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Footspace

jimcleary

jimcleary

James M. Cleary
I have always been uncomfortable sitting at the chart table with the footpace angled below. Over the years there were numerous attempts to level it out by stuffing things underfoot. This year, mainly because I don't have any other major projects, I decided to level off the space. Yesterday I installed the cleats to support a platform. I was wondering if anyone else have done a project like this and how did you go about it?

Jim
 

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Cool. I had never thought of this. If I were you,I would figure out a way to have a lid on top or a door on the outside (lid woukld probably be better), so you will have created a new locker. Good place for shoes perhaps. My projects this year include dividers in the chart table, something I should have done years ago. Right now I use various plastic boxes, but it is not really efficient.
 
I have found this uncomfortable too, and pondered what to do about it. Too many other projects to bring the boat up to snuff right now. What I considered (in my head only), was an angled foot rest on the aft side chart table cabinet. Kinda like a bar foot rest but in wood. I like your idea Jim, and my first thought, like Terry's, was MORE stowage too!
Mitchell
 
The seating arrangement at the chart table is quite bad. I am too tall for adding cleats or a foot rest, my knee is already twisted funny. And there is no back support, either. In rough seas, it is impossible for me to stay seated and work there. And dangerous as I would get through side to side and end up on the floor.

What worked best was sitting sideways. I stuffed cushions against the side of the quarter berth and leaned against that. My feet were against the galley sink. This provided at very secure seating arrangement where I didn't move, and it made reading and working much easier. Unfortunately, I was twisted sideways to look at something on the chart table. After a while that made my neck hurt. I want to do something, but not sure yet. I think the best arrangement would be to rebuild the thing, with a seat that pulls out of the side, so you are sitting more on the centerline of that boat. A real seat, that moves less because it is on centerline, with more foot room. But a major redesign of the area.
 
I was out working on the foot space this morning. Posting photos of the project. Photos 20 & 21 show the fitted top and side of the enclosure with the hatch for storage. The top will be covered in Threadmaster. The side will be teak veneer.

Terry
Thought you might be interested in some chart table ideas. Photo 14 is a homesote winter cover that lets the table be used as a workbench. Photo 15 shows 2x3 blocks which allow the top to be level during the winter (this idea is compliments of Dick Kilroy from MA). Photo 16 shows the table top with information placed below a 1/8th sheet of plexiglass. Photo 17 shows the sheet of plexiglass hinged up. The hinge is clear packing tape. Photo 18 shows the inside of the table with a cubby that fits chart books and quarter folded Noaa charts. The rest of the space is filled with a lot of assorted kitchen draw trays. I hope this gives you some ideas for your project.

Warren
I'm hoping that the flat foot space will be more comfortable. But I also don't like that there is no back rest. To overcome that I use a Sport-a-Seat folding chair to support my back. During this mornings test of the new box I realize that it will fit my legs. I am 5'8". It would not work for someone with longer legs.

Mitchell
Now that there will be a new storage locker on board, I get to ponder what the contents will be. lots of ideas!

Jim
 

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Wow, that does look good, and the storage is needed too. I wonder if i can accommodate longer legs with some sort of step. Two flat steps at different heights, one for each foot. So at least my feet would be level though not the same height.

I have also thought of a swing away backrest, that stores against the engine room allowing the berth to be used, and then swings out to form a back rest. And some sort of custom mattress with a switchable pillow/seat. The seat being a harder foam with a "U" shape to make it easier to sit while healed.

I really like the plastic on the chart table too. Its a great way to protect a chart, and you can write on the plastic, and clean it up when done. If you often sail the same area, it keeps the chart easy to clean.
 
Warren

To get the level that it's at, I chiseled away about 3/4" of the stbd/aft corner of the floor board. It could be made lower by not bringing the top not all the way to stbd to meet the bulkhead.

Jim
 
I have a big macrame strap to hold me in place in the galley. I have not had problems at the chart table, perhaps because I have not been in enough (or more than enough) rough conditions. But a similar strap might work at the chart table. I have already reduced the seat width by installing a cabinet. The 1/4 berth was not a real double anyway.
 
Jim - this looks like a great idea. I’m adding it to my list. Thanks for sharing.

Warren - kind of like Terry’s macrame strap, I use the seat from our kayak as a seat/backrest at the Nav station. It’s nice and compact, easy to install/remove. I don’t have any photos of ours, but it looks like the photo below, and can clip into padeyes I installed on the Nav desk.

1681833714513.png
 
Mark

Google the company "Sport-a-seat" Years ago I brought one home from a boat show. The ensuing battle over the comfortable seat was settled only by going back to the show for another seat. We use them all over the boat. Don't get the Worst Marine knockoff, it's a made in china piece of shit.

Jim
 
When using a seat like that at the chart table, how stable is it? Even with straps to the chart table or anything else, I would think that with the seat sitting on the quarter berth cushion it would move around and not really provide support in a seaway.
 
Warren

You are correct. That kind of seat is not stable in a seaway. But it is comfortable when at anchor or on the mooring. with our kind of cruising we are rarely at the chart table when underway. What you need to devise is a seat that gimbles and slides side to side like on the Imoca round the world boats. Something that you can sit, sleep, and work the boat at the same time.

Jim
 
Jim - thanks for that reference on Sport-a-seat. I have looked at the WM version and agree with your assessment.

Warren - it's pretty darned stable with the straps, but we've not used it in a seaway ... just anchored or moored. Usually we are in the cockpit or asleep in a bunk while in a seaway. You're right: in the livelier seaways we've experienced it probably wouldn't be sufficient.
 
I have seat like that (stadium seat) that I use for working aboard. I also set my computer on the fiddles of the two bulkheads just forward of the nav table. I stand with the sink behind and face outboard. Alternating between these two postions I can work a full day without too much discomfort. Underway I wedge in similar to Warren. I rarley make marks on charts these day so its the office not the nav station.
 
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