Galley Shelf

Perfecto!

The shelf is complete!  The shelf is complete!  The shelf is complete!  And it is nothing short of Fan-Flipping-Tastic!  And yeah....you are going to see a ton of pics because it's that good and it's been in the works for... awhile.  You will just have to suffer through another project blog posting!  I am SO incredibly proud of what Tom has accomplished.  It seriously looks like it has been on the boat from day one - as if it came right out of the Caliber factory this way.

Design stage

Galley pole base that secures it on the underside of the galley counter

Test run of the concept

I say it's been in the works for awhile because basically we have been thinking of adding a galley shelf  since the Caliber 40 LRC floated to the top of our list of sailboats for us.  We had seen this owner modification in a couple of Internet pics and thought it was really smart.  (Thanks Caliber Tim - yes, that is your nickname as we have several Tim's in our life)

Fitting the trim pieces into place

The Caliber 40 galley is a tad on the small side in terms of storage when it comes to sailboat galleys (we think). However we knew that we could make this modification if we bought a Caliber - remember....boat buying is all about compromises.

Sanding the trim to give it a smooth, continuous look and feel

Flash forward to April 2010 when we purchased s/v Honey Ryder...the thinking, plotting, designing phase for this started then. The past two years Tom has been seriously pondering and researching various ways to build it so it would turn out like he was seeing it in mind's eye.  Each time we visited the boat previously as commuters, he would measure and scheme a little more.

Numbering the teak pieces for a perfect match/fit after staining

Once we moved aboard he started putting all that planning into action.  Methodically it has taken shape.

Sanding between coats

The pole in the galley had to come out.  It's anchored at the top and bottom - next to the galley sink....thus the need for access to that area and the new access panel that I previously blogged about here.

Installing teak trim

He finally found the perfect piece of wood and cut out a hole so the shelf would thread through on the pole.

Stainless steel shelf bracket and Tom's pattern

Two pieces are KEY.  One is the stainless steel bracket holding the hull side of the shelf in place.  For this we were able to find a local guy at a propeller shop to make it up using Tom's pattern.  The other key piece is the teak collar holding up the shelf on the pole side.  Tom essentially made a wooden clamp to accomplish what was needed on this side.

Teak support collar Tom designed and made

Teak trim was ordered from Buck Woodcraft.  One corner piece was off upon arrival but they corrected it immediately and send another corner and soon Tom was fitting the pieces in place. 

Final fitting

Final tweaking 

He sanded and painted the shelf a Caliber like color (three coats) to keep the light, airy feel we already have onboard.  The finish looks almost like laminate - amazing.  The teak trim got a couple of coats of Cetol.

Stainless steel bracket in place

Teak collar

There were many steps as you can see and I am making you look at some most of them- I told you I was proud!  And this was his first major wood working project as a liveaboard...ie...limited space and tools.     SO.....
BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Ta-Da!!!  Thank you babe!!  It's fabulous!  You are the best!!!!

*We still have to figure out how we want to secure the plates and such but that is minor.  The shelf is complete!  Woo Hoo!