how to fix a cockpit table to a mainsheet track

[wotayottie]

my boat has a mainsheet track across the cockpit just in front of the wheel. SWMBO wants a cockpit table and I dont want to carve a nice hole into the teak floor of the cockpit for a support pole. Neither do I want to use one of those ugly hinge out supports that you bolt to the cockpit sides

so I was wondering if anyone has successfully attached a cockpit table to the underside of the mainsheet track. mine is Lewmar from the 90s and seems to have a groove in its underside. I was thinking of ways to attach something underneath with maybe two horizontal holes in it that might take two 19mm stainless tubes that in turn could support the table.

anybody done something like this?

 

[wotayottie]

can nobody help a sailor who is likely to be in great distress if swmbo does not find a table fixing?

 

[sailorman]

we have a bracket made by a Dutch Co. it comprises of a fixed plate to a bench side with a clamp that holds a "Z" aluminium tube.
i will try to get info

 

[sailorman]

This is ours

http://www.improducts.co.uk/products/pedestal_systems/supports/

 

[Highndry]

Could you not use G clamps or similar to fix something to the track?

 

[Talulah]

.... mine is Lewmar from the 90s and seems to have a groove in its underside. I was thinking of ways to attach something underneath with maybe two horizontal holes in it that might take two 19mm stainless tubes that in turn could support the table.

Essentially two ways that track is fastened down. One is to have bolts all the way through the track. The second is to have hidden bolts where the heads slide into the groove on the underside of the track.
It sounds like you have the latter.
So I would suggest the starting point is two get a couple of bolts sliding up and down the groove and use wingnuts on them to secure a table..

 

[VicS]

My table fits to the main sheet horse with wooden chocks and turn buckles and has a folding leg.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Does it have to attach to the track?

I have made cockpit tables for my last 3 boats which clamped onto the wheel's binnacle using 'overcentre' clips and supported at the inboard end with a soft-footed alloy strut which fits into a socket on the table's underside.

 

[pugwash60]

I'm doing something similar. The table is removable. My track is bolted to a cross piece. I'm drilling through the frame two horizontal holes. Bolts with wing nuts go through the holes and through a flap hinged at one end of the table. The other end of the table has a hinged leg. I think that the flap arrangement will make the table quite steady. For fun, or possibly safety, the table is the same shape and size as both my washboard together so I have a spare hole filler for the hatch. You might be able to do something similar?

 

[wotayottie]

Does it have to attach to the track?

I have made cockpit tables for my last 3 boats which clamped onto the wheel's binnacle using 'overcentre' clips and supported at the inboard end with a soft-footed alloy strut which fits into a socket on the table's underside.

Yes - the track is about a foot forward of the binnacle. The only way to attach something to the binnacle would be self tappers and maybe saddle clips with tubes running through them. Dont want to go that far if I can avoid it.

 

[Contest1]

Mine is a Black and Decker workmate, has a posh teak cover for guests.
I like things that double up so it also gets used in the cabin for inside dineing, and great for repair and maintanence.
Lives in the wet locker when not in use.

 

[Upnorth]

Saw this picture on the web. It's X332 with table fitted on traveller. Not good enough resolution to see all detail though.

 

[BlueChip]

I have two clips on the pedestal which hold one end of the table using a removable rod , then a folding strut at 45 degrees from the other end of the table to a clip on the pedestal.
You need to move the traveller to one side so it cannot be used at sea but apart from that it works well and is robust. I am sure they are standard Whitlock fittings.
I've got a photo I can email if this is not clear.

 

[Spyro]

I don't know if this is any help but you might get an idea.
The small legs fit onto the mainsheet track just in front of the companionway. They are from B&Q. they fit into the stopper holes on the track. They screw into studs that I bonded into the table with epoxy. The bigger legs are also from B&Q and just screw into flat fixings on the table. all the legs are removable for stowage. I believe Ikea also do similar legs.

 

[causeway]

I'm doing something similar. The table is removable. My track is bolted to a cross piece. I'm drilling through the frame two horizontal holes. Bolts with wing nuts go through the holes and through a flap hinged at one end of the table. The other end of the table has a hinged leg. I think that the flap arrangement will make the table quite steady. For fun, or possibly safety, the table is the same shape and size as both my washboard together so I have a spare hole filler for the hatch. You might be able to do something similar?

That's a great idea!