Modifications, that worked.

May 20, 2016
3,014
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
Here is a simple mod that has worked very well. The problem is when the cutting board is on the oven, things magically disappear down the back gimbal gap. This happened for the limes for my G&T. They weren’t found that trip so dad to go without. A simple piece of stainless and teak solved the problem. The turn downs on the SS act as springs keeping it in place with no rattling. The wood strip along the back prevents the SS from scratching the cabinetry, and keeps the unit level.

Here is my lovely bride showing off this simple mod
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Jul 1, 2010
962
Catalina 350 Lake Huron
Not quite up to Tom and Charlie's skills, but probably one of the biggest mods that we did to our Seaward was to raise the galley up about 5 1/2", and convert the ice box to cold plate refrigeration.

The idea came when my wife stepped aboard our friend's 1997 seaward 25 (ours is a 1996). It seems, in 1996, Hake raised the cabin roof, but re-used their previous liners for the lower part of the cabin. By 1997, they had also redesigned the interior, and raised the galley about 5 1/2", setting it at a way more usable height. So the idea was born, and I couldn't convince her otherwise.

First pic is the only one I could find of the original galley. Sink was located forward and was set in the ice box (not a great design if you like to keep things cold). The single burner origo stove was located center and was recessed into the counter. A waste basket was set into the rear part of the counter.

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Next pic is after I tore out the existing fixtures and installed the cold plate in the ice box. I also did as much as I could to beef up the insulation of the ice box.

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Next is fitting the cherry frame.

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The final product. Sink now located toward the rear. Freezer and fridge doors on ice box conversion. 2 burner top mount origo stove in center which gave us room to build in a silverware drawer under it. Trash can now mounted on the side of the galley at rear. Galley is much easier on the back now and the refrigeration is nice to have. The cherry has darkened in the years since, and fits in nicely with the existing teak trimmings.

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Oct 19, 2017
7,733
O'Day 19 Littleton, NH
Not quite up to Tom and Charlie's skills
It looks very professional from here. Clark Mills used to say, "If you can't see it from the courthouse steps, it's good enough."
I think your wife was right. It needed that mod. Really nice work.

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
I wish I could've seen the disbelief in the seller's face when you said, "I'll take it!"

I've always admired your boat. The woodwork is beautiful
well, actually, it wasn't a sale- it was a gimme. Resulted from a conversation on a TSBB chat.. He offered, I drove from Texas to Rochester NY an picked it up. In NOVEMBER!! Darned near froze. It was 27 degrees the day we loaded it onto the trailer- we'd left Texas in shorts and Tees :)
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Unloading back in Texas, four days later

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Sep 24, 2018
2,549
O'Day 25 Chicago
I see you took the tires off of the trailer to load it. I'd say that counts as a temporary modification. That's getting creative!
 
Jun 14, 2010
2,081
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
I see you took the tires off of the trailer to load it. I'd say that counts as a temporary modification. That's getting creative!
I’m curious about the loading and unloading process. Not sure from the images but that looks like some heavy jacking and a heavy duty come-along?
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
I’m curious about the loading and unloading process. Not sure from the images but that looks like some heavy jacking and a heavy duty come-along?
Cradle had rollers. Took wheels off, and did the chainfall thing. That's my 5'2" ex wife on that.

Will- when the end of cradle was on ground, we did just that. Tongue was a bit light though :) Took a bit of chain
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Jan 2, 2017
765
O'Day & Islander 322 & 37 Scottsdale, AZ & Owls Head, ME
We don’t have much use for a dodger here on Lake Pleasant, AZ, but we can use all the shade we can get, particularly in the summer. Originally I took the large dodger off as it just got in the way and blocked my line of sight, but recently (in need of more shade than just the bimini for the crew) we installed a smaller frame and just the canvas top from the original dodger. Presto, we have more shade without blocking the view or getting much in the way. (Crew is happy.)

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