I think this is our #4 of winter/spring mods for R.E.D.
…I’m kind of losing track.
A trip during early spring to make sure our lady was secure,
any extra snow was knocked off the tarp
and with surprisingly little effort we extracted the galley.
There it is!…
…how many other boat-crazy people would remove their galley
and display it on their coffee table?
…I suppose same crazy people
who see their anchor
as a piece of art.
Anyway,
here it is again…
the ‘before’…
very dark interior,
limited access to storage
and my one-burner alcohol stove.
First step was to reinforce the opening
with 3/4″ x 2″ marine plywood
and 1/2″ on the back and sides to ease installation
of future pressurized water system etc.
The front panel was removed
and a stainless steel piano hinge installed at the base.
…to make a drop-down storage access.
…and the interior refreshed with
two applications of Captain’s favourite paint…
…Bilgekote.
…stainless steel hardware was added to both sides…
to make a secure heel-worthy closure.
and lengths of chain to support each side when opened…
…the new Dometic electric/alcohol combo stove
was wired,
an extra electrical outlet installed.
all GFI protected.
(you can have a look at what was done here)
…The ‘after’
…back to the living room for a final photo shoot,
all polished and ready to return to the boat.
Still the same basic design,
but with modifications
that will relieve some of the little frustrations
that come with living in tight spaces.
Brighter and easier to clean…
…and will be much easier to access
and hook up our water supply.
That almost lost space under the galley?
(hatch installation here)
…now easily accessible and ready for summer provisions.
~
In the grand scale of things,
these weren’t big modifications,
nor were they expensive ones.
For now we choose to change what bugs us the most,
access and storage.
Someday we would like to be able to wash both hands at once,
but we can live with the ‘pump and squirt’ faucet one more season.
Just a lick of paint,
Captain’s innovations,
inspirations from our social media boating community,
…a collaborative effort…
and voilà,
all pretty once again.
Refrigeration back onboard…
(link to construction for housing of our cooler here)
…and all the little monkey socks ready to protect François’ boat buddies:
Jack, Johnny, José and Captain Morgan.
I am one Happy (can’t-wait-to-be-back-on-the-water) Galley Kat!
Nicely done, good ideas 🙂
Thanks. We hope it will cut down on little frustrations. 🙂
super!
Thanks!
Kathy ; Love this! couple of questions: source for the rail and hanging containers in cabin? Looks like Ikea? did they stand up while heeling? Your Dometic fridge size and source? How did it function? Any power issues? We're moving our Mac from AB to Lake of the Woods and need to kit it out for fridge and live aboard.
Rails and white bins are Ikea. Have stayed put even at the occasional 40 ° heeling (I know, not efficient way to sail but sometimes we have had too much sail up). Third season now over and still no sign of rust. Dometic CF50. Depending on how much you will stock there are smaller models. Had dealer install when we bought the boat 3 years ago.( Dowsar in Hamilton, ON) Love it not the dealer! Supposed to be efficient with power. Very good quality. We had battery issues this summer but it wasn't because of the Cooler. Had dealer install stuff when we bought the boat and if you have been following along, pretty much everything he did had to be redone. Plus as you will find out living aboard, will need alternate power source. Francois is designing a frame for 2 40W solar panels we bought after our trip this summer and next purchase will likely be a 2000W Honda generator. HAte the idea of using more fossil fuel but running the engine to recharge is not a good way to go. Future may also be a wind generator. Hope this helps. Keep in touch