Remove chart-table

[Dossing]

Hi all,

My 1976 #1080 does not have the port bunk bed, behind the chart-table. Since we're now up to 5 people I need to create that bed by removing the wall behind the chart-table. Then I got thinking if I actually could just remove the chart-table to get avoid taking up the whole space below the "locker"?, so I both keep some locker-space and get a full length bed. I really don't use the chart-table for anything. Anybody have removed the chart-table?

Thanks

Best Regards
Frank
#1080

[Bob McGovern]

Hi, Frank. Our Ballad (#18?) also has the aft-facing chart table and no quarter berth. It should be simple to turn that space into a berth, either with a forward-facing chart table (as on later Ballads) or no chart table at all. Probably still need a navigation station there somehow, but not necessarily a chart table. Is most of your sailing day trips, or do you sometimes do longer, over-night trips?

[Dossing]

Hi Bob,

I did not know that some Ballads have the chart-table facing the other direction. For now we crusing small trips, learning to sail - and with small Kids onboard its mostly in great sailing condition only. That said, we spent 9 days aboard this summer, sailing small trips, but enjoyed the life around/in the habour.

I think I'll see how much I can get going removing the Chart table. Maybe it can come in handy as a House Chart-table. It's still a good quality piece of furniture. I'll update later with pictures when thinkgs happens.

Thanks.

Cheers
Frank

[prjacobs]

Hi Frank,
Interesting that our boats are only five numbers apart (mine is #1085) yet the chart tables are different. I have a forward facing chart table which is handy to sit my laptop on while sailing, and a great place to hang out, out of the way, when the Admirable is in the galley.
This is a picture taken during reconstruction. The side cabinet was yet to go in. If you need any measurements or pictures I'd be glad to help.

[Bob McGovern]

For this discussion & future reference, this boat has a slightly modified aft-facing nav station, similar to our 1972 Ballad:

http://www.western-horizon.co.uk/archiv ... boat_id=51#

This one is closer to the original, with sliding cupboard doors:



Cutaway drawing of the forward-facing desk and quarter berth:



And a photo of same:



You could omit the clamp-on desk and extend the bed all the way to the bulkhead, which would reduce space stolen from the locker. And the head of the bunk would make a nice seat. For day sails, the saloon table or a settee can be used as a chart table. (I have always been a bit puzzled about the chart table/quarter berth arrangements on longer voyages, if the quarter berth is intended as a sea berth. How does the watch person mark the chart without sitting on their crewmate's head? Also, wouldn't the cushion get very wet?)

[Dossing]

Peter and Bob,

thanks for your replies - time just flow away and spring is suddenly here. I quit the thought off removing the chart-table, so just today removed the wall so we can use the port bunk bed. Still a lot of small stuff to do with cleaning up etc.

Peter, maybe I did not explain good enough, but I think we have the same layout, with the chart-table facing forwards.

Best Regards
Frank

[prjacobs]

Frank, sorry for the misunderstanding.
My only complaint of the original table was that the space between the engine box and the table was too small to get my fat leg through. I ended up removing about 2" from the aft edge of the whole unit and now it's fine.