dinette construction
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:37 am
Hello everyone! I have slacked off but the next phase of interior restoration is on the way for our Baby Alcan 290 (Baby Blue Whale, formally "Holdfast"). Unfortunately we are not in the water since i tore things apart last fall. So the next phase of work involves building things back to the way they were and doing some better.
The Alcan 290 was never well designed on the inside for eating. Basically it originally had 2 beds at either side at the stern with back flip -up bunkies. A table was between this set-up but one could never get comfortable. For one you did not look out nicely (too low of a table relative to the window) and no back support since the backs of the beds(bunkies) were far too far away to sit and lounge. Couple this with the previous owners removal of the original boat sized narrow beds with full sized mattresses and yes you could sleep but not move. As well we need storage for the bedding which seems to take up all visual space.
Solution: Since the original bed locations are on a 7" rise off of the floor on either side, we are re-locating the dinette area with two benches (with box storage underneath 32" wide) to port side in place of one of the original single beds with flip-up bunkie. This set-up allows us to gaze nicely out of the port window side and take proper advantage of the large windows. This dinette table will lower to accommodate a double bed+ sizing. The dinette bench will be 3 person wide at stern (48", includes 16" cantilevered seat over central floor area) and 40" at front bench (also 8" cantelevered to minimize visual mass) so as to provide seating for 5 and a more V-dimensioned bed. The starboard side will have a new original sized 32" bed (with storage box underneath) and a bunkie will still be there as a fold-up/down rear of bed.
As well we intend to provide for a small staircase in front of the stern window so that we can climb out the rear window (now that the table set-up is no longer in this location), and the same stair will serve as a night table for the starboard bed. I think this set-up will make for a bigger feeling lower area and become much more practical. All new construction will be faced with teak to resemble the original, and i intend to re-use some of the original facings.
Question: I need to have a dinette table that flips/raises and lowers from bed to dinette easily. Any ideas? I understand that Lee Valley has the pop-up spring loaded legs. But i was wondering how the tables work in your boats? Any pictures would be help-full.
The Alcan 290 was never well designed on the inside for eating. Basically it originally had 2 beds at either side at the stern with back flip -up bunkies. A table was between this set-up but one could never get comfortable. For one you did not look out nicely (too low of a table relative to the window) and no back support since the backs of the beds(bunkies) were far too far away to sit and lounge. Couple this with the previous owners removal of the original boat sized narrow beds with full sized mattresses and yes you could sleep but not move. As well we need storage for the bedding which seems to take up all visual space.
Solution: Since the original bed locations are on a 7" rise off of the floor on either side, we are re-locating the dinette area with two benches (with box storage underneath 32" wide) to port side in place of one of the original single beds with flip-up bunkie. This set-up allows us to gaze nicely out of the port window side and take proper advantage of the large windows. This dinette table will lower to accommodate a double bed+ sizing. The dinette bench will be 3 person wide at stern (48", includes 16" cantilevered seat over central floor area) and 40" at front bench (also 8" cantelevered to minimize visual mass) so as to provide seating for 5 and a more V-dimensioned bed. The starboard side will have a new original sized 32" bed (with storage box underneath) and a bunkie will still be there as a fold-up/down rear of bed.
As well we intend to provide for a small staircase in front of the stern window so that we can climb out the rear window (now that the table set-up is no longer in this location), and the same stair will serve as a night table for the starboard bed. I think this set-up will make for a bigger feeling lower area and become much more practical. All new construction will be faced with teak to resemble the original, and i intend to re-use some of the original facings.
Question: I need to have a dinette table that flips/raises and lowers from bed to dinette easily. Any ideas? I understand that Lee Valley has the pop-up spring loaded legs. But i was wondering how the tables work in your boats? Any pictures would be help-full.
