New Galley Door / Storage Access Doors

NEW GALLEY DOOR

Summer 2011

In the summer of 2011, Bill replaced the galley front with a new door that he made out of old oak flooring.  The door opens and drops down out of the way.  I've put two plastic drawers inside -- one taller than the other -- to hold dishes, pots, utensils, etc.   The sink takes up space below and is the reason for a shorter drawer on that side.

Currently we use gallon ice tea containers for water and hook them to the faucet.  They are easy to store elsewhere and move around as needed.  Summer 2013 we've gotten a new stainless steel sink (on eBay) and new faucet.  Bill will eventually be getting a water bladder ($$) that will be stored under the aft berth for our water supply.

STORAGE ACCESS DOORS

Summer 2013 



















I've been looking around various and assorted Mac sites and forums for storage ideas.  Bill made access doors to most of the storage spaces in the cabin for easier access.  This should make a BIG difference in accessing more space than we ever could before.

Two new doors under the large galley door will help to access ALL that space.

The latches are stainless steel, found on the Web (way less $$ than those available through West Marine).



CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Oak flooring scraps.  Bill used recycled oak flooring, planed to 3/4".  He planed the inserts down to ¼".   He glued strips of oak together and they fit into the frame slot.  The frame is attached to the fiberglass with stainless steel screws from the inside.  All was glued and urethaned (to match the new galley door).



Pieces for project frame

   

Pieces for frame cut to size.

  

Frame construction
 
                                          

Door assembly
Grooved to hold ¼" slats
     
           
           

   

Glueing of the center slats for the door
 

Assembled door and frame

Doors in place in cabin

When Bill cut the hole for the opening in the fiberglass, he left a small curve at the top edges so that the door does not push back into the hole.  He made small handles for the doors to make it easier to grab and open.  The doors open down so they can rest open to access the space.  Had the door lifted up, you'd have to hold it open or prop it up to get to your stuff.  And we all need to easily get to our stuff.  :o)

 This is the largest door Bill made.  It accesses all the space under the forward berth.

Bill made two access doors under the bunk across from the head.  On another mod page, you can see how he added a 6"-8" high platform on top of the full bunk on the port side for EXTRA STORAGE.