Galley Formica Questions....

[IOLANI]

Couple of quick questions on my 86 MY...

Has anyone ever matched the original off white Formica with a current color offering or know what the original color was called or the code ?

Are the cabinets and panels plywood underneath or some type of particle board ?

 

[Bob Quinn]

I don't know, but I bet if you pulled a drawer out you might be able to look up underneath and see.
Probably can see the bottom of the table too. I would be shocked if it was particle board on a Hatteras. (and also disappointed!)

 

[jim rosenthal]

All of those constructed items in the galley, heads, or staterooms are solidly built of plywood in every Hatteras I've ever seen. I Have never seen anything built of particle board in a Hatteras, although I suppose it's possible. But I have not seen it.

 

[IOLANI]

Thanks guys, I agree Hatteras probably never lowered itself to using particle board for anything.

Now to find a color match I have a repair/ modification to make.


.

 

[bostonhatteras]

Find a Wilsonart location. they will have the most options for you to choose from. https://www.wilsonart.com/locations

 

[Fanfare]

Formica was a great innovation back when our boats were built. Today, however, there are many newer products worth examining. I have "refreshed" our galley several times, the most recent with Corian about 15 years ago. Formica is colored paper with a hard transparent layer on top. A hot pan can scorch this, the only remedy is localized replacement. Corian comes in various thicknesses permitting flaws to be ground out and repolished. It is the same color all the way through. About every five years I go over our counter and dinette with a buffer to renew the matte finish. It has worked out well and I recommend it. Ours went right over the old Formica with no problem. Always order a few extra pieces in case a large repair is required. That way the colors will all match even if that color is discontinued.

We are in the process of expanding our kitchen at home and have been learning about newer surface coverings. Corian is still in the running but there are a lot of others. Check out any home kitchen store. Just remember that weight is important on a boat. Getting someone to come to install the new countertops can sometimes be a bit difficult as most are not accustomed to working on a boat.

 

[rsmith]

I’ll stick with Formica and the sea rails keep food from falling on the deck when you’re trying to make a sandwich underway. My counters are 50 years old and still looking great. I don’t understand why anyone would want to add more weight to these boats.

 

[edward]

Great looking interior !

 

[IOLANI]

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. I don't know if I'm a purist but I like to keep the styling of the boat and its decor as original as possible. I also actually enjoy being surrounded by dark paneling, shag rug, Formica and all the other late mid-century furnishings . I grew up with that stuff. Most all of it including all the Formica throughout the guest bedrooms and bathrooms is still in beautiful condition after almost 40 years. I just need to make a small repair so I think I'll stick with it. I'll check the Wilsonart supplier for a match.

 

[edward]

How long ownership and general area of home port ? ditto on the wood and original look .

 

[bostonhatteras]

I’ll stick with Formica and the sea rails keep food from falling on the deck when you’re trying to make a sandwich underway. My counters are 50 years old and still looking great. I don’t understand why anyone would want to add more weight to these boats.

I think it was you that said you didn’t want to be crushed by a 300 pound piece of granite during a storm. I never forgot that.

 

[rsmith]

I think it was you that said you didn’t want to be crushed by a 300 pound piece of granite during a storm. I never forgot that.

Yes. Since then I’ve seen a lot of boats that were HGTV’d. Boats flex and move constantly. They used to call it working. Like the wings on a plane it all needs to flex or it will break. Stone tile grout and cement products have no place on a boat. These “captains” need to grow a pair and tell their “Admirals” to leave the stupid home improvement ideas onshore

 

[IOLANI]

When I took my boat off the hard after winter it took a month before the boat settled back and the hand rail gates operated again. I still marvel at the fact that a boat this heavy can flex like that.

 

[krush]

Nothing like a HGTV boat!

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1967-hatteras-sportfisher-9434919/

 

[drburke]

Nothing like a HGTV boat!

I have seen some of those pictures on the FB forums and refrained from issuing my opinion.

They seem to be created by people who don't want a boat, but rather cannot afford a house so "improve" it to meet their desires.

It is hard to choose between "hideous", "ridiculous", "effing stupid". YMMV.

 

[Boatsb]

I have seen some of those pictures on the FB forums and refrained from issuing my opinion.

They seem to be created by people who don't want a boat, but rather cannot afford a house so "improve" it to meet their desires.

It is hard to choose between "hideous", "ridiculous", "effing stupid". YMMV.

Next thing they will hang cabinets over the windows and maybe add a room out back.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I've noticed that when my Hatteras is on the hard, even blocked properly according to the graving diagram, the various doors inside the boat don't open and close exactly right, etc. It takes a day or two in the water in the spring for her to get her normal shape back.

As far as adding granite countertops etc, I think these boats weigh enough as is. On the one hand, when you're talking about a boat that weighs sixty or seventy thousand pounds, a few hundred more might not make much difference. But why do it? And when you think of something of that weight getting loose in a storm, the hazards, as said, are pretty unpleasant to contemplate.

 

[krush]

Let's be realistic. It's really hard for a granite counter top to break free and fall on the owners foot during the annual trek to the fuel dock and/or pump-out station.

But that travel left ride every few years can be pretty extreme!

 

[Boatsb]

Let's be realistic. It's really hard for a granite counter top to break free and fall on the owners foot during the annual trek to the fuel dock and/or pump-out station.

But that travel left ride every few years can be pretty extreme!

The nice marinas around here have pumpouts at the slips. Half the danger is removed already.

 

[bigbill]

go to lowes they have wilsonart and formica brand name samples, probably a thousand of them, take the ones that look close and compare them to the original on the boat, then you have a name and number to order what you want. i agree with not adding extra weight with granite. if you want to change the look completly just glue a new formica/wilsonart pattern/color over the existing counter.