Cabin soles and the table…

[Chmielar]

Hello,

I’m researching before refurbishing the cabin soles on my boat. For some reason currently the boards are not varnished or protected on the bottom/bilge side. Do you think that was a result of laziness/shortage of varnish or it was left intentionally so the wood can breathe? I suspect this is the reason why one of the boards is slightly disfigured and makes rather annoying noises when walked on.

Also, I noticed, I have a bit strange arrangement of cabin table. It is fixed to the floorboard but when the boat is healing the table moves about lifting part of the floor with it. I could fix the board to the boat's frame but I’m a bit worried that during rough weather or after pub crawl when struggling with balance I could damage something more substantial than just the table. Please advise on how are the tables secured on your boats. If bolted straight to the floorboards how they’re attached to the boat so they don't move?

Best regards,
Pawel

 

[pvb]

If the table is fixed to the sole, then the sole should really be screwed down.

 

[alahol2]

My table is screwed to the sole board. The sole board is screwed to the floors (cross members).

 

[prv]

Please advise on how are the tables secured on your boats.

Built around the compression post

Pete

 

[johnphilip]

The table has a horseshoe cut out around the keel stepped mast. I found a similar lack of strength with the table to the OP's description but a small block fixed under the table butting onto, but not fixed to each side of the mast gave a rigid table. Movement in the mast just up 700 mm from the fixed step is too small to be relevant.

 

[sailorman]

My table is screwed to the sole board. The sole board is screwed to the floors (cross members).

i have 4 x 6m/m studs affixed to the keel matrix. the sole board is dropped over with clearance holes & is then screwed down. The table foot is then placed over these studs & bolted down.
all my sole boards are varnished on the under side, in fact i have just re done them all

 

[duncan99210]

Table feet are fixed directly to the hull ribs. All the deck sole plates are screwed in place except for a line of small hatches on the centre line which lift up to give easy access to the bilge.

 

[tolhurstorganic]

My table is in runners so it can be slide to and fro depending on usage and sleeping arrangements. The runners are heavy duty and bolted down to sole boards which are themselves screwed to bearers. There is a heavy duty bolt system to ensured the table stays put. Any table should be securely fixed down to remain in place should the boat ever be thrown off the top of a wave or even worse end up inverted, pretty unlikely but wirth allowing for just in case.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Mine is screwed through the sole boards into the floor bearers - 2 screws on each leg. they were rather short I noticed when refurbishing the sole boards so fitted much longer stainless screws. Also have hatches for access to the bilge, made at the same time.

 

[rob2]

... so fitted much longer stainless screws.

So that explains the pointy bits sticking out the hull? ;-) Yeah most builders seem to skimp on size of fasteners, rather like the way so many rudders were/are jerry built.

Rob.

 

[Davegriff]

Table leg goes through socket (hole) into sole and one edge bolted (not screwed) to bulkhead. I reckon it'd be pretty hairy to have a table that could move/come adrift whilst sailing!

 

[sailorman]

this is mine

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Cabin sole is screwed to the floors and the table base (telescopic support slides through it) is bolted to the sole.

The sole is finished on the underside but I have seen plywood panels on brand new production boats that were not even sanded, let alone finished in any way on the side that was not visible. I'm not mentioning names but they were not French built even though their brand name starts with a 'B'.

 

[prv]

I have seen plywood panels on brand new production boats that were not even sanded, let alone finished in any way on the side that was not visible.

You're doing well if it's plywood, they're quite commonly MDF nowadays

Pete

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

You're doing well if it's plywood, they're quite commonly MDF nowadays

Pete

That's one of the reasons why I prefer my 1973 boat to a modern one! This is what my cabin sole looks like (The part is an inspection cover sitting on the table):

 

[sailorman]

That's one of the reasons why I prefer my 1973 boat to a modern one! This is what my cabin sole looks like (The part is an inspection cover sitting on the table):

you could fit out 10 Bavarias with the teak in that sole

 

[pvb]

You're doing well if it's plywood, they're quite commonly MDF nowadays

Are they? Are they really? I've crawled all over the nooks and crannies of my new Bavaria, and can't find any MDF, or any poorly finished ply. In fact, the fit, finish and attention to detail is staggering. I know they use automotive production line techniques, but the value for money is undeniable.

 

[prv]

Are they? Are they really?

Mine are

(It is allegedly waterproof MDF, and certainly they aren't falling apart or anything. But yep, MDF is what they're made of.)

Pete

 

[pvb]

Mine are

(It is allegedly waterproof MDF, and certainly they aren't falling apart or anything. But yep, MDF is what they're made of.)

I don't believe that's "quite common".

 

[prv]

I don't believe that's "quite common".

Well, I haven't done a survey, and I was mostly just making a joke. But it seems unlikely that our boat was the only one ever built with MDF sole boards, doesn't it?

I've read at least one review in PBO which said the sole was "made of some kind of marine fibreboard", which I take to be the same stuff. I don't think it was a review of a Maxi, so that's two builders that use (or have used) it. May well be others, but it's not a question the reviewers generally think to consider.

As I said, it doesn't seem to be a problem in practice. Ariam's cabin sole has seen some heavy wear in 16 years of chartering, it's had the laminate replaced at least once and could do with re-doing again. But the underlying MDF is still ok.

Pete