RolfSail,
Did the same to our 2002. Lots of articles on here - look at the h260 owners mods and the Hunter small boat discussion: this is a copy of a previous note I wrote last month.
Was always interested as because as nice as the aft queen berth is for a boat this size its pretty difficult for two to use and manage the access (I'm 6'4"). Our 260 has a molded lip around the outside of the cabin lazarettes. I assume it was designed for the purpose of dropping the table down but the extra costs to design & make it happen was probably too much (considering the existing queen).
We did the conversion but it will take some fabrication work and removal of the compression post which requires removal of the mast. The big design issue is supporting the table in its traditional "up" position. We tried 1 removable post and eventually used 2.
Below freezing - not recommended. Based upon the amount of silicone I found packed in there indicated that the post had been out before.
Gotta engineer to compensate for removal of the fiberglass support.
Ended up with this. Note - cup holders are awesome but........forgot about clearance on #3.
Table now has 4 positions: down (sleep), medium std. (large dining), med (reversed - small dining) and up (entertaining, loading and cleaning). Sleeved two new holes in compression post to accommodate. Table up with powdercoated reinforcement.
So.......it can be done. However - moving the table is a two person job. Its heavy and care needs to be taken. I would not sail with the table in the up position - ever. Note: original "donut" (top right) was later changed for two removable 2" post supports which alleviated wobble.
Apologize - don't have a pic of the finished project. Waited for a sale and matched the existing cushion fabric color (not available vis Hunter) at Jo-Anne fabric. Made the 2 cushions from 3" foam.
So...........we mostly don't use it!
Nothing has changed for day sailing and overnights. Keep the table in our standard reversed middle position with Mrs. Snow sleeping on the port lazarettes so.......did we need this? Well......its pretty awesome while cruising especially with 3 people. Can now support 2 couples (w/no corona spacing). BIG comfy king + bed area. Just........totally pleasant and amazing sleeping space for a 26" boat. Enough room for two small duffles under the table - Mrs. Snows wheelie carry on fits very nicely. The new cushions get moved to the v berth (no more cushion up there) and it stays down while cruising as we seldom eat below. This would be a great addition for a small family.
Please shoot me a message with questions. There are a few nit pick items we would change if doing it again but overall - pretty pleased. Total cost was approximately $300 inclusive of the 4 cool cupholders & cushions but excluding my labor.