Countertop in the galley over the cooler

[BillyK]

Ok.. i'm baffled.. i just spent a solid hour trying to figure out how to remove the countertop over the cooler. I have all the visible screws out, are there any secret screws that anyone knows about? that would be holding it in? i have movement up and down by the ladder, but thats about it..

 

[Team118]

As I recall, there are screws coming up from underneath. You'll have to remove the drawers to get up in there.

If you're removing the counter to refinish it or replace it, just give it a good yank, the screws only go into the plywood 1/4 to 3/8". Don't do that if you're intent on saving the counter...

My boat is a 1977, so newer models might use a different method to fasten down the counter...maybe wood glue or a 'liquid nails' type glue

Good luck!
Chris

 

[shipwreck66]

I pretty much figured out they build the insides from the stern forward on Catalinas, and I had to remove the decorative bulkhead just forward of my galley to get the old top out. But on a C30 look for screws behind the settee cushions that will be holding it in also, they used a lot of machine screws from above, below, and on the sides, and not necessarily in the same place on each boat, as apparently each worker assembling had their own ideas of where screws should go. I removed all the old countertop and built an entirely new one. This is a very good time to redesign the galley if you are so inclined. I moved location of sink faucet, removed stove and made that whole area countertop w/storage underneath.

 

[jimmcgee]

Bill, on my MKIII the galley top is fiberglass with a gelcoat that is colored to look like corian and it's bonded down with what looks like 5200. If that's the case with yours you may need to use a sawzall to break the bond on the front edge. I have no idea how you'd access the edge behind the fridge. The back edge may be accessible if you remove the back wall around the trash shoot and come at it from inside the port locker.

If the worst happens Catalina can color match those counters. They made a new fridge top for me.

Just curious, why are you trying to get it off?

 

[BillyK]

Bill, on my MKIII the galley top is fiberglass with a gelcoat that is colored to look like corian and it's bonded down with what looks like 5200. If that's the case with yours you may need to use a sawzall to break the bond on the front edge. I have no idea how you'd access the edge behind the fridge. The back edge may be accessible if you remove the back wall around the trash shoot and come at it from inside the port locker.

If the worst happens Catalina can color match those counters. They made a new fridge top for me.

Just curious, why are you trying to get it off?

i'm applying a new laminate on the countertops, along with adding in a new stove top and changing the area the original oven was in.

 

[BillyK]

I pretty much figured out they build the insides from the stern forward on Catalinas, and I had to remove the decorative bulkhead just forward of my galley to get the old top out. But on a C30 look for screws behind the settee cushions that will be holding it in also, they used a lot of machine screws from above, below, and on the sides, and not necessarily in the same place on each boat, as apparently each worker assembling had their own ideas of where screws should go. I removed all the old countertop and built an entirely new one. This is a very good time to redesign the galley if you are so inclined. I moved location of sink faucet, removed stove and made that whole area countertop w/storage underneath.

Thats exactly what i'm after..

thanks, more screw hunting for me i see..

 

[jrowan]

Billy, Why not just apply new laminate - surface on top of the old while the countertops are still place? Otherwise as state above U may damage the countertop or surrounding fiberglass. I have heard other posts about dismantling the galley can be tough. There are many hidden fasteners. I would make cut paper templates so that you don't have to remove & damage the fiddles on the perimenter. My 2 c.

 

[BillyK]

Billy, Why not just apply new laminate - surface on top of the old while the counter tops are still place? Otherwise as state above U may damage the counter top or surrounding fiberglass. I have heard other posts about dismantling the galley can be tough. There are many hidden fasteners. I would make cut paper templates so that you don't have to remove & damage the fiddles on the perimeter. My 2 c.

i'm going to take another shot at removal this weekend.. if i fail, that's the path I'll take.. i believe there are 4 screws i'm missing from under the galley behind the drawers..

 

[sol y mar]

Galley redo

Billy
Did a partial galley redo last year. Removed stove and replaced with counter top and cabinet. Not alot of work, just time consuming.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Its not the greatest pic but what I did was to cut 1/4" sheet of Corian and bevel the edges to follow the bevel of the teak that wraps the edges of the countertop. Leaving everything ie sink in place and leaving a less than a 1/4" reveal around the sink opening leaves a lip for a cover over the sinks (use covers as cutting boards and additional storage). This gives the apperance of an under mount sink. I then just made a piece to cover the burners over the cook top area. I did the same in the head (recently replaced toilet, looks much better). Just an idea that seems to update the boat. Also, note the new ports.

 

[BillyK]

Its not the greatest pic but what I did was to cut 1/4" sheet of Corian and bevel the edges to follow the bevel of the teak that wraps the edges of the countertop. Leaving everything ie sink in place and leaving a less than a 1/4" reveal around the sink opening leaves a lip for a cover over the sinks (use covers as cutting boards and additional storage). This gives the apperance of an under mount sink. I then just made a piece to cover the burners over the cook top area. I did the same in the head (recently replaced toilet, looks much better). Just an idea that seems to update the boat. Also, note the new ports.

That looks veerry nice!

 

[shipwreck66]

Jeff, that looks close to what I used, mine is a little darker. I used new wood underneath as the old had a little water damage near the companionway. Haven't done the head yet but is on my soon-to-do list.