I made this today. Pretty happy with the result
Posted by Agent_Andy007@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I was lucky enough to get some 1 inch marine grade plywood from my job (has nothing to do with boats ironically) and I used the 4 x 4 foot peice and some old teak scraps I replaced on my boat to make this new table and try for my cockpit. Ive done this table three times and this is the first time i did it with the right materials and actually put finish on it. Before this, I just put up with the shoddy work of the previous iterations, but this time I actually felt a little proud of the result. What'd you all think? Upgrade or waste of good wood?
The round table is my second attempt at this project. It was a big circle of an hardwood i just happened to have that i adapted into a table. It already had the slots cut into it so I really shouldn't have used it but I wanted a project to work on and that's the result. It worked well enough but im way happier with this new table. Sorry for the photos being taken in the dark idk why I always end up taking photos at night 😅
SailorMDI@reddit
Great job! I did something similar to this, but never did it to that level of craftmanship.
TAGSHK@reddit
Beautiful work
Entire-Register-8912@reddit
I bet you are!!!
Strict-Air2434@reddit
Not into it ... Just too much racing. However, this looks like a superb job. Figure out how to make a canvas cover unless you love to varnish.
TRGoCPftF@reddit
Honestly, it’s very easy to be self critical of one’s own work, so let us internet strangers reassure you, that’s awesome work man. Truly.
hazmat171@reddit
Nice work! For those attempting their own, Edson sells a hardware kit that I believe came with some plans. I made one years ago after I inadvertently sanded thru the veneer of the original.
t-ride@reddit
Very nice work. Now be sure you have a good cover to keep it out of the sun when not in use.
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
I want one but I didnt know there weren't any universal fit cheap ones that just get you by. Now my options are make one or get a custom one made so it looks like I'll be refinishing this table eventually
yasharrra@reddit
Very nice, a compliment from a boat technician
ez_as_31416@reddit
I would wonder about a raised lip or fiddles on the table like you have on the part nearest the wheel.
That looks really nice, You want to do some projects for others? Your skills exceed mine.
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
I do projects for my marina neighbors pretty often, like right now im replacing a floor in a fishing boat on the weekends. I just don't know if its viable as an occupation because of where I am. Ive thought of moving to Annapolis and applying to a shipyard as an all-rounder since I can do a little bit of everything, including apholstry and canvas. I even go up masts when I need to but I've never asked them to pay me because they're friends. I also enjoy the work because its always one more thing I've never done before
To answer you question about the lip, I couldn't do that on the table because it folds up. They would get in the way of the table closing, and I also don't have anymore teak since the pieces I had were just barely enough for the tray
ez_as_31416@reddit
Good point about the folding. And the fixed part has a lip, so that can always be used to hold cups and glasses if needed. I've used that open weave rug anti-slip stuff under plates as it prevents sliding.
It may start as a side job, but it may grow. You might gain valuable experience in a bigger yard, but it's not bad being a big frog in a small pond. I've met people that had a hobby that got out of hand. A lot boat manufacturers started out that way back in the day. Most of them are gone now. But don't be afraid to charge for your work -- even friends. You can always say, "Sure I can do that, and I'll give you the friends and family rate." If they have a boat the can afford to pay you for your skill.
Glenbard@reddit
Very spiffy! Did you use a stain on it or just a varnish? What UV protectant did you use? I made the mistake of using a polyurethane when I redid my companionway a couple of years ago and I did not do enough research on the crap I bought…. Zero UV protection so now I have to redo it. Your project looks great!
FredIsAThing@reddit
Looks useful. Well done in that regard. Consider putting acorn nuts on the end of all those raw bolts. As it is, it really looks like an easy way to lose some skin or damage a shin if you get some unexpected boat motion.
If that turns out to stick out too much, you could remove the u bolts and cut them down a little so that the acorn nut is the only fastener.
IvorTheEngine@reddit
That looks lovely. The ply and teak match well. Cockpit tables need to suit how you use the boat, so 3 iterations sounds about right.
Things that might be missing (or just not important for you) are a way to stop the table swinging around when folded, and somewhere secure to put drinks when heeled.
beitush1@reddit
Looks so good!! We need to do ours over the winter. Yours is the inspiration I needed!
DrMonkeytendon@reddit
Good job. Make a cover. The thing you will notice is how quickly things deteriorate if not covered.
audentis@reddit
It looks good and is practical: sufficient size, but doesn't get in the way when not in use.
What more could you want?
65HappyGrandpa@reddit
Very well done!
Carry on!
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
Thank you 🫡 im in the process of redoing all of the old "improvements" I made to my boat when I first got it so it doesn't look quite so bubba'd up
65HappyGrandpa@reddit
That's great!
It sounds like you may have developed a better sense of what looks good on the boat. Perhaps you've also improved your boat wood working skills. Most likely a combination of the two.
Have you been looking at other boats and getting a sense of what types and styles of wood working looks best on that particular boat? Then, by extension, I imagine you'd get a better idea of what would work on your boat.
It's interesting to see how some boat brands are known to have very strong wood working craftsmanship -- excellent joinery is one term bandied about -- and other brands seem to shun wood altogether. Of course, there's now the artificial wood that's come into play to reduce a boat owner's long hours of wood maintenance. Teak wood is gorgeous, for example, but it's also a demanding mistress! As a result, far fewer boats have teak now than in the distant past.
Look forward to seeing your other wood projects!
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
Most of my projects started as necessities. For example, my companion way is now a door that has a large hole in it for a window unit air conditioner. I went through three different iterations of that too before I finally made one the worked well and didnt look like a high school science project. Ive since done things like my companion way steps, my cabin table (oday had this folding contraption that flexed the entire bulkhead it was screwed to so I redesigned it with better leg support), I put a gun rack in my head (im military so guns are just part of life here), and a few fold-down tables in my gallery to extend counter space since the ODay 28 wasn't exactly designed for the livaboard chef. That's not everything I've done over the years but its the most memorable ones for sure
I also put the little folding armrest/ table thing above the pillow in and the two smaller shelves above it. I intended them to be assisted for my cat to get into her hammock to look out the window disguised as shelves and one day I'll finished them with a rail so thing don't just slide off
outdoors_guy@reddit
Looks great! You have plans that could be shared?
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately i made this on the fly so I dont have any plans, but I can take more photos so you can copy the overall design if you want. Measurements wouldn't be of much use unless you also happen to have an ODay 28 lol
outdoors_guy@reddit
I’m mostly needing info on the hardware…. So please- anything you can share that would allow me to ‘copy’ the idea would be welcome!
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
Yeah thats fairly easy. I got the hinges for the tabletop at home depot, but you have to replace the screws with the pan head ones or the table sides will sag. The hinge that the table folds up and down on is a stainless folding shelf hinge rated for 400 lbs I got on Amazon and I used stainless U-bolts to hold the mounting board to the tubes. I used a jigsaw, circular saw, palm sander (80 grit and 220), and trim router with a roundover bit for the edges and the holes for the u-bolts. Just be careful about the measurements for the u-bolt holes that they aren't too far apart or in the wrong position in relation to the tubes. The finishes I used are an oil based stain and gloss lacquer
Kahliss814@reddit
Beautiful!
21onDec23@reddit
That's some super impressive craftsmanship man! Well done
Agent_Andy007@reddit (OP)
Thank you! It's always hard not to be critical of your own work so its reassuring to hear that something I've made looks good to others
smartalek75@reddit
That looks awesome. You should be proud.