Teak folding table

Walk around any boat show and it seemsthat almost every other booth has a new take on a drinks holder. I like a cold one as much as the next man but some of the these drinks holders are very expensive and pretty recherche in the extreme. While it is true that you may want some place to hold your drink whilst out boating ideally everything aboard should have more than one configuration and be capable of more than one function so it was with great joy that I saw this table arrangement on a Freedom 36 the other week. I think that the pictures are fairly self explanatory but what I like about this table / cup holder is it's simplicity; no fancy hardware and nothing to break. As you will see it is all made from teak and teak plywood and consists of a drinks holder securely clamped to the crash bar ahead of the compass binnacle. When out cruising this offers a great place to hold mugs and cans without fear of spillage and yet within easy reach of the helmsman and crew in the cockpit. But what really sets it apart is when you get into port and you need to set up the table for alfresco dining. The table is simply lifted off it's stainless hooks and pulled away from it's clips keeping it neatly in position and slid into the horizontal, no metalwork, flaps, hinges or other impediments to adjust or break off for that matter. I could also see a use for this table arrangement down below, on a powerboat for instance where the cup holder section of the table could be attached to a bulkhead or other surface. Obviously not as solid and secure as a pedestal mounted table perhaps but more than adequate for use when in port or clement weather and unlike a demountable pedestal table no pole to store and get lost.

 Just in case the photographs do not make it perfectly clear I enclose a cross sectional sketch so that you can see the relationship of all the parts and as ever you can click on any of the photos to make them bigger.

 

Comments

[Matt]

Hi Mark,

The Beneteau 321 I sail has a similar arrangement. Neat, tidy, efficient, and no little parts to break.

[Harold Breuninger]

1990 Morgan has same arrangement

[Blaine McKibbin]

Hi Mark, I like this design so much that I have built one myself. But I am now looking for a source for the SS L-hooks that the table hangs on as well as the plastic clips that secure the table to the crash bar. Source suggestions appreciated. 😀

[Mark]

Blaine. Glad that you have built your own table. If I remember correctly the plastic clips came from West Marine and the L hooks from Home Depot

[Todd herreid]

Hi Mark, I also like the design and would like to build one but I’m unsure how the cupholder is attached to the crash bar. Thanks.
Todd