
Cockpit table with a post?
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Sheppie62
- First Officer
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:04 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Mission Bay San Diego
Cockpit table with a post?
Anybody know of someone who has drilled a hole in the cockpit floor to install a table mount? Is floor strong enough there? Would it protrude into aft cabin sleeping area?


- WinSome
- Engineer
- Posts: 180
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:35 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Hamilton Ontario Canada
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
I’m familiar with those post and cups from an older camper trailer. NO! Don’t! They require a reasonable depth of plywood type floor to have any strength. It’s not available (IMHO) -in depth nor material strength.
Let’s find you another option. What is your concern with a table leg?
Let’s find you another option. What is your concern with a table leg?
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JaxMacX
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2021 8:21 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Jacksonville
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
Bwy has a binnacle table (https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/6304-1x0.htm ) reasonably priced and then I’ve seen another table with a different company that was much more expensive (http://www.dowsar.com/options.htm).
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OverEasy
- Admiral
- Posts: 2890
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
Hi Sheppie62!
I agree with Winsome!
I believe there isn’t the dept in the cockpit floor to mount the support cup without having to cut into the headliner of the aft berth. There have been several nice binnacle table mods done using bought tables like from BWY and other really nice custom ones made by members on this forum. Some are also slip-on/slip-off removable and/or can double their width out to th bench seats too!
That leg and pocket are sort of bulky and can leverage the floor interface a good bit.
We’ve previously removed our Mac26X binnacle to redo/modify/reinforce it’s attachments to the cockpit floor. (There are four cap plugged holes in the aft berth headliner you should be able to remove to get an idea of the limited space between the cockpit floor and aft berth head liner for yourself if desired.) I’d suggest that if you do go with this leg and socket to plan on a scheme to reinforce it from the bottom to distribute the potential leveraged stresses that are apt to be incurred.
Best Regards
Over Easy



PS: Just an FYI
Here is a really nice one we admire from the Mods Section you might be interested in (that has a pull out cup holder too!):









I agree with Winsome!
I believe there isn’t the dept in the cockpit floor to mount the support cup without having to cut into the headliner of the aft berth. There have been several nice binnacle table mods done using bought tables like from BWY and other really nice custom ones made by members on this forum. Some are also slip-on/slip-off removable and/or can double their width out to th bench seats too!
That leg and pocket are sort of bulky and can leverage the floor interface a good bit.
We’ve previously removed our Mac26X binnacle to redo/modify/reinforce it’s attachments to the cockpit floor. (There are four cap plugged holes in the aft berth headliner you should be able to remove to get an idea of the limited space between the cockpit floor and aft berth head liner for yourself if desired.) I’d suggest that if you do go with this leg and socket to plan on a scheme to reinforce it from the bottom to distribute the potential leveraged stresses that are apt to be incurred.
Best Regards
Over Easy
PS: Just an FYI
Here is a really nice one we admire from the Mods Section you might be interested in (that has a pull out cup holder too!):









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Sheppie62
- First Officer
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:04 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Mission Bay San Diego
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
I suppose I could 5200 an aluminum plate underneath with a hole in it for the table base socket. Under the pedestal there is under an inch of space between the headliner and the floor. I hate to be drilling holes in the fiberglass especially in such a wet spot. The plus’s of a post mount table is I can make it larger for say playing cards for3- 4 people ( My pedestal is moved back and up 8-9” and the extra foot space for the round post makes seating for a large table possible). but, then I need to store it. The fold up table is so convenient




- dlandersson
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
Ok, my X has a table mountd on the steering wheel pedestal. Yours does not?
- Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
I have an early version of the BWY table. I don't use it often, but it is very handy when I have company overnight.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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OverEasy
- Admiral
- Posts: 2890
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
Hi Sheppie62!
I see where you are coming from with your extra space due to your new pedestal.
After all that nice work I can see why you wouldn’t want to clutter it up with a permanent folding table.
At the same time might you not consider a “removable” cantilevered table that could use slip in mount points on the pedestal post?
Would be the same size surface you’re interested in but could avoid penetrating the cockpit floor.
Just thoughts….
Best Regards
Over Easy



I see where you are coming from with your extra space due to your new pedestal.
After all that nice work I can see why you wouldn’t want to clutter it up with a permanent folding table.
At the same time might you not consider a “removable” cantilevered table that could use slip in mount points on the pedestal post?
Would be the same size surface you’re interested in but could avoid penetrating the cockpit floor.
Just thoughts….
Best Regards
Over Easy
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Sheppie62
- First Officer
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:04 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Mission Bay San Diego
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
I have these seat post bases/ poles I could use. I will look again to see if a tilting table could work, I’m thinking the table size I want will at least need a leg or two




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OverEasy
- Admiral
- Posts: 2890
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
Hi Sheppie62!
That could work but as you already know some of those components might be ferrous iron materials which could be an issue.
(It’s just me but I’m hesitant to make holes in floors and ceilings if it can be avoided where water could be involved…
)
I’d still think some level of reinforcement /load spreading would be a good idea given the lever arm of the pole height to table surface.
I like repurposing and reapplying things in new ways so I can see where you are coming from.
The important thing is does it make sense to you and your needs.


Best Regards
Over Easy



That could work but as you already know some of those components might be ferrous iron materials which could be an issue.
(It’s just me but I’m hesitant to make holes in floors and ceilings if it can be avoided where water could be involved…
I’d still think some level of reinforcement /load spreading would be a good idea given the lever arm of the pole height to table surface.
I like repurposing and reapplying things in new ways so I can see where you are coming from.
The important thing is does it make sense to you and your needs.
Best Regards
Over Easy
- dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 4938
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
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Sheppie62
- First Officer
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:04 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Mission Bay San Diego
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
I found the perfect folding table. And it comes with a free surfboard! No seriously a single leg (or 2) like the ironing board could work if the table was attached to the pedestal.


- Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
How about attaching it to a piece of plywood a little larger than the base and then glassing the plywood to the deck?
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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Sheppie62
- First Officer
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:04 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Mission Bay San Diego
Re: Cockpit table with a post?
Thanks for fiberglass idea, I am thinking drilling a hole there really isn’t that big a deal, with aluminum reinforcing underneath. The pedestal has 4 bolt holes drilled thru the floor and that’s not an issue leaking. Here is a nice table/ hand rail on a boat, but that boat is a lot wider I suspect.






