Like you I use electronic charts (but carry the paper ones) and chartbooks and use the dining table when doing so as it is nice to sit down and work on the charts with that extra room provided by the size of that dining table. So I also thought about taking the chart table out, but decided I had really noting to gain by extending the settee. So I put $ Store small plastic holders inside and now store everything that is commonly used, i.e. screwdriver, sailing knife and pliers, tape, flashlight etc... Under the chart table I have a cooler where I can store cannned beverages or plastic bottles. There is room on the bulkhead under that table so it is where I have installed my 20 amps smart charger. As a bonus, I can see the charging rate lamps easily by looking from the settee. Also a small 400 watt inverter to power up the laptop which I put on it (be sure to use a non-slip pad). Thanks to NMEA 0183, the laptop is connected to my charplotter so I have a full screen showing the charts, the entire route and the current position. And don't forget the convenience of having the other section of that table, which is now the bar and a spice storage area. Navigation center, bar, spice storage, and handy do-dads and hand tools area, it is no longer a chart table but rather the multi-tasking nerve center of the boat ! It has been years since I made that decision and I am still convinced keeping it was the smart thing to do. Good luck with your project.
