Are chart tables a waste of space?

[bitbaltic]

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

In the drawers immediately beneath the table. On our boat, top drawer is kitchen implements and working fags; middle drawer, batteries and emergency fags; bottom drawer, chargers and secret fags.

 

[Poignard]

Below my 1 square metre chart table was a trotter box which, when it didn't contain trotters, contained bedding.

So no space wasted at all. In fact some gained, because it had stowage for charts under its hinged top,

 

[Neeves]

but I have a set for the whole channel just in case the mdf plays up.

If you have a lot of MDF and it gets wet you are having real problems.

Jonathan

 

[thinwater]

I converted mine into a sort of work area, with small parts storage in flat complemented bins and such. Also some small tools, but it is kept neat. Very handy, since builders seem to assume you don't need a work area. I still store some backup paper charts there, but I usually look at them in the salon (they are for planning not navigating).

 

[wonkywinch]

Although my boat has a chart table, it's a WPB cruiser so not big enough for proper nav work. On passage, I use the main dining table in the saloon but since it doesn't have fiddles, I made a pair of thin bungee cords with hooks that I use around the table top to hold the chart, logbook and pen/pencil in place whilst the boat is heeled.

 

[Stingo]

Isn't "necessary space" and "can't live without it" the same thing?

 

[Roberto]

Isn't "necessary space" and "can't live without it" the same thing?

So thought an Austrian failed painter in the late 1930s

 

[Stingo]

So thought an Austrian failed painter in the late 1930s

I didn't realise that he had a chart table

 

[Dellquay13]

I didn't realise that he had a chart table

Not just any old chart table, a room sized table top map of Europe if the old films got it right…

 

[Refueler]

Not just any old chart table, a room sized table top map of Europe if the old films got it right…

That was near 'bomb proof' as well.

 

[Dellquay13]

That was near 'bomb proof' as well.

FerroCement? Probably a bit sluggish to windward?

 

[DangerousPirate]

FerroCement? Probably a bit sluggish to windward?

The actual performance blows minds

 

[Sandy]

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.

Chart tables are wonderful inventions.

Not only does it give me somewhere to place the chart, a chart is my primary navigation tool, but it gives me a place to sit and thing, a place to write up the log, a space to place food and bottles of beverage when guests arrive for dinner.

I better not ask if you have a sextant onboard.

 

[Ray Purchase]

Where else would the TV go?

 

[lustyd]

I don't tend to plot on paper there, but as a desk it's useful. I pointed this out to pretty much every sailboat vendor at Southampton a few years ago when they'd all been removed for more living space. They all said it was unnecessary, I explained I needed to pay for the boat and a working desk would allow me to do that. Amazingly last year at Southampton about 50% of the boats had chart tables again, so perhaps they do listen to feedback.

 

[DangerousPirate]

I don't tend to plot on paper there, but as a desk it's useful. I pointed this out to pretty much every sailboat vendor at Southampton a few years ago when they'd all been removed for more living space. They all said it was unnecessary, I explained I needed to pay for the boat and a working desk would allow me to do that. Amazingly last year at Southampton about 50% of the boats had chart tables again, so perhaps they do listen to feedback.

I never sit on my chart table to work with my laptop. Normally on the saloon table or the laptop in my, well, lap. So I don't really see it necessary especially on smaller boats. Big boats got room either way, but some 30 ft or less boats really could do with some extra space where the table's are.

 

[Thresher]

I never sit on my chart table to work with my laptop. Normally on the saloon table or the laptop in my, well, lap. So I don't really see it necessary especially on smaller boats. Big boats got room either way, but some 30 ft or less boats really could do with some extra space where the table's are.

Agree with that. The drop down chart table on my 27 foot boat was a major feature for me when I bought the boat and I've never used it in 20 years, I haven't used charts for the last 5. The boat has a table with fiddles that drops down to make a double bed, previously described by another poster. Ample space if you are single handed.

 

[DownWest]

It was one of the attractions on the new to us boat, the chart table
View attachment 180870

I get the New To Us bit, but how old is the boat?! I was dealing with Sailor radios back in the 80s and that looks just the same.. VHF, Long wave and depth.

 

[DownWest]

I like chart tables, but my mini cruiser does not have room, so the Yeoman will be on a movable table that clips/hinges over a berth. Depth sounder hinged to be visible from the cockpit. (It is small..) And, I actually do have a sextant, but decoration now Might leave it on the rack to impress..

 

[steveeasy]

I never sit on my chart table to work with my laptop. Normally on the saloon table or the laptop in my, well, lap. So I don't really see it necessary especially on smaller boats. Big boats got room either way, but some 30 ft or less boats really could do with some extra space where the table's are.

Ive never sat on mine, prefer the cushion thing!!. Nothing better than a nice soft cushion and chart table to sit at while your calling the odd May Day. No ive not but ive contemplated it a few times.
Steveeasy