Nothing too major came due for repair or replacement. That's something to take advantage of with a 50 year old boat. So I tore out a section of the galley. A repower in the 70's caused an angled bump out to acommodate the longer engine. It was uncomfortable to work around, no toe space, and didn't look quite right.
I started from scratch and redesigned (then built a mockup) it, shrinking the bump out, added a tiny fiddled shelf above and a toe space below. I copied the original Alden cabinetry. The new middle panel swings out for better engine access, head locks into a rabbeted cleat above, latches securely below.
There's a little space behind the big door, any storage is useful. The fixed section to the right now holds a tilt out trash hopper. It lifts out for better access behind.
With that done, I took out the companionway ladder to refinish(still in fine condition after 50 seasons). All is back in place. It left a few loose ends like extending the windlass battery cable, some work on the alternator alignment which has been eating belts, etc. The rest to do is just old boat stuff, like varnishing, that doesn't really count for me.
Here's the trash bin. A little small but an improvement over the plastic can that never found a good space. A pivoting latch stops it open, a push and gravity keep it tightly closed. Yes, the gimbal stove will hit it on port, but it still opens 3", enough for the rare times.
This could be controversial. About to use plywood for the back panel, polycarbonate came to mind. It's more impact resistant. It's fire resistant. Come to find out, a 1/4" is equivalent to and inch of wood in sound deadening. Why not have a visual port on the engine? Plus I had some in my shop. Little kids will enjoy it.
The mahogany ply came out of a local dumpster, the reason for the left over paint inside face of door. No I won't be keeping spices in there, a cutting board, maybe an oven pan...
