hey Bob,
we (almost) never use the table while underway
it stays in the folded position ( on a pearson 30 this just makes sense)
and one reason follows:
now that you're a dad, you'll realize not everyone should be on deck when
things are happening.
a couple of years ago we were returning from a 10 day trip.
it was late fall and blowing like stink and i sent the kids below.
my mistake was not having them sit on the leeward (port) side. (below deck
ballast )
we were hit by a moderate gust on a closehaul which launched the kids across
the cabin (starboard to port)
airborn.
had the table been down, i am pretty certain someone would have been
injured.

the times it has been used is when we are drifting about on a hot day and
the kids need a break from the sun, lunch, game of poker, etc.

gf.


"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
A Dinette is great when at anchor or in a slip or on a power boat. On a
Sailboat, in a heeled position, it is a waste of space.

What ever are you talking about? Why aren't you on deck when sailing?
Underway
we find the quarter berth snug and secure if either of us wants a nap.. At
anchor the dinette is simply fantastic and is far nicer. It also opens to
a
very large double. It never blocks off the whole cabin. Sadly, our next
boat
has no dinette. Most large boats have a dinette including a Swan 48. Waste
of
space? Don't think so!

RB