replacing Boat furniture

[Mark M]

Hi
I`m hoping can give me some help with there knowledge, expierience.

On my Birchwood 33 I have an old plywood varnished kitchen area, which is fine, but is now very tired looking.
I measured it and it would be quite easy to rip it out and replace it with standard house kitchen type units and worktop.
My only concern is that as my boat doesent have the power/heating over the winter to keep the boat warm inside, and its in the water over the damp winter months.

I am concerned that the laminate will eventually peel off the chipboard units!!!.

I normally just leave all plywood cupboards/doors open, but am not sure about the chipboard/laminate units.

Any helpful advice would be appreciated

Cheers Mark

[Chris_d]

Originally Posted by Mark M

Hi
I`m hoping can give me some help with there knowledge, expierience.

On my Birchwood 33 I have an old plywood varnished kitchen area, which is fine, but is now very tired looking.
I measured it and it would be quite easy to rip it out and replace it with standard house kitchen type units and worktop.
My only concern is that as my boat doesent have the power/heating over the winter to keep the boat warm inside, and its in the water over the damp winter months.

I am concerned that the laminate will eventually peel off the chipboard units!!!.

I normally just leave all plywood cupboards/doors open, but am not sure about the chipboard/laminate units.

Any helpful advice would be appreciated

Cheers Mark

I would definately never use ordinary chipboard or ply from a DIY store, as you have suggested it will not stand the damp environment and will swell and split. I've seen the results in some older boats and its a right mess. Unfortunately the only way is to use rather more expensive treated marine ply, wood or even stone worktops etc.. and never use chipboard at all.

[boatone]

Originally Posted by Chris_d

I would definately never use ordinary chipboard or ply from a DIY store, as you have suggested it will not stand the damp environment and will swell and split. I've seen the results in some older boats and its a right mess. Unfortunately the only way is to use rather more expensive treated marine ply, wood or even stone worktops etc.. and never use chipboard at all.

Not sure I completely agree.

Exterior grade ply will last a long time and I have used chipboard on an earlier boat and it was still fine several years later. Doesn't like wet conditions but a well aired boat doesn't get that damp!
Having said that, its amazing how some new laminate can transform existing tatty work-tops.

A lot also depends on how long you intend to keep the boat - as long as it looks good when you sell it .....

[micheal.rock@gmail.com]

[QUOTE=Chris_d;2294622]I would definately never use ordinary chipboard or ply from a DIY store, as you have suggested it will not stand the damp environment and will swell and split. I've seen the results in some older boats and its a right mess. Unfortunately the only way is to use rather more expensive treated marine ply, wood or even stone worktops etc.. and never use chipboard at all.[/QUO
My galley had a plywood backed white laminate which rotted due to a leak. Is it possible to buy marine grade ply with white laminate on one side ?

[Ramage]

I looked over a Birchwood 33 (Navarra Star) where they had removed the all in one metal sink/drainer/double burner n grill and fitted a domestic style worktop with a sink/drainer let into it. They had fitted a stand alone cooker. It looked good and was a neat job.

I have also seen boats where the original has been rubbed down & revarnished to good effect. Some people even paint the units!

[andythilo]

I'm doing this soon on my boat. Kitchen area is old and tired with a crappy white rusty oven hob and 70's worktop.

Gonna rip it all out and install some nice B&Q units, do away with the oven and put in a 12v microwave (hidden behind a door) and twin hob along with a small sink/drainer. Then i'm gonna put a smoked glass hinged lid over it all (toughened glass of course).

Mind you I am gonna install some tube heaters to keep it warmish over winter.