A novel use of Formica makes a convenient place for to-do lists
Issue 152: Sept/Oct 2023
Peeling off the veneer was a relatively easy process.
Creating project lists is a common tactic among boat owners. Some sailors scribble their to-dos on the backs of random receipts, others have spiral-bound notebooks, and some even keep spreadsheets tucked away on their computers. As techie as I like to think we are, my husband, Chris, and I agree that there is no better feeling than physically crossing an item off your project list when it’s finished — or in our case, erasing it entirely.
Back in 2019, we had just accomplished a major varnishing project inside our 1979 Cheoy Lee 41, Avocet, and rolled right into our next project to restore the portlights, which, as usual, turned into an entirely different project. One of the many reasons we fell in love with our boat was her teak interior. But her cabin sides had suffered water damage, and we decided that a nice pop of white would go far to brighten up the interior. However, instead of painting the cabin sides white, we decided to install Formica, a tough countertop laminate that was not only easy to clean, but also gave us a new place to write our endless to-do lists with dry-erase markers.
The finished product looks better and is a handy place to make lists.
With the paper-thin and damaged teak veneer peeled away from the cabin sides, we sanded and prepped the fiberglass for the new Formica, which we had carefully measured and cut to the necessary lengths. We attached the Formica with contact cement, the preferred applicator for it, and applied manual pressure until the product was cured, about 15 minutes later.
We love teak as much as anyone, but the newly white surfaces better reflect light and make our living space feel more like a home and less like a cave. With the cabin sides finished and looking bright, we tested our work by grabbing a red dry-erase pen and scribbling down our next few projects on the Formica, which is also used as whiteboards.
The cabin sides are now a great place for lists and small daily reminders.
It’s been four years since we accomplished that project, and we have written down and erased many things from our cabin side to-do list. We are happy to say that lately, the dry erase pens have been tucked away in the nav desk and our cabin sides have remained white — but we know a list will find its way onto them soon enough.
Marissa and her husband, Chris, have lived aboard their 1979 Cheoy Lee 41, Avocet, since 2018, preparing to sail the world. They recently cast off their docklines and have been cruising the Pacific coast since 2022. You can follow their adventures on www.svavocet.com and on their YouTube channel, Sailing Avocet.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
