One or Two Sinks In Galley

[Deleted member 36384]

This winter my galley will be refurbished. Currently she has 2 sinks discharging into a common sea cock. There are two issues with this arrangement: the sink furthest from the centre line and furthest outboard of the seacock will back flow when cranked over to port, the drain hoses and Y adaptor take up quite a bit of room in the under sink locker.

The pressurised water system can discharge into both sinks but the manual fresh water pump only discharges into one and the manual seawater pump only discharges into the other. I do find that both sinks are useful when I have a large crew and for cooking/cleaning when underway.

I am currently considering removing the sink that is the most outboard and converting the space below it into a cave locker accessible via a worktop opening.

Currently I coastal sail but will be undertaking extended voyages. What do live aboards think who have two sinks, would they remove one for more locker space? Have you removed one and regretted it I can probably fix the back flow when healed by installing a pump or lapping the Blakes seacock.

My current plan is to remove the sink which will leave me with one quite shallow, small sink. Thoughts and ideas appreciated.

Regards,

BlowingOldBoots

 

[Tranona]

I have two sinks side by side with their own drain so no problem with back filling. One is smaller than the other and seems to work well for me - one for washing, the other for draining. TBH you can construct sound arguments for and against and the trade off storage space against sinks, but it is really up to what you think will work for you. For me, I don't think the small amount of additional storage from changing to a single sink is worth it, although the extra counter space if keeping the same size single sink might be useful. Would not, however want just one small shallow sink.

 

[BobnLesley]

The Galley-Slave says keep them both unless you are absolutely desperate for the locker space; small & shallow sinks are fine/preferred, provided that one sink at least is large enough to accommodate a plastic washing-up bowl. The seawater-tap is very useful too, if you can't get it to discharge into both sinks, try to have it discharging into the inboard/most accessible one.

We had one sink and saltwater, then two-sinks no saltwater tap for a short while; we went back to one sink no salt-water (for about a week) before top of the list was 'fit a saltwater tap' with 'fit a second sink' close behind. We've no problems with backflowing (perhaps just lucky?) though our sink outlets are joined with a T rather than a Y connector, with the 'branch' arm going to the inboard sink; so far no problems (as I'd originally anticipated) with blockages at the T junction.

 

[slipknot]

2 sinks. Use 1 as a drainer.

 

[prv]

I would always prefer two sinks. Where else do you put things to drain while washing up? The second sink is the equivalent of the domestic draining board, which would be useless at sea.

I also use the second sink, with its chopping-board cover, during the day as a place to put dirty crockery. Not from a full meal, I'd wash that up straight away, but the odd plates and knives that you get from making sandwiches, cutting cake, etc. These can all sit safely in the second sink, out of sight under the cover, until it's time to wash up after dinner. Meanwhile the other sink is free to make tea in, and to hold the mugs between brews.

Pete

 

[neil1967]

We only have one sink at present - adding a second shallow sink (with infill to preserve worktop space) is on the list to be done. We have sailled yachts with twin sinks and it is much more convenient.

Neil

 

[Carmel2]

2 sinks. Use 1 as a drainer.

+1

 

[macd]

We have exactly the same issue as the OP: the outer sink half-fills with seawater when we heel. As others have said it's useful as a drainer, so we'll be keeping it. Already on the list of next winter's projects is giving it its own valve.

 

[prv]

We have exactly the same issue as the OP: the outer sink half-fills with seawater when we heel. As others have said it's useful as a drainer, so we'll be keeping it. Already on the list of next winter's projects is giving it its own valve.

The bottom of Kindred Spirit's (single) sink is about level with the waterline (good old-fashioned boat shape that sits in the water rather than on top of it!). I fitted a bilge pump to empty it, which also provides two one-way valves and completely prevented water coming back up. The pump I used was a Whale Smartbail, which has a neat cover that doesn't look too industrial as part of a galley.

Pete

 

[Novachris]

I have two sinks,one fresh the other salt water..i am thinking of chopping out the salt water one and useing the space to put a solid fuel stove in...we dont use the salt water sink very often, as for a draining board it takes a lot of space.

 

[Mad Pad]

2 sinks drainer and dishwasher..amazing how it cleans the glasses!

 

[TQA]

Had one sink in the last boat, two in the current one.

Two is MUCH better IMHO.

I can prewash in one with salt and then have hot fresh soapy water in the other.

On passage when it is rough wash in one and drain in the other.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Thanks for your opinions and observations. The galley work top will be replaced with a Corrian type material which allows for sinks to be bonded in with nearly any shape and size (my neighbour fits Corrian kitchens and his daughter has just taken over the business and she is keen to do the yacht). I'll keep a twin sinks design, have dual insert lids and rework the waste pipe route to open up the storage space at the back of the sink locker. Thanks for the pump idea Pete, this is probably the solution, even if I lap in the plug of the seacock.

Regards,

BlowingOldBoots

 

[Blueboatman]

Smart decision imo
You could fit a non return valve to the outer sink ( or common) waste , available as a Whale component .

 

[alexsailor]

2

 

[hartcjhart]

1 and a 1/2

 

[sailorgirl]

Two sinks - as well dish washing and drainer, if you are doing laundry (smaller items, not the bedding) you can wash in one and rinse in the other. We've a non return valve fitted to the shared drain on ours to prevent flooding the outboard lockers above the work surface when beating to windward (not that we do that often, going to windward that is) and a chopping board that fits on either sink as a work surface extension (would like a second to match the first but it is a solid lump of teak that cost a fortune).

The other thing that is useful is a hand pumped fresh water tap via a charcoal filter for drinking water - no need for filter jugs or to buy bottled water.