Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table – Hardwood Playfield
A Solid Birch Butcher Block Playfield, 10 Coats of Lacquer, and the Puck Control That Only Real Wood Can Give You
The Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table is the rec room centrepiece that earns its place through genuine hardwood craftsmanship — and plays as good as it looks.
The Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table (model BG1305 in 9-ft; BG1312 in 12-ft) is built the way a serious shuffleboard table should be: a 1.75-in thick solid birch butcher block playfield finished with 10 layers of lacquer for a glass-smooth, fast surface; 1-in thick solid wood side and end aprons that keep the table rigid through years of competitive play; carpet-padded gutters and EVA-cushioned end protection pads to absorb the impact and quiet the sound; and three pro-style climate adjusters to keep the playfield perfectly level regardless of seasonal humidity changes. The contrasting light birch and walnut-finished cabinet gives the Merlot the presence of fine furniture — and the complete accessory set means you're playing the moment assembly is done. Select your size above.
Why the Merlot Plays Differently Than a Budget Shuffleboard Table
Every feature of the Merlot — from the butcher block playfield to the climate adjusters to the solid wood aprons — is a specification that separates it from tables with veneered or composite playing surfaces and hollow cabinet construction.
Solid Birch Butcher Block Playfield with Lacquer Finish
The Merlot's playing surface is 1.75-in thick solid birch in a butcher block construction — real wood, not a veneered composite — finished with 10 successive coats of lacquer. That lacquer build creates the glassy, smooth surface that lets pucks glide predictably and consistently, and the depth of the coating means it holds up through years of play without showing the scratches and drag spots that develop on thin-finished tables.
Pro-Style Climate Adjusters Under the Playfield
Wood moves with seasonal temperature and humidity changes — even solid birch. The Merlot's three pro-style heavy-duty climate adjusters are threaded metal bars positioned under the playfield that you tension or loosen to counteract any bow or concavity in the playing surface. This is a feature found on serious shuffleboard tables and lets you maintain a perfectly level, fast playing field through every season without relying solely on the wood staying flat.
Solid Wood Side and End Aprons for Rigid, Zero-Wobble Structure
The 1-in thick solid wood side and end aprons are what keep the Merlot from flexing or racking under competitive play. Thin or hollow apron construction is where budget shuffleboard tables fail first — the table starts to wobble at the joints as the seasons pass. The Merlot's solid wood aprons give the whole table cabinet the rigidity of a properly framed piece of furniture.
Carpeted Gutters and Sidewalls with EVA End Protection Pads
The Merlot's gutters and sidewalls are carpet-lined to absorb puck impact and reduce the sharp crack of a hard landing — the difference between a table that sounds like a game room piece and one that sounds like it's breaking. EVA end protection pads add a further layer of cushioning at both ends where pucks hit hardest, protecting the table's finish and deadening the sound for late-evening play.
Reinforced Double-Paneled Legs with Built-In Storage Shelf
The pedestal legs are double-paneled for extra strength and rigidity, with 1.5-in leg levelers to compensate for any floor unevenness. A built-in storage shelf integrated into the end panel provides a dedicated spot for pucks, wax, and the brush — so everything you need is at the table without cluttering a nearby surface.
Natural Birch and Walnut Finish for a Bold, Furniture-Grade Look
The Merlot's design plays the contrast between the natural honey-warm birch butcher block surface and the walnut-stained cabinet, aprons, and legs. The combination gives the table visual depth and warmth that reads as furniture rather than game equipment — a meaningful distinction when a 9 or 12-ft table is anchoring a significant portion of your game room.
Understanding the Climate Adjuster System
Wood is a living material — it responds to changes in ambient humidity and temperature by expanding and contracting, and over time this can introduce a bow (a subtle curve lengthwise along the playing surface) that makes the game play inconsistently. The Merlot's three pro-style climate adjusters address this directly: positioned at intervals under the playfield, they apply controlled tension to flatten any bow and return the surface to a perfectly level playing condition. Most home game tables don't have any mechanism for this adjustment; having three gives you fine-grained control over a long playing surface. Adjusting them is straightforward and covered in the assembly manual.
