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Altering the dinette

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newell
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Initially Posted - 11/11/2010 : 14:09:34

I have searched the forum for an answer to this question but found none. Perhaps someone has thoughts on this modification. I have a 1980 swing keel C25 (non-dinette model) and am giving thought to building in a dinette. Has anyone done this? Are there any thoughts on doing this. I am thinking that it would not be too difficult to add on to the existing port side settee with wood and ply.

Newell
1980 C25 SR/SK
AVALON

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piseas
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 14:19:23

Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A

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newell
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 14:22:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, I did the same but none of the responses really address the issue that I have raised.

newell

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PCP777
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 14:49:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, I did the same but none of the responses really address the issue that I have raised.

newell
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You might also look at the L shaped dinette, seems like it would be easier to make. It's what I have and I love it, but I never ever raise the table, I love the double wide berth and I sleep on my boat all the time.

Do you use your table a lot?

Edited by - on

newell
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 15:31:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for the tip. I had not thought of that. We do use the table and the dinette would make a good base for a wider bed.

Yes, I did the same but none of the responses really address the issue that I have raised.

newell
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You might also look at the L shaped dinette, seems like it would be easier to make. It's what I have and I love it, but I never ever raise the table, I love the double wide berth and I sleep on my boat all the time.

Do you use your table a lot?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 17:11:59

Newell
I have a dinette setup, and after seeing the model with the port and starboard settee, and the load of space you get, I would not advise you creating a dinette layout. First, once you walk down the companionway stairs, you've got a separator between the galley and the dinette which is the backboard/seatback for the rear bench seat. It is in the way and I'm constantly bumping my "sensitive parts" on it (and that really smarts!).

The seat is molded into the sole, and cannot be easily removed without major surgery.

The dinette table is too long, and sticks a little too far out into the aisleway. That makes it tough to move fore and aft, and creates a pinch point. I don't mind the forward bench seat, as it is mounted up against the mid-ship bulkhead and out of the way.

If I had my druthers, I'd like to create a narrower, shorter table and completely eliminate the aft seat and bench platform. It would be very tricky making it flush with the cabin sole and blending the whole thing together.

If you come up with a plan or solution, pls let me know. I'd be interested in your results.

Edited by - on

newell
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 17:36:38

Thanks, Bruce......if I do this project, I will be certain to take lots of pictures along the way. I like the notion of the dinette because it offers possibilities for a double bed that you can't really get otherwise. WE have tried the athwart ships maneuver but it really does not work very well.<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 Newell
I have a dinette setup, and after seeing the model with the port and starboard settee, and the load of space you get, I would not advise you creating a dinette layout. First, once you walk down the companionway stairs, you've got a separator between the galley and the dinette which is the backboard/seatback for the rear bench seat. It is in the way and I'm constantly bumping my "sensitive parts" on it (and that really smarts!).

The seat is molded into the sole, and cannot be easily removed without major surgery.

The dinette table is too long, and sticks a little too far out into the aisleway. That makes it tough to move fore and aft, and creates a pinch point. I don't mind the forward bench seat, as it is mounted up against the mid-ship bulkhead and out of the way.

If I had my druthers, I'd like to create a narrower, shorter table and completely eliminate the aft seat and bench platform. It would be very tricky making it flush with the cabin sole and blending the whole thing together.

If you come up with a plan or solution, pls let me know. I'd be interested in your results.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 17:43:23

Bruce: Shorter would be easy--I thought about doing that. Narrower would result in a table that couldn't be dropped to the seat level where it sits on the little steps in each seat.

Newell, I think the "L dinette" might be your most realistic objective. I think it might be the nicest layout--funny it was discontinued early on. I like the simplicity of making a double berth that doesn't eliminate an aisle. It would seem to be a reasonable thing to do to the "traditional" layout, but Bruce's dinette would take some very aggressive surgery to change to an L.

Edited by - on

jerlim
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 18:01:00

Newell - I haven't seen a cabin layout similar to ours before your posting (BTW - great shot of the junior Cap'n in the photo...

) we are really happy w/ the layout. I added a pin (think bolt) through the pedestal table base and use it to stand on from the cockpit when reaching forward to the vang and other times - it's quite a useful foot rest. We also got a piece of high density foam, cut it to size, sewed a cover and it serves as a great mattress over the 3 cushions, creating a comfortable sleeping salon

I also see you have the main sheet on a track over the cabin? I'd love to learn more of that mod when you get the chance.

