Out with the sliding galley!

[curtis from carlsbad]

Got crazy today. Removed sliding galley just to see what it would look like without it. Took about 35 minutes. Stored it safely outside under a tarp. Had this idea about 6 months ago. Thought it would visually make Mac look bigger inside. Removed dinette table about 3 weeks ago and it makes a huge difference both visually and spatially. Plan to install a narrow( about 6") but long( about 4' ) armrest/table on stbd bulkhead between dinette seats. Only plan to cook maybe 20-25 overnights per year. Thought I could come up with a way to simply remove a much smaller flat counter with no side boards or end boards to camoflauge sink or stove sides ( just a single horizontal plank) containing stove and sink from port hull storage compartment that could be quickly broken down/setup and stored in same compartment. A nice stainless steel sink would be permanently installed into top of counter. Counter would be able to fit into port hull compartment when placed/removed at an angle, after four wooden legs would be placed/removed from sockets. Would use only top-notch beautiful varnished wood for both projects. Legs would rest on area surrounding hatch rim (opening). Would use existing pump style faucet for a few years until it breaks, then upgrade to something nicer. Will need to make a small (about 24' )seat cushion and backrest the same as factory in Tijuana to make it look/function properly. Got a little crazier and decided to weigh the removed empty sliding galley with sliding brackets. Weight = 29.6 Lbs. This idea also stems from the desire to make access to rear berth less obstructed and more inviting for naps. Want to do the mod for ladder that swivels to stbd later on. I can always reassemble the sliding galley later if I don't like this setup. What type of wood is the most beautiful and functional for this? How crazy was this to do ?

[Irafatsar]

How much you want for the galley?

[curtis from carlsbad]

Did you break yours- just curious?

[The Mutt]

Curtis

With the original table in the 26M being so small you might be able to make a mod similar to what Winnebago in Australia did in some of their motorhomes, a narrow cupboard against the wall that actually has the table, it lifts vertically and pivots to horizontal, instant table, if you are interested I'll take a pic when we are next in to do some repairs.

Glenn

[Terry]

I always wondered how long it was going to take before someone realized the inadequacies of the sliding galley. Sure most owners have grown to like it, but when I first saw it I wondered what had gotten into Roger. I believe he was overly influenced my the vocal minority that squacked about the lack of the X dinnette layout.
The 2003 & 2004 M design was carried over from the old 26D model which had a lower cabin top hence less standing room and pop-top. The galley was fixed located between the daggerboard trunk and starboard hull. The addition of the mirror in the M accentuated the galley and gave the illusion of a larger one. I have been in the newer M and have had those owners in my 2003 model and a few have mentioned the voluminous appearance of the '03 layout.
We don't use our dinette table setup for anything more than breakfast and the occasional diner, most of our cooking and eating (lunch included) is in the cockpit so I have created setups that work in the cockpit. The alcohol stove does not heat intense enough to do any more than boil water for coffee and tea, we use a propane woods stove topside and the propane B-B-Q for cooking and that keeps all cooking smoke outside.
Having such wide open access to the aft berth does become inviting for the occasionl nap and also makes it easier to access when making the bed, actually both sides are wide open on the '03 M, you can swing off the ladder from either side and land on your bed.
I am sure the sliding galley works for those who use it but I have to wonder about having something that moves so easily in a boat that is corky and heels a lot. Eventually those slides will wear and fatigue to breaking point and require repair, reminds me of power windows in older cars, they always broke down, I hated them.
The original M layout worked for the original design with the mirror, once they changed it they should have just removed the mirror since it served no further function, it was only useful when the galley was in front of it.
Perhaps a new M with a return to the original layout is in order, just my take on it.

[Russ]

I took my galley out to do some mods to it. It's amazing how easy it is to remove.

Unlike you, I'm going to put it back in. Although it looks butt ugly plastic, it's still somewhat functional, although I think we'll keep it slid forward.

Hey, maybe while it's out I could paint it or something. Anything that would make the M more organic would help. A decent carpenter could make a nicer looking galley.


--Russ

[Highlander]

Sorry Terry I disagree big time !

I've dined in both , if you live on the boat all summer as I try to do Thurs night through Mon morn its great to have the table set and not have to move it or people to get past the table with the old M the table is always in the way & blocks access to the bow , head , hatch
when the sliding galley is in its center poss their is just as much room to get into the port aft berth as the old M , the sliding galley is strong enough for what is is designed for " your not suppose to be sitting in the sink !" thats what the head's for I do cook inside at times so I think its great to be able to just turn around & set the diner on the table and still be able to move around
With the galley slid all the way aft their is a mod that was done on this site that gives you the same set up as the old M two long couches so now you can have the best of both worlds old M & new M , So Ya see Terry you can not do that
It was not the minority crying foul that doomed the old M
It was that sales dropped off drastically with the old M center dinnette, So changes had to be made thus the sliding galley, side dinette , remember this involved making new costly inside molds "not a cheap fix"

So the Fact is The Mob Rules !

