Is a chart-table necessary?

[ssmoot]

I'm specifically thinking about liveaboard catamarans here. I can see how on a monohull or chartered boat you might want a dedicated space to set up your laptop if nothing else.

Assuming I had a nice salon table to work on my laptop or iPad at, and that even if I carried paper charts that's probably where I'd be looking at them, is there any advantage to having a dedicated chart table in your opinion?

Am I'm missing something completely obvious to seasoned sailors and liveaboards?

[eyschulman]

No but it is nice to have, but any desk type space is a plus.

[ssmoot]

Originally Posted by eyschulman

No but it is nice to have, but any desk type space is a plus.

Thanks. That makes sense. Still learning!

[frozenhawaiian]

necessary? no, but it certainly is nice to have.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by eyschulman

No but it is nice to have, but any desk type space is a plus.

yes^^^


Why?


'Cuz cluttering up the main table with "office stuff" gets tiresome to the other family member(s).


Unless you're the person who re-stitches the sails, would you like the sewing machine out in view all the time in the prime location?

[sailorboy1]

No, if I really want to be able to flip through my charts I need to take them off the nav table and move them to the salon table

[Cheechako]

I most often used the salon table anyway. I used the chart tables more for the computer and storage of nav tools.

[malcolmlj]

After 20,000 plus nm., mainly blue water. I concluded the chart table was mainly for people to dump junk on.
Usually look at charts folded on my lap or open on the saloon table.
Chart table is like an appendix, serves no current need but still there for tradition !!

[Dooglas]

I have found a chart table very useful for a laptop station and for an area to install some instrument readouts. Also keep small tools and navigation instruments in the dedicated drawers of the small desk.

[Trailer Sailor]

I use the fold up settee table in my Balboa 21 for reading my charts. Works for me.

[akprb]

We had a chart table facing forward on our 50’ cat witn a nice comfy chair and all instruments including autopilot control head.

Particularly appreciated in inclement weather.

Spent many happy hours there. Highly recommend ;-)

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by ssmoot

I'm specifically thinking about liveaboard catamarans here. I can see how on a monohull or chartered boat you might want a dedicated space to set up your laptop if nothing else.

Assuming I had a nice salon table to work on my laptop or iPad at, and that even if I carried paper charts that's probably where I'd be looking at them, is there any advantage to having a dedicated chart table in your opinion?

Am I'm missing something completely obvious to seasoned sailors and liveaboards?

You're not missing a thing. Most of what they call chart tables on recreational boats are to small to hold a chart. A salon table is more practical and would save unutilized space. You might want to dedicate a storage area for nav. gear such that you don't need to hunt through the Cambell's soup.

[AndyEss]

If I had the space on my boat, I'd have my mini-lathe, MIG welder, table saw, a bigger wine cellar, more counter space around the stove, and a bigger refrigerator to fit more beer. As most boaters - we are limited in space though it's sorta fun storing stuff in really weirdly shaped spaces. It's even more fun when I can find something I stored months before, or a long gone girlfriend has moved.
My chart table is totally useless and is covered in crap I haven't yet figured out how to fit anywhere else.
Waste of space.

[Cpt Pat]

I'm a proponent of having paper charts as a backup to electronic navigation and for situational awareness purposes, but a dedicated chart-table will consume a lot of precious space to accommodate the only-occasional use of paper charts. It may be due to my own acclimation to having very little space as a pilot (if it won't fit in your lap you can't use it), but I have a piece of smooth wood sheet that I store under a cushion for plotting on a paper chart.

That "portable chart-table" can also be brought up to the cockpit when it's convenient, and referring to the chart from the cockpit helps in relating charted objects to visual observations. I still take bearing sights with a hand-bearing compass (or compass in my binoculars), and it's a hassle to write down the bearings and then have to carry them down to the cabin for plotting. I use spring-loaded clips to hold the chart in place in a windy cockpit, and a shackle and lanyard to clip the entire board to secure it from being blown overboard. A strip of wood at the bottom of the wooden sheet keeps my pencils from rolling away. Primitive but cheap, light, and effective.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by AndyEss

If I had the space on my boat, I'd have my mini-lathe, MIG welder, table saw, a bigger wine cellar, more counter space around the stove, and a bigger refrigerator to fit more beer. As most boaters - we are limited in space though it's sorta fun storing stuff in really weirdly shaped spaces. It's even more fun when I can find something I stored months before, or a long gone girlfriend has moved.
My chart table is totally useless and is covered in crap I haven't yet figured out how to fit anywhere else.
Waste of space.

I loved the humor! Along with the sound advise.