Edited by - jerlim on 11/11/2010 18:02:39

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 11/11/2010 : 20:54:01

Jerry--I think you're referring to Peter Powers' (PCP777) photo. I know he has the cabintop traveler (made practical because he has no pop-top).

Edited by - on

calden
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 10:11:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 Newell
I have a dinette setup, and after seeing the model with the port and starboard settee, and the load of space you get, I would not advise you creating a dinette layout.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Totally agree. I know that the settee/dinette choice is a personal one and neither is intrinsically better, but there's such little room on this boat to start with.

When I looked to upsize from a San Juan 21 I was on and off tons of boats in the 24-28' size range. EVERY boat I looked at with a dinette configuration felt so cramped, even those with standing headroom. There is an aisle and a few places to sit, and no where to stretch your legs or lean back.

I bought a C25 settee boat, and it has more room inside than a C27 dinette model I looked at. Aside from the actual space involved, there is the psychological feel of having the space inside creating a sense of roominess.

I like the L-shaped dinette, though - that looks like it has possibilities, and would be more likely to engineer in to a settee layout.

My opinion and all that...

Edited by - calden on 11/12/2010 10:17:09

jerlim
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 13:34:48

right again Dave...

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PCP777
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 14:04:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jerlim
 Newell - I haven't seen a cabin layout similar to ours before your posting (BTW - great shot of the junior Cap'n in the photo...

I also see you have the main sheet on a track over the cabin? I'd love to learn more of that mod when you get the chance.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The traveler came with the boat when I bought it. You'll see that I'm using a couple of extra cabin top winches in the video with it but for light air I prefer the jam cleats in light air. After I got roller furling I just tried some different variations.

At 20 seconds in this video you can see the traveler arrangement, very much like what you see on a C-27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtVL0NXBKDo

back to the down below arrangement, the L shaped doesn't get in my way much and gives us a nice big roomy bunk on the port side. here's a pic where Jack has moved the cushion so you can see where the table is in the down position.

Also, the separator that voyager mentions with the full dinette option is not in the way...you see my aisle is clear although you still have to jog to starboard when you go down below.

What's funny is the admiral has mentioned the idea of pulling out the table completely to make more space when we have company. I have vetoed that idea as there would be no place to put the table. But that gives you an idea of the space issue that others have mentioned.

I think keeping the space open is the best idea and look at some of the queen bed arrangements that are possible with your set up as mentioned in the forum.

Your set up is like what my friend has on his C-27 and he removed his table completely to install an LCD TV. As it is both of us sail all the time, have company on board one or both boats and sleep on our boats at least once a week and neither of us use the table on either boat for anything. The wife and I typically eat in the cockpit. Of course we're in Texas with a nice warm climate.

When we bought the boat we did have romantic ideas of sitting around the table playing dice and card games but it never happened in two seasons so far. We just never raise the table at all.

So before I made major mods to the boat I'd really think about this...how long have you had the boat?

Edited by - on

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 14:08:29

I specifically wanted the traditional settee layout because it offers so much open room in the main salon. However, we do not overnight on the boat much at all. I have seen mods where a platform was made to bridge the two settees to create a near queen size bed, sleeping athwartship. Of course, it does make getting to the head and v-berth a bit difficult.

Posted in 2002 by Douglas & Ruth Young:
I had a traditional interior. I made the whole cabin into a queen size bed by putting boards / slats between the seats. We slept port to Stbd and it is just over 6'6" wide. It doesnt get any better that that. Oh yea wait it does. I also used on of those large inflatable air matreses and it fit.

Edited by - dmpilc on 11/12/2010 14:15:36

islander
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 17:03:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The dinette table is too long, and sticks a little too far out into the aisleway. That makes it tough to move fore and aft, and creates a pinch point<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Make a shorter table. You will be amazed how much more roomy it is without that over sized plank in the way. This is actually a breadboard I found in a store. All I had to do is stain and poly it.

This is the underside

Edited by - islander on 11/15/2010 19:07:15

newell
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 19:17:26

Scott:

Is that a fold down backrest in the foreground of the picture??

