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Traditional to Dinette Conversion ?

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cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2005 : 21:14:01

Lately I've been thinking about trying to convert the traditional interior of my '83 SKTR to dinette.
1. Has anyone done this before?
2. Are there any opinions

about this not being a good idea?
Thanks for ideas.
Chris

Yam Ka '83 SK/TR #3749

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2005 : 21:25:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cclark
 2. Are there any opinions

about this not being a good idea?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes

Edited by - on

cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2005 : 21:27:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cclark
 2. Are there any opinions

about this not being a good idea?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That you'ld like to share? (with us here on the forum,soon, in written format?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 09:12:31

Chris,

What are your reasons for considering a dinette conversion?

Edited by - on

Brent
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 09:26:17

If you like to sail your boat and really need a dinette configuration, go buy a dinette version that will meet your needs.

If you like to work on your boat for hours on end then this might be a good project to consider.

The boat will be harder to sell. The repairs, depending on your skill, will probably never really blend into the original work. If the potential buyer does any research he/she will realise that the boat has been converted.

I can hardly keep up with regular maintenance and upkeep for sailing and working etc. let alone a major undertaking.

But if you decide to go through with it I would suggst that you find a stripped out dinnete version in a boatyard and cut out the components you need rather than forming them yourself.

If space is a big issue you might consider moving to a 30 or 32. They are not much more around here.

Just thoughts.
Brent

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 09:45:09

I just got my latest issue of "Good old Boat" yesterday in the mail. They have an article, with pictures, about someone who did exactly what you are considering. This modification was done on a Cheoy Lee 31.
I didn't read the article, just looked at the pics. The author cut out a piece of the seat and inserted a table in the middle.
Good luck, and let us know what you do.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 10:30:41

How many of you are there in your crew? How many people are typically on your boat? I basically threw my table away so big tables are anathema to me however. If I spent a whole lot of time on my boat on open water, I might want a big honk'n table. If I did, I would build it the width of the port main bulkhead and to a depth of about half the port settee. I would have a flip-out on the centerline of the boat so I could sit at the table from the forward end of the starboard settee.

Edited by - on

cclark
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2005 : 15:46:39

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I too saw the good old boat article and that is what rekindled the thoughts that a dinette would be a nice thing to have. In the coming years, I plan to spend more and more weekends and vacations on the boat. I have a young family, and being able to have people sit across the table from each other and still get around the cabin is a plus. Also, being able to convert the dinette to a full berth is a plus. (I know about the tech tips for creating a bed in the main saloon, and planned on probably doing that) The GOB article just made me think I would get some other's opinions on the subject.
Chris

Edited by - cclark on 02/28/2005 21:23:33

mwalkup
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2005 : 20:46:03

Chris,
Why not sell your current boat intact and buy what you want.

Save your time and your boat.

Mike
83 fk/tr traditional salon, and glad of it.

Edited by - on

cclark
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2005 : 21:21:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mwalkup
 Chris,
Why not sell your current boat intact and buy what you want.

Save your time and your boat.

Mike
83 fk/tr traditional salon, and glad of it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Because if I start down that road, I end up here
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&checked_boats=1298894&slim=broker&&hosturl=marineservicenter&&ywo=marineservicenter&

Don't get me wrong, There are things I do like about traditional lay out. Withough the table set up, there is lots of room down there, and with it fully extended, lots of room for eating/table use.
But Thanks,
Chris

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2005 : 14:12:27

CHRIS,

On the other hand there is this fellow with a dinette model low these fourteen years who wonders if he wouldn't be happier with a conventional interior.

These thoughts usually are a result of walking on surfaces that don't rise and fall as we walk upon them. I confess that hardly ever do I think about such things while asea.

I'll share one conversion though that I often think about doing. Ever want to go wide open..I mean tear the entire topside deck off. I have. Usually happens soon after crowning myself while trying to negotiate the below decks area bent over but not far enough and WHACKO, I get these ideas and headaches to boot.

AYE AND MORE SNOW ON THE WAY...DANG GLOBAL WARMING

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2005 : 14:25:27

I want to raise the poptop and build a permanent (small) pilothouse and rip the interior out and build a proper galley and sea berth.

Why not? I'd say get a saw and wood and build what you want.

Cheaper and more fun than getting brokers and selling / buying, plus you get what you want.

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 13:14:21

Jim, I was pondering a similar idea about the pop-top. Thinking of how possible it would be to get three pieces of plexiglas acrylic sheet and cut, heat, bend; put guides or rails on the deck, to be able to lift the pop-top and insert two on the sides and one angled in front. Figure out a way to secure them to have a pop-top raised about a foot with windows all around. Make it removable. Voila, instant head room.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2005 : 14:50:35

We standard riggers certainly can afford the space under the boom for an Alberg bump.

Edited by - on

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