Table Trouble

[JMowery]

I have a 1976 Catalina 27. It has the dinnette interior. The table rests on 3 points, the folding leg and two brackets at the hull. The problem is that everytime you lean on the table the opposite corner pulls out of the bracket! I talked to the hardware guy at West Marine, and he seemed to know what I was talking about, but didn't have any good solutions. Surely this obvious design flaw has been fixed in the last 24 years! Any suggestions would be welcome. Right now I've cut some wood blocks to fit, it works but is not an elegant solution.

 

[Hayden Watson]

stop block on top of the table

While we were looking for our new boat I saw a C30 with a good solution to theproblem.The owner cut a teak board approximately 1” x 3/4” by the width of the table. This was mounted to the bulkhead tight against the top of the table. He used small barrel bolts epoxied into the bulkhead with knurled screws to secure. This solution is easy to install, can be removed without tools and doesn’t interfere with standing the table upright against the bulkhead. The only change to the boat was the barrel bolts in the bulkhead. I think they were a #8 screw.Hayden Watson1988 C30tr/bsPapillonSpokane, WA

 

[John]

Table Problems

I think we have the same kind of setup on our boat. Look and see if the two wall mounted brackets don't have threaded bolt holes in them. Ours do and we just hand tighten two bolts which holds the sleeves securely in the brackets. Yes, we sometimes still forget to do this and it can get exciting when it happens. If your boat doesn't have the threaded holes I'd think you could drill a couple and tap them. I'd suggest stainless bolts so you won't have to worry about rust problems. Good luck!

 

[Pat Tyler]

Table

I put two screen door hooks under the table. It works great and it's very easy to release.

 

[Roger Fleming]

Hinged to the wall?

My 1985, 27 attached the table to the bulkhead with a long piano hinge. To deploy the table you pull out the leg (which is hinged to the bottom of the table) release the barrell bolt which holds the table in the up position, then lower the table onto the leg. A pin on the bottom of the leg fits into a hole in the bilge cover. Its very secure and stable in both the up and down position.