The original saloon table in our 1990 Catalina 42 was very specifically designed to be a PITA. A narrow trestle with 2 drop leaves. With the drop leaves up it was OK as a table but required some contortion to get into the outboard side. Also required a knee-slither to get to the cabinets behind. We never could figure out any usefulness with the leaves down. No knee room.

After several tried and rejected designs we settled on a pedestal table with a flip-over. Large enough for lunch for 2. Now we even have a place to sit and tie our shoes.

Opened for dinner.

The pedestal is 4" pipe on a 1/4" baseplate. The cabin sole is 3/4" plywood with fiberglass both sides and plenty rigid. Construction is steel with automotive primer and paint. Probably could have been aluminum but I only have equipment for fabricating steel. The white bungees hold the trawler lamp when underway. Stowed here.

The flip section is supported with a drawer mounted to file cabinet glides. The first try was a set rated for 150 lbs. They were rigid enough but I was afraid I (or some other oaf) would fall against it and bust something. The replacements are a set rated at 500 lbs (!). Bring on the elephants.

Long winter, warm workshop. Time for some care with details.

I went with maple instead of something like teak mostly because the boss loves maple. Also had some left over from the new kitchen cabinet project for the house last year.