Chart Table

[westhinder]

The side discussion about where to put the VHF got me thinking about how boats used to be organised around the chart table. That was where all the navigation was done, where the old sounder used to be, the VHF set was installed, where the Decca was, which was followed by the GPS. If there was a radar, it lived there too. When chartplotters arrived, they too were initially put on the chart table, because that’s where you navigate, isn’t it?

Technological progress has changed all that. Now we can put the instruments where they logically belong, or where we prefer to have them and organise the boat more ergonomically. In our case that means wind, depth and log on the hatch garage, plotter under the sprayhood, command mic and autopilot remote control next to the companionway and usable under the sprayhood. Sailing shorthanded we have all the tools in the cockpit so we can make decisions without leaving the action. At the wheel there is a repeater that has all the data and the autopilot control. I’d like to have a cordless remote mic there as well.
The chart table is used for planning and preparation, the relevant paper chart is always there and when on passage we make an hourly entry in the logbook.

How have you organised yours?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

During the renovation of my boat, I took a forward facing chart table out and built a new, longitudinal chart table, with no seat. It opened up the galley chart table area really nicely, gave a great work surface and improved storage significantly. I still use my charts on it, it is still a nav table, but it has much greater utility now. I never sat at it anyway, preferring the saloon for that.

 

[MontyMariner]

Chart Table has become just a Table.

 

[ithet]

It is a pet hate of mine that yacht builders still insist on putting the VHF below - at the so called chart table. It is an unnecessary inconvenience having to go below every time one wants to use the VHF. Yes, you can fit a remote mic to some units, but it doubles the cost and you still have the useless unit taking space up down below. Every powerboat has the VHF at the helm, most new yachts do not, why?

 

[lustyd]

It is an unnecessary inconvenience having to go below every time one wants to use the VHF

But then on longer passages it would be an unnecessary inconvenience to climb to the cockpit. In fact most of my sailing is done away from the helm.

 

[Minerva]

I think the chart table will have a bit of a renaissance - only more as a desk where you can do a bit of work from home.

Tables with fiddles are sore on the wrists when on the keyboard, the cockpit table is a bit bright in sunshine but main saloon table a bit in the way of anyone else.

A nice chart table, with leg room and a non descript / non passageway background would be great for a few hours work on a Friday morning.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I still want a chart table and it's one of the must-haves for the next boat, but for a laptop/tablet .... somewhere to sit away from the galley and saloon table where I can store and charge all my camera gear, drone etc. and do stuff online or edit video and photos. A lot of modern designs have either a diminished or non-existent chart table and I think that's a shame - maybe the need for a desk for remote working will revive the chart table - or maybe not. Most mainstream AWBs are aimed at the charter market which means holiday boats with multiple toilets being prioritised over a chart table.

My paper charts are just a nav system of last resort - I have been in the same cruising area for over a decade and know most of it like the back of my hand, so they come out once a year to see how out-of-date they are. I might consult a pilot book or chart when I go somewhere new, but there are not many places left now and my plotter and navionics are always up-to-date so I'm usually using them in conjunction with the autopilot.

A VHF at the helm is necessary IMO, and I prefer a hard-wired RAM mic so no losing it overboard or the batteries running flat - it also means both use the mast antenna. The main VHF is down below and I prefer this 2 position layout because there are then 2 places where you can send an automatic distress call - and you pick the position where you feel safest. There is also a handheld battery VHF as backup which sits in its charger near the grab bag.

 

[Stemar]

I still want a chart table and it's one of the must-haves for the next boat, but for a laptop/tablet .... somewhere to sit away from the galley and saloon table where I can store and charge all my camera gear, drone etc. and do stuff online or edit video and photos.

I'd call that an office.

I'm quite happy as a Solent pottering sailor not to have one, as my passage planning involves a quick look at the Met Office app, a tide table and turn on the plotter tablet, but I'd certainly want it for living aboard or more serious cruising.

 

[ithet]

But then on longer passages it would be an unnecessary inconvenience to climb to the cockpit. In fact most of my sailing is done away from the helm.

I would suggest your use is the minority. So, the VHF should default to the cockpit with a remote mike below if required.

 

[lustyd]

I'd call that an office.

Nothing wrong with wanting an office desk on a boat, many of us have to work to pay for the boat!

