Are chart tables a waste of space?

[DangerousPirate]

Was just wondering if anyone actually plots charts on that table?

From my own experience and pretty much everyone I know; It's chart plotters, phones, tablets and what not, and maybe a back-up paper chart in the cockpit as quick reference back up, but who actually sits down below and plots on paper any more? I don't know anyone personally. Nowadays, it's all digital. Welcome to the 21st century.

But these tables take up a lot of space on small boats, and if I really need to, I can use my normal saloon table to work on a paper chart and don't need a dedicated big full table for that. It can make a big difference. Extra settee space, more storage etc.

I saw a thread from 2007 and even then it was controversial, but 2007 has been a while ago, and I wonder how the mood has shifted since then. I will include a poll.

 

[johnalison]

It’s too late for me to change now, but I would be sorry to lose my chart table. As well as being the only place anyone could possibly use when serving drinks, it basically becomes the boat’s office, with plotter, VHF and other gear around, and is the most comfortable place to sit and write. My saloon is designed around the chart table and galley opposite, so it is hard to see how the space could be used otherwise in a 30yr-old design. I’m not against innovation, but a saloon table is a poor place to do serious chart work for those who might wish to do so, not that I have since we can no longer sail abroad.

 

[Roberto]

Can an electronic display hold a (blue) beer can in a foam insulator
Making some kind of passage planning on a electronic display could take months for me.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

They are useful spaces, so not a total waste of space. I turned mine round, longitudinally, and built it as a flat top. It opened up the galley area and provided a superior table top, work bench area. It is used as chart table, but those days are numbered.

 

[jbweston]

I always used mine as a writing desk, boat office, etc. Also a place to sit and have my lunch when I was by myself.

 

[LittleSister]

As one who always dreamt of having a boat with a chart table (most of them didn't have a saloon table!) but managed without (mainly a chart holder on my knees in the cockpit) I consider them to be highly desirable, though not essential. There's no option to vote for that, so I've checked 'Necessary' as being not quite accurate but nearer to my view than the other two options.

I think they're great for passage planning, which I find much easier on a paper chart than plotter (not only because my plotter is small). On passage (but not local pilotage in home waters) I like to plot my position every hour or whatever, just in case the electronics start playing up, or I want to easily review past progress and route etc. They're also often handy for having open the almanac, pilot guide, etc. Most chart tables have storage for charts, books, dividers, plotters(the other type) or parallel rulers, etc.

At long last, my 5th and latest boat, an LM 27, has a chart table of sorts - a large sloping ledge shelf with fiddle in the wheelhouse, which is very handy for having charts or almanac/pilot book open (and the slope deters people (including myself!) from putting cups down on it). It also has a nice little rack nearby for pencils, dividers, eraser, etc. (It even has a real saloon table - permanently fixed (not demountable) but folding saloon table!) Charts and books have to be stored elsewhere, though.

 

[dunedin]

I always used mine as a writing desk, boat office, etc. Also a place to sit and have my lunch when I was by myself.

This, though more laptop desk than writing desk these days. The skippers den, and woe betide anybody who dumps shopping, their bag or their cups on the hallowed space.
Usually has a paper chart lying there when underway but rarely / never plot anything

 

[scozzy]

My 23ftr chart table is "compact" and has morphed into the bar when on mooring/hook etc, underway it's the tech station as PO conveniently installed charging ports right along it so you'll find my phone,speaker or navi tablet well before you find a chart! Pilot book is usually on a cushion somewhere as I like to peruse that with auto helm on with feet up somewhere depending on weather,it's never used for charts..

 

[steveeasy]

Find the chart table really useful place to sit and read and relax. When sailing it is indeed a good place to check charts and plan route changes. Close to the cockpit.
Would find all the above difficult if not impossible at the saloon table while at sea. It’s my space when others on board.
Might as well show of my new chart table top. Not quite finished but better than the Formica.

Steveeasy

 

[HenrikH]

It’s the operations centre. There are charts, not much in use, there are harbour guides, a bookshelf dedicated to handbooks, convenience tools often needed (before hitting the proper toolbox). An extra loo is possibly more relevant for charter boats

 

[BobnLesley]

Can an electronic display hold a (blue) beer can in a foam insulator...

And where else could you stow a pack of cigarettes without risk of them getting wet, stepped on, or simply disappearing into the void.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We have a place we can clip, deploy and hinge up out of the way, a Yeoman plotter. I find it hard to go without paper charts altogether, though I don’t worry in home waters, i know where the lumps are, I’ve hit them all, racing in an XOD
No actual chart table though. On our boat, no drinking occurs under way, we have a dining table and a cockpit table. Perfectly adequate for a person of my vast experience as a bartender to mix a G&T, or even a singapore sling if the mood takes us.

 

[Refueler]

I find saloon tables poor for chartwork unless its the double divan infill type .... the central folding table with single berths either side is not IMHO a good chart-table.

I like my chart-table on latest boat .. as another says - its a good place to sit and read etc. Mine is also storage for chart packs, manuals and other stuff with a hinged top.

 

[[199490]]

Well… I’ve got the charts up on the Garmin, Google, Apple Maps and/ or Waterkaarten up on the iPad beside it but SWMBO has the paper maps and guidebooks on the table…

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Well… I’ve got the charts up on the Garmin, Google, Apple Maps and/ or Waterkaarten up on the iPad beside it but SWMBO has the paper maps and guidebooks on the table…

I think you have it covered.

 

[Boathook]

I've got a small chart table. Use it to fill out the logbook at random intervals and plot positions whilst crossing the channel. Charts only really used for planning nowadays but I have a set for the whole channel just in case the mdf plays up.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I've got a small chart table. Use it to fill out the logbook at random intervals and plot positions whilst crossing the channel. Charts only really used for planning nowadays but I have a set for the whole channel just in case the mdf plays up.

Same as us then. Though the yeoman allows us to send waypoints to the mfd. normally I’d do all of that before letting go our home mooring, both outward and home trips.

 

[Alicatt]

It was one of the attractions on the new to us boat, the chart table

 

[Graham_Wright]

Where else can you do your soldering?

 

[Alicatt]

Where else can you do your soldering?

Well I've got 12V, 24V, and 220V at the chart table
But my soldering iron is gas powered