Authentic Dual Abacus-Style Scoring
The Merlot includes two authentic abacus-style scoring units — one for each end of the table — that mount to the table itself. Abacus scoring on a shuffleboard table is the traditional method: sliding wooden beads to track points scored in each round. This scoring style is intuitive, doesn't require batteries or displays, and keeps both players' scores visible throughout the game without any dispute about who scored what.
Available Sizes
The Merlot Shuffleboard Table is available in two sizes — select your preferred size above to see current pricing and add to cart.
9-ft (BG1305)
- Overall: 108.5 in L x 24 in W x 31 in H
- Playfield: 8-ft L x 15-in W x 1.75-in thick
- Weight: 235 lbs
- Best for: tighter game rooms; casual to intermediate play
12-ft (BG1312)
- Overall: 144 in L x 24 in W x 31 in H
- Playfield: 11-ft L x 15-in W x 1.75-in thick
- Weight: 268 lbs
- Best for: larger dedicated game rooms; more competitive play distances
Who the Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table Is For
- Game room buyers who want a centerpiece, not just a table — the two-tone natural birch and walnut finish with solid wood construction reads as furniture in a serious game room.
- Players who want a surface that stays fast and level for years — the 10-coat lacquer playfield and three climate adjusters are the features that separate the Merlot from tables that play well out of the box but degrade over time.
- Households in climates with significant seasonal humidity swings — the climate adjuster system is specifically designed to maintain a level playing surface through the wood movement that comes with seasonal temperature and humidity changes.
- Families and social entertainers — shuffleboard is one of the most inclusive game room games: it's easy to learn, genuinely competitive, and works equally well for casual family play and hosting guests.
- Buyers who want everything included from day one — the complete accessory set (8 pucks, 2 abacus scorers, wax, and brush) means no additional purchases are needed to start playing immediately after assembly.
- Shoppers upgrading from a budget shuffleboard table — the solid birch butcher block playfield, solid wood aprons, and climate adjusters are all meaningful upgrades over tables with composite playing surfaces and hollow frame construction.
What's Included
Table (15 pieces)
- Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table (9-ft BG1305 or 12-ft BG1312 — 15 pieces)
- Assembly instructions (Phillips head screwdriver required — not included)
Complete Accessory Set
- 4 blue shuffleboard pucks
- 4 red shuffleboard pucks
- 2 ABS abacus scoring units
- 1 table brush
- 1 can of table wax
Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table Specifications
Construction
| Cabinet Material | Solid hardwood and hardwood veneer (Birchwood and Veneer) |
|---|---|
| Finish | Walnut cabinet and aprons; natural birch butcher block playfield |
| Side & End Aprons | 1-in thick solid wood |
| Legs | Reinforced double-paneled pedestal with built-in storage shelf |
| Leg Levelers | Yes — 1.5-in |
Playfield
| Playfield Material | Solid birch, butcher block construction |
|---|---|
| Playfield Thickness | 1.75 in |
| Playfield Finish | 10 coats of lacquer |
| Climate Adjusters | 3 pro-style heavy-duty |
| Gutters & Sidewalls | Carpet-padded with EVA end protection pads |
| Scoring System | Dual abacus-style scorers (2 included) |
| Players | 2–4 |
Dimensions & Weight — by Size
| 9-ft (BG1305) | 12-ft (BG1312) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Dimensions | 108.5-in L x 24-in W x 31-in H (275.6 cm x 61.0 cm x 78.7 cm) |
144-in L x 24-in W x 31-in H (365.8 cm x 61.0 cm x 78.7 cm) |
| Playfield Dimensions | 8-ft L x 15-in W x 1.75-in thick (243.8 cm x 38.1 cm x 4.4 cm) |
11-ft L x 15-in W x 1.75-in thick (335.3 cm x 38.1 cm x 4.4 cm) |
| Weight | 235 lbs (106.6 kg) | 268 lbs |
General
| Assembly Required | Yes — approx. 90 minutes; Phillips head screwdriver required (not included); two adults recommended |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 15 |
| Model Numbers | BG1305 (9-ft), BG1312 (12-ft) |
Warranty & Buyer Assurance
- Manufacturer's Warranty — Covered by Hathaway's 180-day limited warranty against defects in material or workmanship, honored directly by the manufacturer (Blue Wave Products). The warranty is non-transferable and applies to the original retail purchaser only. For residential use only. A purchase receipt and model number are required for all warranty claims. Contact Blue Wave Products at (800) 759-0977 or warranty@bluewaveproducts.com.