I mentioned this at the boat show two years ago on pretty much all boats, most of which had removed the chart table and was flatly told nobody wanted a desk of any kind. Obviously not nobody, since I was asking! Only Jeanneau has put a useful desk on board, the 440 and 410 have lovely leather covered desks and they're far wider than the old chart tables, as well as having had the front fiddle removed so you can use a keyboard and mouse in comfort. Not the only great design feature on these boats either, I was very tempted to order one

 

[Sandy]

The side discussion about where to put the VHF got me thinking about how boats used to be organised around the chart table. That was where all the navigation was done, where the old sounder used to be, the VHF set was installed, where the Decca was, which was followed by the GPS. If there was a radar, it lived there too. When chartplotters arrived, they too were initially put on the chart table, because that’s where you navigate, isn’t it?

Technological progress has changed all that. Now we can put the instruments where they logically belong, or where we prefer to have them and organise the boat more ergonomically. In our case that means wind, depth and log on the hatch garage, plotter under the sprayhood, command mic and autopilot remote control next to the companionway and usable under the sprayhood. Sailing shorthanded we have all the tools in the cockpit so we can make decisions without leaving the action. At the wheel there is a repeater that has all the data and the autopilot control. I’d like to have a cordless remote mic there as well.
The chart table is used for planning and preparation, the relevant paper chart is always there and when on passage we make an hourly entry in the logbook.

How have you organised yours?

Main VHF by the chart table, instrumentation on the hatch garage (excitable crew can see all the numbers as they are usually obsessed with speed) the RAM and chart plotter by the wheel (where the instrumentation is repeated and I can use the radio for radio checks with NCI and talk to others when required).

I find a chart table a great place to plan, write up the log book and do other skipperery type stuff as long as the snoring is kept to a minimum.

 

[Kelpie]

Ours serves as a second large flat surface so that accumulated junk can migrate from the saloon table to the chart table as required.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Ours serves as a second large flat surface so that accumulated junk can migrate from the saloon table to the chart table as required.

Or as a second junk plac when the saloon table gets full.

I have twin steering inside and Cockpit with instruments at both. RAM VHF in cockpit and main VHF and SSB by nav station with fold out seat so paperwork can be done . It also has a lift up top son charts can be stored only for when surveyor wishes to see we have latest chart

 

[Boathook]

The side discussion about where to put the VHF got me thinking about how boats used to be organised around the chart table. That was where all the navigation was done, where the old sounder used to be, the VHF set was installed, where the Decca was, which was followed by the GPS. If there was a radar, it lived there too. When chartplotters arrived, they too were initially put on the chart table, because that’s where you navigate, isn’t it?

Technological progress has changed all that. Now we can put the instruments where they logically belong, or where we prefer to have them and organise the boat more ergonomically. In our case that means wind, depth and log on the hatch garage, plotter under the sprayhood, command mic and autopilot remote control next to the companionway and usable under the sprayhood. Sailing shorthanded we have all the tools in the cockpit so we can make decisions without leaving the action. At the wheel there is a repeater that has all the data and the autopilot control. I’d like to have a cordless remote mic there as well.
The chart table is used for planning and preparation, the relevant paper chart is always there and when on passage we make an hourly entry in the logbook.

How have you organised yours?

Mines very similar. All the 'tools' at hand. My exception is the standalone radar that is down at the chartable, but can be seen from the helm. It just that the radar came well before the plotter so back then navigation was done at the chart table.

 

[dunedin]

Ours serves as a second large flat surface so that accumulated junk can migrate from the saloon table to the chart table as required.

On our boat it is strictly the skipper’s junk that is allowed on his chart table - a hallowed space which if anybody else dares put anything then there will be severe repercussions

 

[justanothersailboat]

Fold-out, inside but right next to the companionway. I don't want to have to go below to see them.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Chart on the chart table, Vhf hand mic sits on the top where it's easy to hear and grab. My only criticism is that I can't accept DSC calls on the hand mic so have to go below to press the button on the radio.

 

[ashtead]

Like to have the chart table to store the bits and use to navigate from but just Normally to log hour position from iPad repeating plotter info . It does help if you then wat to compare with a paper chart as the land closes. You can also sit either side of it to plot etc

 

[Roberto]

On our boat it is strictly the skipper’s junk that is allowed on his chart table - a hallowed space which if anybody else dares put anything then there will be severe repercussions

Sometimes it would be impossible to add anything else