Galley Counter/Salon Table Top/Head

[wufibugs]

I know we've had this discussion several times over the years, but I would like to revisit as it seems there are new products coming to market all the time. Considering that Windmistress is turning 30 and will no longer fetch a king's ransom, cost is a consideration in redoing her counters. I have looked at tile [too heavy and I'm not thrilled with grout joints on a boat], real and faux granite, [also too heavy, costly and difficult to work with], man-made countertops [too costly and the colors and patterns of the lighter stuff did not rock my boat], and wood [gorgeous, but discouraged by maintenance and heat resistance issues]. This brings me back to modern laminates. These now have beautiful and rich looking colors and patterns, even textures, and are relatively easier to work with. I am told, however, that whatever is added for texture to the soup that ultimately becomes the laminate is not immune to long term exposure to moisture or water.
All feedback is appreciated.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Richard, I've posted this on earlier topics like this:

http://www.impatientlycrafty.com/20...xy-contact-paper-yes-i-really-just-said-that/

I actually did this for my cousin's kitchen in her home. She really liked it.

 

[wufibugs]

So, Stu, the surface is actually clear epoxy while the contact paper underneath just provides the color/pattern?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yup.

So, Stu, the surface is actually clear epoxy while the contact paper underneath just provides the color/pattern?

 

[JamesG161]

while the contact paper underneath just provides the color/pattern?

I do custom homes and I can't beat that price!

Tip: Epoxy all the cut edges of your substate ( marine grade plywood) as a water block. You might even consider epoxy on substate bottom too. Get a cutting block too!

Jim...

 

[CloudDiver]

Wufibugs, don't count-out the acrylic materials like Corian or Silstone. They are really not very heavy because the sheet of material they actually install is much thinner than the sample they show you in the store. I had a Corian countertop installed in my old condo in Hawaii, I was actually pretty ticked off when I saw the sheet they brought in, thin and floppy compared to the 1/2" thick sample I was shown in the store. That said, its a great and durable material available in any color you could want. The challenge is finding someone who will make it for you, the scale of your galley is much smaller than an average kitchen job. They argue that the material is mixed up and poured by the entire sheet, small kitchens will use 1 sheet and full size kitchens will use 2 sheets. The best way would be to piggy back off another bigger job using a color you like.
I would offer to make your countertop in Stainless Steel... I have a plasma cutter and a TIG welder, but the one important tool I lack is a good press brake to bend the bullnose and backsplash. Someday when I get my 'big boat' I will do my galley countertop in copper.

 

[wufibugs]

Yes, I thought about copper tiles. Sheet copper would be gorgeous if a little pricey. Like you, it will have to wait for the 50 footer.

 

[Ron20324]

If you like the look of copper, lay down new pennys and cover with epoxy.

 

[wufibugs]

Alas, Ron, new pennies are only 2.5% copper; rest is zinc.

 

[AndyR]

Hi re counter top. We had a kitchen supplier install 6? mm corian on top of the old laminate benches on our Bene 393. Excellent result.
All I had to do was remove the old sink and bring it to the top of the existing bench recess it slightly and they overlaid the new top over the lot. Next time (there wont be one) I would consider doing the job myself. Corian is pretty easily cut with a router and just trimmed with a plane or sander where necessary. Only slight downside is the two hatches in the countertop are heavier than they were, but the Admiral is not complaining!

 

[sesmith]

I just went through the same process of trying to decide what to use for the new counter top on our boat. We finally decided on laminate, due to cost. I could have done corian myself, but couldn't find a piece for my project that I could justify price wise. FWIW, we chose a Formica branded laminate that doesn't pretend to be something else that it isn't . It should be in this week so I can cover the substrate. I sealed the substrate first with an epoxy sealer (CPES).

 

[wufibugs]

Sesmith, why did you seal it? I've applied laminates over laminates on kitchen counters and I always just roughened the surface so the adhesive would get a better grip. I assumed the laminate underneath was largely water resistant and when combined with the adhesive, was nearly waterproof.

 

[sesmith]

Sesmith, why did you seal it? I've applied laminates over laminates on kitchen counters and I always just roughened the surface so the adhesive would get a better grip. I assumed the laminate underneath was largely water resistant and when combined with the adhesive, was nearly waterproof.

I used particle board for a substrate. I went round and round on that too. Most of what I've read recommends sealing it (or mdf, or ply) on any exposed edges and bottom when used on a boat, or over a dish washer in a kitchen. I sealed the bottom initially, and just found it just as easy to seal the whole thing. CPES works really well for this as it has the consistency of diesel fuel and wicks in well. (This is a new counter top, not recovering and existing one, as I raised the height)