Baggywrinkle
Well-known member
It's my personal space on the boat, paper charts are a thing of the past but I still sit there working out the options for the next day while the crew/passengers use the saloon table to eat, drink and chat.
Are chart tables a waste of space?
- Thread starter DangerousPirate
- Start date
Alicatt
Well-known member
I was installing those Sailor radios in the early 1970s usually as part of a MF radio telephone system.
The boat is from 1978, an Aquafibre/Broom Ocean 37.
Both the Sailor MF receiver and the VHF still work and work well, sadly the VHF will have to be removed for taking the boat back to Belgium as it does not comply with the new regulations that came into force on 1st Jan this year, however I will keep it for the boat, I will be using it's antenna for the AIS I have to fit for our trip back through Antwerp.
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steveeasy
Well-known member
bergie
Active member
The chart table was a convenient work desk when I was still working remotely. Now that we're cruising full-time, it is mostly a waste of space. Sometimes used as overflow space for the galley, like today while we're baking bread.
Navigation and logs are electronic, and the system is set up so that we can use all our personal devices (phones and tablets) for it. Much more convenient to be able to write down a quick log entry wherever you happen to be than having to go down below (and disturb the sleeping off-watch).
If we get hit by lightning while offshore and somehow lose all devices, it might be a convenient spot for doing celestial calculations. But then again a "lap desk" would probably work better for that.
Here's the desk earning its keep back in '22 season when we still kept a paper log:
Navigation and logs are electronic, and the system is set up so that we can use all our personal devices (phones and tablets) for it. Much more convenient to be able to write down a quick log entry wherever you happen to be than having to go down below (and disturb the sleeping off-watch).
If we get hit by lightning while offshore and somehow lose all devices, it might be a convenient spot for doing celestial calculations. But then again a "lap desk" would probably work better for that.
Here's the desk earning its keep back in '22 season when we still kept a paper log:
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st599
Well-known member
Always have the correct chart out, log book for hourly notation and the correct pilot book open in the drawer. (Coded vessel so can't have just a chart plotter). We quite often turn the electronics off as an exercise.
laika
Well-known member
I do passage plan and plot with paper charts. But even if I primarily used a laptop…a saloon table is an unergonomic place to work. On top of that
- You usually have access to all your boat data at the chat table. Handy for log entries and planning
- You can wedge yourself into a chart table seat so you can work when it’s bouncy
- All your plotting kit (or your laptop) is within immediate reach in the table
- You’re normally handily located by the companionway to communicate with the people on deck.
- You have the radio right next to you. Handy if you’re talking to a vessel you have on AIS on your laptop or if you’re referencing a chart or data while communicating
Poignard
Well-known member
I'm not sure that I would call the tiny sloping desk fitted to so many modern yachts a proper chart table.
To my mind a chart table is a flat surface, parallel to the water line, and large enough to at least take a standard Admiralty chart folded in two.
I had no difficulty finding room for this on my 28' Twister because the trotter box below provided necessary space in which to stow bedding, pyjamas, and hot water bottles. If I had not had this indispsenible storage space, where would I have stowed these items out-of-sight when not in use?
To my mind a chart table is a flat surface, parallel to the water line, and large enough to at least take a standard Admiralty chart folded in two.
I had no difficulty finding room for this on my 28' Twister because the trotter box below provided necessary space in which to stow bedding, pyjamas, and hot water bottles. If I had not had this indispsenible storage space, where would I have stowed these items out-of-sight when not in use?
Baggywrinkle
Well-known member
Thanks, really pleased with her, we've had her for a few weeks now, so done our first few nights aboard. Quite a nice compromise between old-school real wood and modern interior with plenty of natural light. A very nice AWB - she's a Bavaria 44 Vision from 2008.
The Admiral has a favourite seat in the corner ...
... and the dining table is opposite ...
... and she's got a reasonable galley.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Toenails matching the seat covers. Very posh.
Not sure about the 'She's' got a reasonable galley... Don't you prep food, cook and wash up as well as her or togther?
johnalison
Well-known member
Yes. I would expect something like an ‘inlet’ galley. It’s not a lot larger than my 34’s. Bum straps essential.
