The old cabinet was mostly just 3 parts, 2 sides that it hung by and a larger shelf that connected the two verticle sides. This also had some plexiglass as I remember, but I did away with that a few years ago and replaced with backside and door on front. The problem was, this cabinet was too small to hold the microwave and the dishes at the same time, but larger than it needed to be to hold just the microwave. So.. either larger or smaller... hum.... larger it is.

The old cabinet

My son was so nice for me to view what the microwave would look like if in this position. Well, since his hourly rate is more than I could afford, I decided it would be cheaper to buy solid teak and teak plywood than to hire him to hold it. So, I took the 5 minutes he gave me as an introductory offer and ran.. to West Marine and Boat US... spent my money well.

he could just hold it there .... forever.. or...

Yes, she too was duped into helping me with this three week long project. You see, the marina does not like us using table saws, routers, etc. on the dock (I know, they fused at me) soooooo.. back and forth we go.. some 45 miles each way with ideas, cardboard and some wood. Just trying to imagine this out from home was a challenge, but this is one step you must take... get not only measurements, but cut a cardboard pattern and test it and test it and test.. well, you get the idea.

My poor sweet wife....

So, heres another view.. yes, looks good to me. Checking the pattern from this side will show where to make additional adjustments. It helps to promises a nice dinner out for your helpers efforts... helping is a tough job too.

She looks good from this side too....

Well, here it is, the plywood version of the cardboard now cut out and put into place. We did a trip or two without the camera that did not get recorded where we held the plywood in place and marked it for final cuts and trims and more sanding. Anyway, this shows the backside, notice how the teak plywood contours the cabin top and sides.

So, cardboard to plywood..

Im standing in the galley with my fisheye lens on my digtal camera taking my first pic of the front of this project thinking.. is that all there is? I never dreamed there would be so many angles to consider, so many trips back and forth and so much of this project that looked like a total mess, but in the last few hours.. it came together just like I had invisioned.

and here, from galley view....

This is the part of the project that had me most concerned. I needed to have a place to store dishes, bowls and salad plates. I wanted it to look nice but be functional at the same time. So, I opted to go for a door that matches the rest of the galley that swings down to give complete access to everything. I rebuilt a door I already had, using almost 50% of its original wood. Works great and looks like it was factory.

but what about the dishes...

This is just another view of the same. But as I walk around it, I think.. hum, now where do I put the clock and barometer. I asked a couple of friends onboard to get their opinion.. thanks Mark... think I like yours. See following pics.

just another view

So, my best excuse is gone forever, I will just have to admit I dont want to come home when its time, just will have to find a new excuse for being late for dinner. My friend Mark, whose taste is excellent.. suggested this would be a likely spot for the clock and barometer.. think he has a good eye.

Now I cant say I had no idea of the time, honey..

Where the light shines on the backside will soon be a portrait of Freebird under sail or maybe some other nautical type image. Anyway, this will be a nice spot to warm up the interior with something other than brass.

Future home of Freebirds portrait..

All and all, I am very pleased. My router got a good work out as my hands and table saw did along with my wifes patience.

So, this is the result of my efforts...