Thoughts on chart tables?

[CliffA]

With the prevalence of electronic navigation devices these days, are there many sailors out there that still use their chart table/desk for old school charts? Is anyone starting to see refits where a chart table area has been replace with something else, like a fridge, or storage, or increased galley space?

Any pictures?
Looking forward to reading people’s thoughts on the matter.

 

[jssailem]

My chart table serves as a shop table during projects. When sailing, which I pray will come soon, out comes the chart and my laptop. Tracking progress and notes on sightings or issues.
During down times, I work to summarize the notes in my ship’s log.

The last 18 months have been work project notes. I’m expecting in October to have the next 18 months be cruising notes.

My navigation table is an important structure on my boat. I can see this is not the way everyone utilizes a Nav table. I surmise if I was a day sailing owner, the Nav table would carry less significance.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Never even once used the chart table to read a chart but I wouldn’t want to be without it for other purposes.
I think Gozzard used to have an interior design missing a traditional chart table, however, they had a library room so….

 

[dlochner]

Most chart tables are too small to actually unroll a chart. When we want to use a real, not a chart book it goes on the saloon table. Horizontal space on a sailboat is pretty limited. At anchor or in a marina it is where the iPad lives, devices getting charged etc. The top to our chart plotter is hinged and we store "office" stuff in that area, pens, pads, charting instruments, etc.

 

[capta]

As a liveaboard, I used our chart table more as an office when in port. The space could have been much better used, if it had been designed for that. However, at sea the tiny space and comfortable, secure chair was indispensable, especially if it was rough. If I was designing a boat, I'd have to keep that in mind.

 

[dlochner]

As a liveaboard, I used our chart table more as an office when in port. The space could have been much better used, if it had been designed for that. However, at sea the tiny space and comfortable, secure chair was indispensable, especially if it was rough. If I was designing a boat, I'd have to keep that in mind.

In a 53' boat all that is possible. In a 30' or 36' boat, the secure chair is non-existent.

 

[BigEasy]

There is a leg space that is beneath my chart table that is totally wasted space. If I sit at the chart table to write notes, update project lists, etc., I never use the leg space. I intend to close in the space with a storage cabinet and drawer exactly like the one adjacent to the empty space. Have purchased the wood for the cabinet & drawer facings and plan to reclaim the rails from a mahogany door that was recently replaced on the house.

 

[Tally Ho]

The chart table on my O’Day 322 is way too tight for me to sit at comfortably (no real room for your legs).

I keep thinking I could build some cabinets there, keep a lift top table for storage, and orient things to open from the aisle way. I could use the space for an Air Conditioner unit maybe.

I don’t really ever sit at the table, but like @jssailem, my table top is a workspace any time I am working on a project.

Greg

 

[robbjd]

Cliff, I would convert the table into more storage, or a fridge. I'm not familiar with the C&C 25s interior, but most 25 foot boats lack storage space and refrigeration. Unless you're planning voyages, full size charts are a waste of paper. As a former merchant marine officer who had to update hundreds of charts I wouldn't consider anything larger than chart books for our 34 footer. In the next decade paper charts will be obsolete and completely replaced by electronic charts. The previous owner of our boat added storage in the space once occupied by the legs of anyone sitting at the chart table. Can't thank him enough!

 

[FastOlson]

Everyone's needs are different, but we specifically bought our boat model because of a large sit-down forward-facing chart table. As others mention this is usually the one large "desk" or project area... or food prep area... or computer place or place to read a magazine or........ whatever.... on any boat.
When we moved up from our 26 footer, with its "multi function" dinette table, this was one important attraction. Alas, you can only put so much furniture into a smaller boat...

Of course: "YMMV"

 

[FastOlson]

There is a leg space that is beneath my chart table that is totally wasted space. If I sit at the chart table to write notes, update project lists, etc., I never use the leg space.

This begs a question: do you have detachable legs?

OK, seriously, there are some successful cruising boat designs with a large-surface standup chart table top. Not my choice, but owners do seem happy with them.

 

[FastOlson]

In a 53' boat all that is possible. In a 30' or 36' boat, the secure chair is non-existent.

