Coffee Table

The back corner of the cabin is a great spot to sit for morning coffee so we added this little coffee table. Its also big enough for a laptop computer or a toasted bagel on a plate. Constructed from 1" Afromosia (African Teak), it hinges up for access to the little door where you check the engine oil. It removes completely with a couple of thumb screws for when you want to remove the stair and panel to access the engine room. Horizontal support comes from a stop mounted to the stair. An pin is available to hold the table in the up position while working through the small engine room door.

I was lucky to find a piece of Afromosia that was 15 inches wide allowing the table to be cut as a single piece. For now, no fiddles will be added. That may change later depending on how much junk gets dumped on the floor.

Cockpit Table Extension

One of the first projects completed on SummerPlace was a small cockpit table that could be used while underway. One of the last projects was an extension leaf that allows 2 people to sit at a cockpit dinner table.

The extension is built from 3/4" plywood with a Formica top surface and teak edges. A square base fits closely into the fiddles on the small table and is retained by a screw-in knob. The whole thing removes for stowage in a few seconds. Its kept in the port lazarette in a case custom made by Sandy.

Shoestring Digital Voltmeter

A 2000 watt Honda generator is used on SummerPlace to maintain the batteries while on cruise but the analog panel meter doesn't help much. I wanted a digital meter but a replacement panel mount unit is ~$175 if one can be found to fit. Harbor Freight often has digital voltmeters on sale for three bucks. I wired this one up to a handy spot in the closet.

Now I can watch my batteries charge up without my checking account draining down.

Galley Shelf

There's adequate countertop space on Summer Place as long as you dont want to get into the ice box or bread box. The doors to those spaces also serve as counter top. While preparing meals, you often need to shift things around to pull something out of the refer. It was a juggling act. To help matters, I added a small shelf to gain a few square inches of precious horizontal space.

The shelf is constructed out of 1" thick Afromosia (African Teak) purchased locally. Afromosia is about half the cost of teak and provides a good match of grain and color. The shelf is supported by 2 small hinges and a hook.

Handy