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by islander
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The dinette table is too long, and sticks a little too far out into the aisleway. That makes it tough to move fore and aft, and creates a pinch point<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Make a shorter table. You will be amazed how much more roomy it is without that over sized plank in the way. This is actually a breadboard I found in a store. All I had to do is stain and poly it.

Edited by - on

jerlim
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Response Posted - 11/12/2010 : 19:34:16

nice use of bimini fittings

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newell
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Response Posted - 11/15/2010 : 08:00:02

Peter:

The l shaped dinette might be the answer for me. Can you give me the approximate dimensions for the following:
1. Depth of the l portion of the settee
2. Approximate width of the "bed" at the aft end (it seems like it ought to be about 40")
3. Approximate length of the bed.

Finally, is the keel trunk encased in the L portion of the settee? ( I have the swing keel version)<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, I did the same but none of the responses really address the issue that I have raised.

newell
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You might also look at the L shaped dinette, seems like it would be easier to make. It's what I have and I love it, but I never ever raise the table, I love the double wide berth and I sleep on my boat all the time.

Do you use your table a lot?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

PCP777
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Response Posted - 11/15/2010 : 15:17:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 Peter:

The l shaped dinette might be the answer for me. Can you give me the approximate dimensions for the following:
1. Depth of the l portion of the settee
2. Approximate width of the "bed" at the aft end (it seems like it ought to be about 40")
3. Approximate length of the bed.

Finally, is the keel trunk encased in the L portion of the settee? ( I have the swing keel version)<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, I did the same but none of the responses really address the issue that I have raised.

newell
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You might also look at the L shaped dinette, seems like it would be easier to make. It's what I have and I love it, but I never ever raise the table, I love the double wide berth and I sleep on my boat all the time.

Do you use your table a lot?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I will measure it all out next time I get out to the boat
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

newell
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Response Posted - 11/15/2010 : 16:48:31

Thanks...that will be a big help.

newell

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 Peter:

The l shaped dinette might be the answer for me. Can you give me the approximate dimensions for the following:
1. Depth of the l portion of the settee
2. Approximate width of the "bed" at the aft end (it seems like it ought to be about 40")
3. Approximate length of the bed.

Finally, is the keel trunk encased in the L portion of the settee? ( I have the swing keel version)<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by newell
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Not sure what you did but I typed in "dinette" (w/o ") and got tons of hits. Make sure you select catalina 25 for search forum.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, I did the same but none of the responses really address the issue that I have raised.

newell
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You might also look at the L shaped dinette, seems like it would be easier to make. It's what I have and I love it, but I never ever raise the table, I love the double wide berth and I sleep on my boat all the time.

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 11/15/2010 : 18:23:31

WOW Scott. You SHORTENED the table a lot! I thought I might shave 6" off, but your table looks like it would probably work fine for most uses.

I might take a slightly different tack and make a table that's the same width of the original, but 1/2 its length, while keeping a second half stored on board to completely fill the gap between the seats when I want to set up a queen size bed.

That should provide a good compromise between space and utility.

Edit- I see you also kept the original length table which is pictured in the foreground as the back to the aft bench seat. How did the dimensions work out?

Edited by - Voyager on 11/15/2010 18:26:07

islander
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Response Posted - 11/15/2010 : 19:03:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I see you also kept the original length table which is pictured in the foreground as the back to the aft bench seat<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No Bruce, That is 2 photos. I'll try to edit so it's not so confusing.

Edited by - on

WesAllen
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Response Posted - 11/15/2010 : 20:36:53

Nice job. It looks very sturdy with those brackets. I thought that it was one picture also until you pointed it out. Now I can see that it is 2. Looks twice as good now.

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Stu Jackson C34
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Response Posted - 11/20/2010 : 11:35:09

I think you'd be making a BIG mistake, but that's my opinion (too). I think the idea of the shorter table in a dinette model is very cool. The knee buster aspect of the dinette is very true.

But here's an idea: Why not make a cardboard or foam board mockup of what you want and try it out? It's not so much the table issue, 'cuz I think you'll find your idea of a double is very small.

Our traditional was a ballroom down below. We kep the table up until dinner time.

Edited by - on

Sam001
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Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 20:03:57

I cut 4 inches off the dinette table, re-attached the hardware and it made a huge difference. Still plenty of table top room, but opened up the main salon a lot.

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PCP777
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Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 06:38:24

Wow, I feel bad, I forgot this thread, and never measured.

Edited by - on

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