cockpit floor only under the cabin sole, so drilling holes is not a problem

If I would have had the time I would have just ordered all the table hardware and made the table top myself out of wood, but I had a lot going on at the time and wanted to get it all finished.

We use it all the time and really like the design.
Bob

 

[yadayada]

tubing clarification

Tom,

My 260 is an '04 and does have the stainless steel tubing just like Bobs' pictures show. But again the outboard controls are mounted on the starboard side of those tubes so the table that Zarcor has would not work.

I think the 1999 boat was without the tubing or was an option maybe, don't know.
Anyway I priced the Edson tables and they were like $500-700. (portable table from Camping World was about $60)

I bought a complete set of the Peek a Boo shutters for the boat from Zarcor and I am very pleased with them and the people at Zarcor were very good to deal with.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

My boat came with the Edson engine controls. The throttle lever does touch the guard when wide open but we get up to about 5.5 kts at about 1/2 throttle. We have a Honda 9.9 HP.
I now have a GPS and depth sounder also mounted on the guard. The beverage holder is great spot to keep a horn, VHF and binoculars handy.
Bob

 

[tgrass462]

Edson Part Numbers

Bob,

This is good news ... totally different than what I was told at the Edson booth in Chicago (it was late in the day - perhaps the rep was tired and didn't want to deal with a 260 owner ...). Can you e-mail me the part numbers of the stainless steel tubing you installed from Edson? I would like to do this job properly. My e-mail address is: tgrass462@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Tom Grass


Tom, our boat did not come with a wheel brake or table and I wanted both. I called Edson who gave me the correct part numbers for all the pieces needed and I ordered everything from them. I nstalled it all on a Saturday.

It was a bit expensive but all well made and fit perfect. I do not have a water tank under the cockpit floor only under the cabin sole, so drilling holes is not a problem

If I would have had the time I would have just ordered all the table hardware and made the table top myself out of wood, but I had a lot going on at the time and wanted to get it all finished.

We use it all the time and really like the design.
Bob[/quote]

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Tom, I just sent you an email, let me know it does not get through, Bob

 

[tgrass462]

One more try

Bob, Try one more time - for whatever reason I didn't receive your e-mail.

tgrass462@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Tom Grass

Tom, I just sent you an email, let me know it does not get through, Bob