Cutting in cup holders in aft cockpit table

Kevin Kidd

Member
Oct 16, 2017
41
California Delta
Boat Info
270 Sundancer 2000
Engines
7.4 Mercruiser w/ Bravo 3 outdrive
Happy Holidays Sea Ray owners,
This weekend I am going to install stainless steel cup holders into the aft cockpit table on our 2000, Sundancer 270.
I purchased a brand new 3 3/4" DeWalt hole saw for this project.
Any suggestion's or recommendations would be appreciated.
I really don't like cutting or drilling into my boat so I'm a little uneasy about this.
Thanks in advance!
 
Put masking tape over the area you are going to cut - run the saw in reverse to start the cut, it scores the gel coat and helps prevent it from chipping. Measure it twice and cut it once!
 
After you cut the hole seal the rough edges with something to keep it from shipping in the future.
 
All good advice. The Only thing I can add is that once you get it done you use something as a trim piece/bezel that inserts and covers the cut part of the hole you drill and set it in place with some kind of silicone. Boatlife comes to mind.
 
To best avoid chipping, bevel the cut edge at an ~ 45* angle. You don't have to do too much - you really just want to get the gel coat away from the edge. And you don't need to be overly pretty with it, either - but remember to not go too far or you'll see it as the cupholder probably doesn't have a very wide edge/lip.
 
I did what was said above and it worked great.
 
Run the bit in reverse the whole time. If you've never used a hole saw, those teeth can grab and almost twist your arm off. Running in reverse prevents this. You're only going through 1/4" of fiberglass so even in reverse, it won't take long.


Also, make sure your drill has a 1/2" chuck. You'll need it.
 
Not sure about the 270 but on the 310, the table stores under the engine hatch. If that's the case with the 270, do the drink holders interfere with storage (or did you make them removable)?
 
Not sure about the 270 but on the 310, the table stores under the engine hatch. If that's the case with the 270, do the drink holders interfere with storage (or did you make them removable)?
The table stores under the engine hatch on the 270 also, The cup holders are removable.
 
I did the same thing early last summer and just taped the area where i was going to drill and everything went well. ran the drill forward and thru with no problems.
 

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If you install them as I did, it will fit in the engine compartment storage shelf and you wont have to make them removable. I used a silicone to to attach them to the table. I installed the table into the storage shelf and marked out where to drill the holes. I used a hole saw and tapped the area to avoid chipping.

Good luck,

Mark
(I also went with the smaller cup holders - even though I don't usally have bottles on board))
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Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions. Here are the final results, I'll be going out to the boat in the morning and will post photos of the table in the cockpit. It was much easier to cut the holes with the drill in reverse as a couple of your suggested. boatrboy, thanks for the photos on how you installed them. I did consider your configuration, but the Admiral (My wife) wanted the 4 corners. Thanks again everyone.
Kevin
 
Looks awesome and great idea. I think I might do the same. I don't know how many drinks have slid off our table. I even have extra holders from changing out all the plastic one for stainless ones.
 
Kevin,

That table looks different than the original one which fits under the hatch in the engine compartment. Did you make a new one or did searay have two versions?
 

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