Some friends own a 55+’ catamaran that is their primary residency. They live on the boat with two young kids (4 and 6) and the boat sails primarily in the Virgin Islands (I live in MA).
They are considering commissioning me to build a table for the boat. I’ve never built marine furniture. Other than typical wood movement, what considerations would I need to take into account for a table that will on a boat and be used heavily by a young family?
Replies
I don't even think the wood movement will be much of an issue. If you build it in Summer in MA it will probably be stable forever in the VI. Being a dining table and presumably below deck it might as well be indoor furniture. If I am wrong Gulfstar will surely drop in and correct me. I'm guessing a gateleg design that can be securely fastened for travel would be the ticket.
The design depends on part on expected usage and portability. I built a marine table for cruising friends. The top was 3.5 feet square. collapsible, teak and holly top (expensive) and cherry legs. They used it in the cabin and the cockpit for two years, cruising the South Atlantic. They now have it in their living room. When they sold their boat, the buyer wanted the table as part of the deal. Another friend built a maple, cabin table with the top featuring nautical charts under epoxy.
Brian
I agree the wood movement problem here is not your typical seasonal expanding Contracting but being able to build it in an environment similar to what is going to be living in almost year round. The other thing I would make sure that all Fasteners any screws Hardware would be stainless steel or brass
Maybe these are silly questions...
- does the table need to be secured to the boat?
- Does it need a lip to keep things from sliding off?
Ensure the clearances allow you to get your dimensions below deck. Also, a gimbaled center-piece with clearances up to the max heel angle would be complicated, but a home run with the family.
Seeing as though it's a fairly large cat, I don't think they're flying a hull very often. I can't imagine it heels very much.
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