Baggywrinkle
Well-known member
"She" was a reference to the boat, but it's not clear. We do most things together, but I do most of the cooking as I enjoy it.
B27
Well-known member
Paper charts are not a thing of the past, so the chart table is still needed.
It's also where we store the tide atlas, logbook, random paperwork etc.
We mostly have Navionics running, but we don't rely on it much.
It's also where we store the tide atlas, logbook, random paperwork etc.
We mostly have Navionics running, but we don't rely on it much.
Paulfireblade
Active member
The Saloon table gets used for passage planning but on passage everything close to hand at the chart table and wouldn’t be without it.
Humblebee
Well-known member
Same here. I like to plot my passage plans in advance, using traditional charts, Breton Plotter, one handed dividers and the like, then compare this plan with the tracks, headings and distances on the GPS. Corroboration, and satisfying when there is a close match.
Major_Clanger
Well-known member
I still do most of my nav long hand and carry paper charts for all my trips. Apart from the fact I enjoy chart work, it just seems the sensible thing to do, especially once the land's disappeared. I have a great little Samsung Toughbook tablet with Raster charts which is a useful reference to see how poor, or otherwise, my nav has been but it's not often I'll use it as my prime aid.
Plotters are great, reliable and simple, but there's no safe substitute to a chart and a 2b pencil. I think there's a parallel with car satnavs - they take us to exactly where we want to be, but don't give us any real sense of where we are.
Plotters are great, reliable and simple, but there's no safe substitute to a chart and a 2b pencil. I think there's a parallel with car satnavs - they take us to exactly where we want to be, but don't give us any real sense of where we are.
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Daydream believer
Well-known member
I love my yeoman. The fact that it can be used with any chart is soooo good. I have waypoints on my charts (one or two in the wierdest places, according to my family) & the Yeoman is used to transfer them to an old garmin GPS. I always set it up even though it is below on the chart table & it makes me seasick to spend too much time going below to look at it
But for passage planning & having the knowledge that if I did need to revert to electronics it is there waiting for me -then it is a plus
It fits nicely on the chart table & i am not sure where else it would go. Under the lid is storage for all the usual bits & the leg of the table houses the charts.
In port the table acts as a place to charge phones, e- bike battery, camera etc & a host of other bits that cannot stay on the folded saloon table
Daydream believer
Well-known member
I would not like that chart table design. (even if I could afford it
) If the chart was a bit big one cannot hang it over the opposite edge to work on the part one needs. So a lump of chart gets bunched up .(Several chart tables have a wall along one edge) No room for a Yeoman for those of us still in the dark ages. I know Baggywrinkle does not use a chart but he may like to comment- (nicely ) With my height I would not get in that space & the seat is not designed for someone to sit sideways. But it is not my boat & to each his own. The rest looks great though
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john_morris_uk
Well-known member
N
No problem. It was the reference straight after you referring to your partner that confused me. Nice boat."She" was a reference to the boat, but it's not clear. We do most things together, but I do most of the cooking as I enjoy it.
lustyd
Well-known member
I've just realised this discussion isn't really about chart tables at all. When looking through the responses there seem to be a few categories:
1. weekenders who drive the boat, sometimes with satnav, but probably aren't on board long enough to care either way
2. People who would have a desk in their home/don't like to use the dining table for paperwork
3. People who wouldn't have a desk in their home/happy to use the dining table for paperwork
The main contention seems to be that the desk is fixed to the boat so it's not a choice that can easily be changed later. The choice seems to have very little to do with navigation for most.
1. weekenders who drive the boat, sometimes with satnav, but probably aren't on board long enough to care either way
2. People who would have a desk in their home/don't like to use the dining table for paperwork
3. People who wouldn't have a desk in their home/happy to use the dining table for paperwork
The main contention seems to be that the desk is fixed to the boat so it's not a choice that can easily be changed later. The choice seems to have very little to do with navigation for most.
RogerJolly
Active member
Not sure about all this talk of working and passage planning.
I like just messing about in my boat.
I like just messing about in my boat.