dinette or couch with table?

[water rat]

Wow. great insight from both sides. So far, voting is 60/40 in favor of the sofa... I can see the pros and cons of both choices, and am enjoying everyones input.

 

[duman95]

We opted for the dinette because the table used with the crescent sofa is a wimp. It shows nice in the brochure if all you want it for is a couple wine glasses and a bowl of grapes. If you really want a sofa, drop the dinette table, put in the filler cushions now you've got a sofa that you can put up your feet. The storage below the seats provide a lot of room, and cabin storage in a 300DA for bulky items is minimal.

I agree. If it was just my wife and I again the sofa would be the choice. But with 3 kids that sort of changes the picture. We will most likely never eat at the dinette but as you stated drop it down, fill it, and the four of us can lounge on it very comfortably and watch tv and relax... It really depends on your situation.

Our 280DA had the sofa and the table was never set up ever for the 5 years we owned it. Matter of fact I sold it and forgot to give the lucky new owners the overlay that went on the table to expand it, as it was at our house and never made it down to the boat the whole time we owned it...

 

[Sundancer]

We eat at the dinette in the morning and at night. It's a nice place to play games, prep food, review maps and watch TV. It's easily converted to a bed and is nice and wide that way. The sofa would be OK, but I didn't like the layouts in the boats we looked at that had it. Our boat is 11 feet wide and with 4 LARGE adults sitting at the dinette, I've never noticed the boat listing.

 

[Bridog]

FYI...You can fit 4 LARGE people on the couch, (and you don't have to look at them ... not sure about the dinette.

 

[Sundancer]

FYI...You can fit 4 LARGE people on the couch, (and you don't have to look at them ... not sure about the dinette.

But it's summer and people are wearing bikini's and swimsuits. I don't mind looking across the table at my scantily clad wife or her scantily clad friends! :grin: :smt038 :smt043 :thumbsup:

 

[Stray Cat]

But it's summer and people are wearing bikini's and swimsuits. I don't mind looking across the table at my scantily clad wife or her scantily clad friends! :grin: :smt038 :smt043 :thumbsup:

Just be careful if you play footsie...

 

[searayman300]

We went from a 260 to a 300 with a dinette and love it. We specifically compared the dinette to a sofa and had the choice to buy either. To us the dinette won out with practicallity and storage. These were two things missing on the 260 and the 300sofa. We have had 4 adults eating at the dinette and yes it was close but not a problem. While the sofa was more spaceous, eating dinner there with multiple plates and drinks looked challenging to me. Good Luck!

 

[SeaHarley]

We wanted (or thought we did!) the sofa option basically because it looked more open and modern. Our 310DA came with the dinette table. Therefore, we had no choice. Can't say I regret that either as we actually use it quite a bit. Not just for eating, but using the laptop, another place to sit inside besides the bed. Oh, and then there's that storage - put all that crap on top of it thing - !!! WUWT? But I guess putting clutter on top of the sofa table would happen just the same.
All - in - all, I like the dinette...........

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

We have the sofa and leave the table stored most of the time. The cockpit has an excellent table setup on the 300DA. Honestly though, I would use a dinette if we had one, especially when the weather is nasty. The sofa table is not comfortable for eating or using a laptop, IMHO. The wife preferred the more modern look of the sofa so we went that route.

 

[jamesgang]

For us, the sofa works best. It's extra "countertop space" for letting dishes dry or a place to stretch out to watch a movie. The table has a dedicated storage spot in the area under the front vee mattress. The seat part slides out with a cushion insert to accommodate a couple of overnight guests. There is also storage underneath. There is also a smaller settee in front of the vee berth. We like having more elbow room in the cabin and eat mostly at the cockpit table anyway.