- Free Shipping — On orders over $100, contiguous 48 states.
- 45-Day Returns — Return this item within 45 days of purchase.
- Price Match — Found a lower price from an authorized dealer? Contact us and we'll work to match it.
Manuals & Documents
- Assembly Manual — 9-ft & 12-ft (PDF) — Step-by-step assembly instructions covering both the BG1305 (9-ft) and BG1312 (12-ft) Merlot Shuffleboard Tables, including climate adjuster setup.
- Assembly Manual 2 (PDF) — Supplemental assembly documentation provided by the manufacturer.
- Warranty Document (PDF) — Hathaway's 180-day limited warranty terms and manufacturer contact information.
Hathaway Merlot Shuffleboard Table — Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes is the Merlot available in, and how do I choose?
The Merlot is available in 9-ft (BG1305, 108.5-in overall) and 12-ft (BG1312, 144-in overall) — select your preferred size above. The 9-ft suits smaller game rooms and players who want a more compact setup; the 12-ft is the better choice for larger dedicated game rooms and players who want longer playing distances for more competitive play. Both share the same construction, playfield specs, and complete accessory set — only the length changes.
What is a climate adjuster, and why does it matter?
A climate adjuster is a threaded metal bar mounted under the shuffleboard playfield that you tighten or loosen to counteract the natural bowing that solid wood develops in response to seasonal humidity and temperature changes. Wood expands in humid conditions and contracts in dry ones, which over time can cause the playing surface to curve lengthwise — making one end higher or lower than the other and affecting play accuracy. The Merlot has three pro-style heavy-duty climate adjusters spaced along the length of the table, giving you precise control over the playfield's levelness. Without adjusters, a bowed playfield is essentially unfixable without professional intervention. With them, you can restore a level surface yourself in minutes.
What is the playfield made of, and how is it finished?
The Merlot's playing surface is a 1.75-in thick solid birch butcher block — multiple strips of solid birch bonded together edge-to-edge, like a butcher block kitchen countertop. This construction is denser and more dimensionally stable than single-plank or veneered alternatives. The surface is then finished with 10 successive coats of lacquer, which builds up a deep, glassy coating that provides a fast, smooth surface for puck glide while protecting the wood from wear, moisture, and surface damage.
What accessories are included?
The Merlot includes a complete accessory set: 4 blue pucks, 4 red pucks, 2 ABS abacus scoring units, 1 table brush, and 1 can of table wax. Everything needed to start playing immediately after assembly is included. The one thing you may want to add over time is shuffleboard powder (also called sand or speed powder), which is dusted on the playing surface to further reduce friction for faster puck glide — this is sold separately and is part of routine table maintenance.
How does the abacus scoring system work?
The Merlot includes two authentic abacus-style scorers that mount to the table — one at each end. Each scorer has wooden beads that you slide across a rod to track points scored in each round. Abacus scoring is the traditional shuffleboard scoring method: it's intuitive, requires no batteries or display, and keeps both players' running scores visible at all times. Two units means each player's score is tracked at their end of the table.
How much room do I need for each table size?
