260 Mod: Galley
As we cruise around in BlueJ as much as we race, having a workable galley is important to us. The 260 galley is decent, but can benefit from some clever mods.
First up is the stove. From the factory the boat came with a cage for a euro-gaz bottle/burner. As this type of gas is not available in the USA, I planned to switch it out for something I know quite well, a Origo 3000 dual burner stove running on non-pressurized alcohol. Happily, after removing the board that held the cage for the euro-gaz burner, the opening was almost perfect size to take the 3000 with its gimbals. Only two small shims were needed to make it work.
Also shown is the icebox drain line. This comes from the factory open from the box and drained into the bilge. We found that messy, so we T'ed it into the sink drain behind a one-way flow valve. We leave that value closed unless there is standing water in the box. Next year I might add a Norcold icebox conversion. Cold beer 24x7!
EDIT - This has been done, see the project HERE
My handy-work in the galley has however been totally outclassed by an Irish First 260 owner, who added a rack of shelves to the boat. I lost the picture, but this boat from Portugal at least shows the concept. While the workmanship is not at the same level, the added storage is great, and takes advantage of a huge unused space on the boat.
First up is the stove. From the factory the boat came with a cage for a euro-gaz bottle/burner. As this type of gas is not available in the USA, I planned to switch it out for something I know quite well, a Origo 3000 dual burner stove running on non-pressurized alcohol. Happily, after removing the board that held the cage for the euro-gaz burner, the opening was almost perfect size to take the 3000 with its gimbals. Only two small shims were needed to make it work.
Also shown is the icebox drain line. This comes from the factory open from the box and drained into the bilge. We found that messy, so we T'ed it into the sink drain behind a one-way flow valve. We leave that value closed unless there is standing water in the box. Next year I might add a Norcold icebox conversion. Cold beer 24x7!
EDIT - This has been done, see the project HERE
My handy-work in the galley has however been totally outclassed by an Irish First 260 owner, who added a rack of shelves to the boat. I lost the picture, but this boat from Portugal at least shows the concept. While the workmanship is not at the same level, the added storage is great, and takes advantage of a huge unused space on the boat.
Sadly the ingenious Irish mod photo seems to have disappeared!
ReplyDeleteAlso want to see it.
ReplyDeleteHi! As an Irish 260 owner, I'd love to see that photo. Any chance you still have it?
ReplyDeleteOK, I'll have another look into the picture vault. Shame on me to direct linking to it, and not making a local copy!
ReplyDeleteIts sadly gone. But the picture I posted in its stead at least shows the concept.
ReplyDeleteHI, I did the mod of kitchen on First 25.7. Interested in pictures to be posted here?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd be interested, thanks
DeleteHI, check this link, there are pictures of kitchen mode, also describes how to have cool beer on Beneteau First 25.7 (thanks to your Rarebird blog description). http://www.morjeplovec.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27395
ReplyDeleteThis ling is the holy grail for the First 25.7/260 mod series! (plus rarebird, which is the bible and inspiration for us First owners!)
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