Salon table post removal

[Scott]

I was wondering if anyone has removed the post that the salon table rides up and down on so as to make a larger double birth, or does it have some structural importance.

[Dolce_Vita]

We have seen evidence that there is noticable structural flexing of the cabin roof when sailing.  Two of the screws at the top of our post would work themselves loose from the flexing.  This was due, in part, to the holes being worn out and not gripping properly, but did reveal that the roof does indeed flex.  So, I would think it best to leave it in place.

BTW, our fix was to rotate the top flange 60 degrees and drill 3 new properly-sized holes.  Holding tight so far...

[rkfitz]

If you look in the bilge beneath the post you will notice that there is nothing under it to transmit load to the hull, so the post is not structural, it is simply sitting on the sole. That being said, a 40 year old boat can use all the help it can get.