We are blessed with a boat that has an Herreshoff interior—white painted surfaces with varnished cherry trim—that (with the help of a couple of repaints) still feels just right, and not at all dated even though the boat is 30-years old.
However, there was one niggling exception to this happy state of affairs: the galley countertop was covered with very old and scarred off-white formica around an equally scarred stainless (once) steel double sink. Worse still, this was the first thing that caught our eyes each time we came down the companionway.
And the problems were more than just visual, since the caulking around the sink had long failed, allowing water into the plywood.
Not Easy
So why had we not dealt with this earlier, you ask? Well, the previous owner had added some glued-in-place adjacent cabinetry and a cherry backsplash on top of the counter.
Not My Strong Suit
And, added to that, while over the years I have done finish carpentry to a reasonable standard—I learned from Poor Stupid Bob (see Further Reading at the end of this post)—I’m not naturally gifted at it, so it takes me an age. And then there’s the matter of the huge pile of miss-cut expensive lumber that always seems to magically appear as I work.
The result was that every time I thought about tearing the whole lot out, replacing the countertop, and then repairing the inevitable damage to the surrounding cabinetry, I emulated Mark Twain’s approach when he thought about exercise: I lay down until the feeling went away.
But finally, two summers ago, the ever more deplorable state of the countertop overcame my herculean resistance to the project and I got serious.
Wait, Not Boring
Now, at this point, I’m suspecting that many of you are thinking, “oh dear, here comes one of those mind-numbingly detailed how-I-fixed-something posts that boating sites are prone to”.
But before you stop reading in favour of a more interesting activity…like watching grass grow…stick with me, because this story has a never before occurring, at least on a boat, twist:
The whole thing turned out to be way easer and less expensive than I thought it was going to be, and the result is both attractive and functional.
This then is the story about how laziness can be used to come up with easier, and better, ways to do things, and the eight lessons I learned along the way:
I’ve been putting off buying TurboCad for Mac for awhile now. I need to redo my galley also. Which AutoCad was satisfactory for your purpose? There are a few different prices. If I don’t need TurboCAD Mac Pro v10 for $499 … then good, if TurboCAD Mac Deluxe 2D/3D for $199.99 would be satisfactory. Couple of projects like a hard top bimini and refridgeration I’d like to draw up. Maybe start at $199 and have to go up to $499 if needed … later.
Hi Clay,
I find Mac Delux 2D/3D for $199.99 just fine for everything I do and have never upgraded.
John
We also have a 30 year old boat with the exact issue. I was able to find a source for 1/4” Avonite, similar to corian. This helps keep the weight down, is easier to fabricate and keeps with original design. I chose to reuse the varnished teak fiddles for the look even though solid surface would be more durable. It’s the age old argument of form versus function.
This has been a fun project. It allowed for the redesign of the galley counter, sink, faucets, soap dispenser layout the way we wanted. And yes, the Fein multi tool will accomplish tasks that no other tool can do. Mine has paid for it’s self many times over the years.
Hi Dave,
Avonite sounds good. In our case, I was not worried about weight since the galley is right at the centre of gravity of the boat. As to fiddles, I was deterred from keeping the old ones by the 30 year old science experiment under them, yuck. What I like about the one piece design is how easy it is to keep clean.
Hi John,
Really nice article and excellent advice.
One procedure I am using more and more as time goes by is to “dry fit” a project as much as reasonable. Some projects lend themselves to this more than others, but I have been surprised by the problems (and unexpected solutions and easier ways to accomplish goals) I have discovered in executing the dry fit. In doing this, my guiding mantra is to do no harm; it is for research and planning and the time to pull out the tools is yet to come.
For me this is an intermediate step between the detailed planning you correctly recommend and the actual drilling of holes or dismantling. I often make templates and jigs using sheets of cardboard if I can find them. One project that benefitted greatly from a dry fit with different parts and design was the installation of the Refleks stove (for heat), but I have found almost any project can benefit.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Hi Dick,
Yes, I agree, a dry fitted mock up can be very useful. That said, being a nerd, I don’t mock up much any more, but instead draw the whole thing out in CAD, often in 3D. I find this lets me try a bunch of alternatives very quickly. That said, doing the original drawing is time consuming and the learning curve for 3D drawing is vertical, so I think that dry fitted mock ups may be better for many people.
Great article, John. My main issue with our galley is slightly different: the Corian’s in good shape for the compelling reason that the galley hasn’t been used during the refit process, but I could use the whole area raised by a few inches/cms. to get the sinks to drain properly on starboard tacks now that I’ve raised the pipe nipple for the galley drain and gone to a Marelon ball valve. Did you have those considerations to field? The height looks more or less identical. I love the deeper fiddles to keep the washing up confined!
I also have not the Fein Multimaster tool, but a reasonably priced knock off that’s survived several seasons to date with visibly hard use. I concur that it’s the sort of gear you wondered how you lived without once you use it with intent. It’s like that right-angle, “orbital” drill bit attachment I bought ages ago. Can’t do a lot of jobs without it!
Hi Marc,
No, no drain problems to deal with. The secret is that the sink is almost on the centre line. Just another good call from Jim McCurdy, the designer of the boat.
This is the thing I mean: a Milescraft Orbiter. Solved problems aboard plenty of times that otherwise would have involved massive disassembly: https://www.milescraft.com/product/orbiter/