Low buck projects- Let's see 'em!

[ccriders]

Originally Posted by CarbonSink62

Console for stereo, VHF, and one speaker:



The final version will not have the speaker; the stereo & VHF will be lower and side by side.

You must not wear tri-focals. If you did, you would have to get down on your knees to read the dials!
But I like the idea and will try to use your idea to improve the functionality of my stove.

[TakeFive]

I think I posted some in-progress pics in another thread last winter, but not the finished product. So here's my under-$100 drop leaf cabin table upgrade.

The Catalina 250 is blessed/cursed with an oversized cabin table that is great for opening charts (and eating), but severely hinders access to the settee lockers and front v-berth (and its ample storage underneath). Also, the paper-thin white melamine laminate was yellowing from bleed-through of the brown sublayer, so I wanted to spruce up the appearance. (Also, I couldn't find matching melamine edgebanding, so I needed to resurface the whole table.)

Here's a "before" pic, with my proposed drop leaf seams Photoshopped in to see how it might fit:

Cardboard mock-up of the table:

Test of the drop-leaf brackets on my cardboard mock-up:

Table right after cutting with a circular saw:

After applying unfinished cherry veneer:



The finished product:

Costs:

Cherry veneer: $40
Drop leaf brackets: $16
Nickel plated piano hinges: $9
100 SS screws: $10
Polyurethane clearcoat: $8

Note that I am in a freshwater environment and run a dehumidifier 24/7, so corrosion is less of a problem than it might be for some of you. I expect the chromate coated drop leaf brackets to hold up OK in this environment, but salt water might have required powder coat or $tainle$$ brackets (which I was unable to find at any price).

After almost a full season of use, this has been one of the best things that I have done for my boat. Access to all of the storage under the V-berth and settees is significantly improved. I keep the leaves down basically all the time, but flip them up as needed almost every time I am on the boat.

[SloopJonB]

Looks great - two thumbs up.

[jppp]

Looks great, super functional, improvement over existing system. This might win you
LBPOTY.

[Sea Dawg]

Nice piece of work, all around. Good idea and good execution.

[bljones]

Nice work, RD/TF!

(Not to be confused with MGTF, which is a whole different bag of green onions.)

[VK540]

As this post was started in 2008. I am wondering if you set a limit of $200.00 to reflect inflation if more projects would get posted? Just a thought, nice thread, love it and either way I am getting good ideas at the $100.00 level!!

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by VK540

As this post was started in 2008. I am wondering if you set a limit of $200.00 to reflect inflation if more projects would get posted? Just a thought, nice thread, love it and either way I am getting good ideas at the $100.00 level!!

Having the limit set a a "Boat Dime" is pretty low.

[sailordave]

I really didn't need the drop leaf table in my saloon. We prefer to eat in the cockpit, we can eat hold our plates if it's raining out and taking the table out really opened up the interior. Plus w/ numerous sails that I'm still sorting out...

Anyway taking out the table left four bolts sticking out of the sole. Even w/ the acorn nuts on they still posed a threat to bare toes and to klutzes that aren't observant of things.

I decided to put blocks of wood over the bolts to protect them and our feet.
Some years ago I scored some huge cutoffs of hardwood at the landfill in a dumpster! Mahogany and oak, 18x20x2"

I cut blocks of mahogany to match the footprint of the table, drilled holes for the bolts and then used a forstner bit to drill a hole for the washers and to recess the acorn nuts.

As an added feature I decided to cut a slot in the bottom between the holes to take a strap so I can tie stuff down in between the blocks; sail bags, plastic bins, etc. Just need to get a soft rug to lay on the sole so it doesn't scratch.

Of course you have to stain and varnish appropriately!

Total cost. $0. I had the wood, stain and varnish on hand.

[bljones]

Originally Posted by VK540

As this post was started in 2008. I am wondering if you set a limit of $200.00 to reflect inflation if more projects would get posted? Just a thought, nice thread, love it and either way I am getting good ideas at the $100.00 level!!

We haven't had 100% inflation in 4 years but you bring up a valid point.

The $100 limit was arbitrary, easy to remember and reflects my idea of low-buck- a handful of $20 bills, or less than 2 hours labour at most boatyards. That was true ion 2008 and is still true today.

But, i think there is a whole realm of "mid-buck" projects that could be explored.
VK, start the "Mid Buck Projects" thread for $200 boatwork...or maybe to be more inclusive, $200-500 boatwork projects.

Kick it off, brother!