And next time out we will hit the bar's & discuss this in much more detail and I beleive its your turn to pay
So when the waiter comes to the table I'll tell her honey two big buckets of super hot spicey chicken wings two large pitchers of beer & Scotch yes & Honey you can just leave the bottle on the table I'll give her my ph # as a Tip , So you will be going home alone

J

[NiceAft]

Terry,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I agree with John, at least most of what he posted

We made up our minds to purchase a Mac in 2001, but still needed something to pull her with. In 2003 we were ready to buy, but were stopped by a dramatic health problem. We were ready again eight months later, but were disappointed when we saw the 2004 M at the Annapolis boat show. We did not like the interior at all. When we went back the next year, the 2005 model pleased us. We bought it, and picked it up about six months later.

Ray

[Irafatsar]

Did you break yours- just curious?

We manufacture stuff . Actually we want to make some mods for the inside of the galley. if I had yours at the shop we could work on it during the week. If you let us borrow it for a while I will make two kits, and keep it out of the terrible weather we have here. LOL We have several designs we want to produce and photograph to see if there is any interest in our conversions. We already have have curtains, a acrylic door with storage cover for the companion way almost ready to show. We will offer custom laser engraved logos/boat names on the door also.

[Terry]

Sorry Terry I disagree big time !

I've dined in both , if you live on the boat all summer as I try to do Thurs night through Mon morn its great to have the table set and not have to move it or people to get past the table with the old M the table is always in the way & blocks access to the bow , head , hatch
Actually my table is in two pieces so I can put one half in place and still get by to go forward, only the '03 has this feature. Since I am there to sail I don't keep the table set otherwise the plates would slide off in the event of a heel, do you use suction cups on your plate bottoms?
when the sliding galley is in its center poss their is just as much room to get into the port aft berth as the old M , the sliding galley is strong enough for what is is designed for " your not suppose to be sitting in the sink !" thats what the head's for I do cook inside at times so I think its great to be able to just turn around & set the diner on the table and still be able to move around Well, I can't fit in the head.
With the galley slid all the way aft their is a mod that was done on this site that gives you the same set up as the old M two long couches so now you can have the best of both worlds old M & new M , So Ya see Terry you can not do that
It was not the minority crying foul that doomed the old M
It was that sales dropped off drastically with the old M center dinnette, So changes had to be made thus the sliding galley, side dinette , remember this involved making new costly inside molds "not a cheap fix"

So the Fact is The Mob Rules !
I always thought you were involved with the mob, are you a mob boss?
And next time out we will hit the bar's & discuss this in much more detail and I beleive its your turn to pay
So when the waiter comes to the table I'll tell her honey two big buckets of super hot spicey chicken wings two large pitchers of beer & Scotch yes & Honey you can just leave the bottle on the table I'll give her my ph # as a Tip , So you will be going home alone
A waiter is too masculin for me, you can have him, I'll take the waitress as long as she is younger than you.
J

So you might make it out here again, by then I'll have my stern rail seats installed, I have them, just waiting to install them. Actually you'll see a few changes to my boat. You can have the wings, I'm alergic to them, I'll take the legs, more meat on them!

[delevi]

Personally, I like the sliding galley. It can be completely out of the way (aft) when not in use to add to the seating area, or forward when being used, also opening access to the aft berth. Lends itself to the versatility concept of the boat. Granted, the whole thing is "micky-mouse," but I have cooked many a meal on that alcohol stove... well, the main course goes on the bbq, but side dishes, etc. With pressurized water, it's not too bad. At least as much as one can reasonably expect in a 26 footer.

Leon

[FLembo18]

Highlander wrote : And next time out we will hit the bar's & discuss this in much more detail and I beleive its your turn to pay
So when the "WAITER" comes to the table I'll tell her honey two big buckets of super hot spicey chicken wings two large pitchers of beer & Scotch yes & Honey you can just leave the bottle on the table I'll give her my ph # as a Tip , So you will be going home alone

J

I'll have to agree with Terry, whatever rocks your boat, have a nice time !!

Frank L.

[timrdailey]

I have built my own galley for my older Venture. After studying several mod pages and other boat designs we are happy with the outcome. But I have a question, Since my boat didn't come with one, I have no idea what Mac used for the "sliding tracks" on their factory supplied galley. Anybody got a picture, source or DYI suggestion?

Thanks,

Cap'n Crunch

[curtis from carlsbad]

Thanks Glen- I understand the concept so no need for pictures but thank you anyway.The boat looks pretty good without the galley as long as I get the cushions made quickly to fill in the voided area.I also want to have a mirror made out of real mirror (glass) in Tijuana and install it where the plastic mirror is now. I have an extra brand new plastic mirror from the factory to use as a template. The factory one scratched up right away

[Highlander]

Terry

Out here a waiter is a waiter !!! she either wear's a skirt or pants, he always wears pants unless he's wearing a kilt ! .
But remember I did say "HER" " SHE" . But if your having a problem deciding who she he is just look for the Adams Apple. Its a dead give away ! , and if your still not sure their's always the other alternitif grab her/him by the ca-hookas . But we don't have that problem with cross dressor's out here must be an west coast thing

J