I can lurk here for years without finding any reason to (even very occasionally and slightly) nit-pick Dave.
But since we have several Yamaha 33's in our club, attached is a photo of their nav desk and seat layout. I have done a multi day delivery on one, and it's as comfortable and practical as it appears. I wish our boat had a seat like that, rather than the usual flat cushion.

 

[dlochner]

I can lurk here for years without finding any reason to (even very occasionally and slightly) correct Dave.
But since we have several Yamaha 33's in our club, attached is a photo of their nav desk and seat layout. I have done multi day delivery on one, and it's as comfortable and practical as it appears. I wish our boat had a seat like that, rather than the usual flat cushion.

Clever idea. I had forgotten that I mentioned it to the Yamaha designers back in the day....

 

[Siamese]

I can only comment with regard to the kind of sailing I do, and the boat I sail. Mostly daysailing, with the occasional trip up or down the Lake Michigan coast. Catalina 315. Given that, I can't imagine a bigger waste of space then a chart table. Okay, maybe a ping-pong table.

I see no reason why the much larger dinette table couldn't serve as a chart table, given the space restrictions on a 31 foot boat.

 

[CliffA]

Cliff, I would convert the table into more storage, or a fridge. I'm not familiar with the C&C 25s interior, but most 25 foot boats lack storage space and refrigeration. Unless you're planning voyages, full size charts are a waste of paper. As a former merchant marine officer who had to update hundreds of charts I wouldn't consider anything larger than chart books for our 34 footer. In the next decade paper charts will be obsolete and completely replaced by electronic charts. The previous owner of our boat added storage in the space once occupied by the legs of anyone sitting at the chart table. Can't thank him enough!

There’s no dedicated chart table space on the C&C 25 that’s for sure. But that doesn’t stop me from looking at bigger boats that do have them and wondering what else could be done with that space lol.

 

[Stu Jackson]

We use ours for various things: project space, catch-all at anchor, chartbook work and office space (especially with two of us on the six week trip from SF to BC), my wife used it for her morning crossword puzzle while I read at the saloon table; we have most of our handy use tools inside the table separated by kitchen drawer separators and our Freedom 15 I/C is mounted underneath as well as our trash bin. A fellow C 34-er said storage. Your boat, your choice.

 

[capta]

In a 53' boat all that is possible. In a 30' or 36' boat, the secure chair is non-existent.

Skipping Stone wasn't my first boat, nor was it the only sailing boat with a secure corner with a chart table Some had a small one person bench seat or a small swing out chair. But all had one thing in common. Whether there was some sort of comfortable strap to hold me in, or it was easy to snuggle into that place and hold myself with a foot, it was always the most secure place on the boat, at sea, in uncomfortable conditions.

 

[shemandr]

I can’t recall a nav station I thought was well designed. Certainly not the one on my H356. I could see a space dedicated to technology. But it would look a lot different.
If you are into piloting, and I am, a flat area in the cockpit would be my choice. Why try to pilot from a place where you can’t see around? It doesn’t make sense (Except in a pilot house).

 

[BigEasy]

This begs a question: do you have detachable legs?

No detachable legs! Sorry I don't have photo available: however, it's one of the configurations where the end of the setee is the chart table seat. At 6'1", I would almost need detachable legs to sit on the end of the setee and fit my legs under the chart table. Much easier sit on the side of the setee and rotate my torso 45 degrees to work at the table. So, for me the leg space is wasted space. The 343 doesn't have sufficient cabinet space, so additional cabinet space under the chart table would be an improvement. The table height is definitely not high enough to work standing in an upright position.

 

[NYSail]

I too find it a waste of space…… not the table which is always well used but underneath leg area. On our boat it’s a catch all storage area. When I pull the charts out I use them on the salon table or mostly in the cockpit. Chart table too small.
we are going on week 7 away and we have been dreaming about a compact washer/dryer…. Would fit with moderate alterations and still leave the desktop. But also look at alterations to add cabinets to hold printer/copier which currently finds a home in the aft berth unless my grand daughter is traveling with us, then it’s home is on top of the chart table…..