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I have wanted to do a re-furb on our Viking 23 'Odd Bod' since owning her. The feel of the original galley was less than modern. There was also a wooden plinth that ran behind the sink and cooker that stopped the use of about 3” of space. As we all know, every extra inch is a bonus!

I had given the two burner cooker a good clean when we first got the boat. Since then I had replaced the sink/drainer with a like for like new version. I had also replaced the original tap with a single operation new version.

The old galley had the gas pipework emerging behind the cooker along with the redundant water hoses where a former water heater had been.

I also thought that the carpet lining looked un-hygienic so spent some time thinking of a clean but easy replacement. I obtained several samples of Formica laminate sheet and decided this would be the best option. Clean looking, easy to clean, fairly east to fit.
I removed the wooded strip, removed the lining material then filled all the holes and gaps with gel coat filler.
The original layout had a section of white laminated board that folded over the sink. I removed this and planned to re-laminate the board with the new Formica. Instead of it folding over the sink, I re fitted it so it folded against the window.
I used the services of a LPG gas engineer who was also a BSS examiner. The old gas pipes were replaced with piping that was hidden into the bulkhead, tidying up the appearance immediately.
At the same time, he fitted a bubble tester as well as swapping over from Camping Gaz to propane.
I formed a backboard from ply so that the new Formica would look even and to save the effort of trying to form it round the curves of the boat. I also formed a sill for the same thing along the top of the ledge where the tap was mounted.

Carpet lining removed.

Old pipework and water hoses removed and backboard fitted.
I cut templates from thin board for both the backboard and sill to cut the Formica. I had to use baton fixed to the sides of the bulkhead to secure the boards against.

The Formica was quite easy to cut using the templates and sharp Stanley knife. I used EvoStick contact adhesive to fix the Formica to the board and sill.

New Formica presented up before glueing.

The next stage was removing the folding board. I sourced a new piano hinge from the local Wickes. The original white Formica was removed using a hair-drier and pallet knife. I then stuck the new Formica laminate both sides and finished off with veneer edging strip.


Removal of old Formica laminate

New Formica laminate attached.

Finished re-furb.

The edges where the Formica edges met were finished off with bathroom sealant then wooden edging strip was sprayed grey, varnished and stuck in place to give it the finishing touch. The finished job brings the galley back up to date and feels much cleaner.

Total cost was less than £100 including a 10' x 3' sheet of Formica laminate (as this was the only size the supplier would sell) Evo Stick, wood veneer edging strip, piano hinge, wood edging strips, grey spray paint, varnish and chrome trim.

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