Galley Time

It's taken us five years to get up the courage to design a new galley. But we've finally decided what we need, which is not much. We kept debating on size, appliances, finishes, etc...., but in the end we have settled on a raised panel design that is in keeping with a 1926 day racer. We don't need to bake, but we do need to make a great gin and tonic after a day on the race course. Therefore, we will have a small portable Kenyon stove with one burner to boil water for French Press coffee in the  mornings, a large icebox for the few short weeks of cruising we do each year, and a sink with a bronze faucet.

In 1926, the boat required one hired hand who managed service from a galley stuffed forward of the mast meaning it had headroom of about 5 feet. At some point, the galley and starboard side settees were ripped out and re-muddled. The then 'new' galley was placed just inside the cabin door for easy access and maximum headroom. In addition to ignoring any sense of historical esthetique, the main problem was that the two opposing settees no longer aligned. Therefore, there was no semblance of a salon to relax in after a day of racing. Did I mention the naugahide (no clue how to spell that) cushion covers?

I don't have a good before picture of what we ripped out, but while it was functional, it was pretty awful. Here is a picture of the old vinyl cushions, offset settees and the galley near the companion way door.

Port side looking aft in a photo from the original listing

Starboard looking aft - we quickly threw away every bit of clutter.

The new galley will be mid ship opposite the head and just aft of the mast to allow for decent headroom. This also allows for the two settees to be returned to their original alignment. Here are the drawings thanks to my hubby the architect:



Overhead view shows the sink next to the ie box cover with shallow upper storage





A close-up of the new galley: four upper bays for storage, fridge and sink and one bay of drawers below





Drawer design and function



The mahogany has been chosen for the raised paneling and our cabinet maker is beginning to build the first section as we speak!