The 9-ft table is 108.5 in (just over 9 ft) long overall; the 12-ft is 144 in (exactly 12 ft) long. For comfortable play, add at least 2 ft of clearance at each end for players to stand and deliver pucks, and at least 1.5 ft on each side for access and movement. This means you'll want a room of at least 14 ft long for the 9-ft table and 17 ft long for the 12-ft table to play comfortably. Both tables are 24 in wide, so side clearance is modest.
How heavy is the table?
The 9-ft Merlot (BG1305) weighs 235 lbs. The 12-ft model's (BG1312) weight is not currently published by the manufacturer — contact Deck & Den or Blue Wave Products at (800) 759-0977 for the 12-ft weight before purchasing if this is a planning consideration. Given the 1.75-in solid birch playfield and solid wood apron construction, both models are heavy tables that should be assembled in their final room — moving them after assembly is not a one-person job.
What is the built-in storage shelf, and what does it hold?
The Merlot's double-paneled pedestal legs feature a built-in storage shelf within the end panel structure. It's sized to hold pucks, the wax can, and the table brush — keeping your accessories within arm's reach during play without needing a separate side table or cabinet. Having a dedicated storage spot for accessories is one of those practical details that makes the table more enjoyable to use on a daily basis.
How do the leg levelers work?
The 1.5-in leg levelers on each pedestal base can be twisted up or down to compensate for any unevenness in your floor surface, helping keep the table stable and the playing surface as level as possible from the start. They work in conjunction with the climate adjusters: the leg levelers handle coarse floor-level compensation, while the climate adjusters handle fine-tuning the playfield surface itself.
How does shuffleboard table wax work, and do I need more?
The included can of table wax (also called shuffleboard wax or silicone spray) is applied to the playing surface before play to provide a lubricating base layer that helps pucks glide smoothly. Some players also use shuffleboard powder (speed sand) over the wax layer for even faster play — powder is not included but is widely available as a separate purchase. Regular waxing and occasional recoating of the lacquer surface (done by professionals) are the primary ongoing maintenance steps for a high-quality shuffleboard table like the Merlot.
Does the table come with assembly instructions, and how long does assembly take?
Yes — two assembly manuals are provided by the manufacturer (covering both the 9-ft and 12-ft models). The manufacturer estimates assembly takes approximately 90 minutes. A Phillips head screwdriver is required and is not included. Given the table's weight and the size of the playfield sections, two adults are strongly recommended for assembly. The table ships as 15 pieces and arrives via freight carrier.
How many people can play at once?
The Merlot supports 2 to 4 players. Standard shuffleboard is played as 2-player (one per end) or doubles with 2 per end (4 players total), each team alternating puck delivery from the same end. The two included abacus scorers are positioned at opposite ends to track each team's score.
Is this table suitable for outdoor use?
No. The Merlot is an indoor table. The solid birch playfield, hardwood veneer cabinet, and lacquer finish are not designed to withstand outdoor moisture, UV exposure, or temperature extremes. It is best suited for a temperature-controlled indoor game room or basement where humidity is reasonably managed — the same environment the climate adjusters are designed to help you maintain.
What warranty does the Merlot come with?
The Merlot Shuffleboard Table is covered by Hathaway's 180-day limited warranty against defects in material or workmanship from the original retail purchase date. The warranty is non-transferable, applies to the original retail purchaser only, and is for residential use. It is honored directly by the manufacturer, Blue Wave Products. Contact Blue Wave at (800) 759-0977 or warranty@bluewaveproducts.com for warranty service.
What are Deck & Den's shipping and return policies on this table?
Deck & Den offers free shipping on orders over $100 to the contiguous 48 states. This table is eligible for a 45-day return from the date of purchase. If you find a lower price from an authorized dealer, contact us about our price match policy. Note: given the size and weight of this table, please confirm return shipping logistics with Deck & Den before purchasing if returns are a concern.