AFI makes a really nice looking and affordable Cockpit Teak cockpit table that fits well in the C320.

The main problem I had with it was that it has a fold down leg supporting the table that is in the way when the table is being used and simply too easy to kick.

I’ve made some simple modifications to this table that eliminates the need for this folding leg, and included the important details in this article.

Pictures of the finished project are in my photo gallery in an album named: Cockpit Table (Link not working)

The drawing below provides the dimensions for the new support leg and bracket. The entire table still folds down flat as before, only easier since the leg drops down by itself when the table is lifted up. I reused the SS hinge that came attached to the stock leg. I suppose you could also modify the original leg to serve as the new support leg as shown below. I chose to use a tropical hardwood known as IPE or Ironwood since it blends nicely with the teak, and is much stronger and weathers better. It’s also much cheaper. Just be sure to pre-drill every hole to nearly the finished size. It really is like iron, but machines very nicely.

 

 

Construction Tips: For those who don’t do alot of woodworking, here is a tip on drilling the holes in the Support Bracket.

 

Since you can’t drill “half a hole” very easily, cut two boards exactly the same dimensions as the back Support Bracket. Clamp the faces of the two boards together, mark off where the center of each tube would go through and drill straight down the crack where the two faces meet. Make sure you have a scrap piece of wood below this so that you don’t get any tearout when the drill exits the bottom. When you unclamp them, you’ll have half a hole in each board.

 

Take one of these two boards and chop the middle section out of it to give yourself the front support bracket boards. I used angle cuts, but this isn’t necessary. You may not need to cut the center part out at all, so there’s still room for improvement here.

 

I installed two small blocks on the underside of the table to form a pocket where the new Support Leg will rest. I positioned these once the table was installed. CAREFULLY drill some small pilot holes in the teak. Don’t use more than a single screw in each of these blocks since that will prevent the table from expanding with the weather and could cause the top to split in dry weather.

 

Feel free to post comments if you need more information or have additional questions.