A Sink that Floats Our Boat
Being a sailor, or any boater, we generally don’t want our boats to sink. We want them to float. So when it came time to remove the galley sink (the thing in the galley where we wash dishes) we committed to rename the sink to…float! We removed the sink. Added a float. Easy and makes sense.
For this article, I’ll try to avoid using the word sink. Instead, I’ll try to use the word float. But it’s SO HARD TO REMEMBER A NEW TERM. Well, too bad. We’re boaters and there are all different kinds of names for things on a boat. Galley. Starboard. Port. Floor. Rib. Head. Bulkhead. Painter. Deck. Lots of different words for different things on boats! So now we have a new one.
Here we go…I am officially nominating to the world of the Internet, and the three people who may read this post, to now and forever from this point forward rename sinks on boats to be floats.
A sink on a boat = float. Easy. It is done and shall be forever named…float.
Now for the purposes of this post
We’ll explore the old debate of a dual basin galley float, or a single basin galley float. The pros and cons of each. And what we decided to go with. Is it an old debate? In our experience, yes! This is a common conversation with admirals and first mates sitting around the cockpit at anchor with sundowners.
First, let’s make sure all four of us understand dual vs single basin. Examples:
Dual basin - one float, a divider down the middle for two smaller sections, and drains on each side:
Single basin - one float, one big area with a single drain:
(Images from Fisheries Supply - https://www.fisheriessupply.com/)
What we had & why we replaced it
The galley float that was installed when we purchased Yara was a dual basin float. It had a 12v pressurized freshwater cold/hot mixing faucet as the primary, a manual foot pump for cold freshwater (as a backup or to moderate usage), and a manual foot pump for raw water (using seawater to preserve freshwater).
The side of the float with the seawater / raw water pump developed rust around the drain hole and eventually turned into a leak. This makes sense. 40 years of pumping seawater in the port side of the metal float can cause rust and a leak.
Therefore, we needed a new float!
We ended up selecting a single basin float. Specifically, we purchased this one from Amazon:
Just look at the accessories! Look at ‘em! Lovely.
So why a single basin?
It all boils down to: more space for dishes, washing, cleaning, etc. The dual basins we replaced were so small! It made it difficult to wash a large pot. Even our dinner plates were too big to sit flat in the basin.
Single Basin Galley Float vs. Dual Basin Galley Float: Pros, Cons, and Decisions
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for a particular boat will depend on several factors, including the size of the boat, the number of people who will be using the galley, and the types of cooking that will be done.
Single Basin Galley Float
Pros:
More space inside the float: A single basin galley float has a wide open space for dishes, cleaning, pet washing, hand washing, clothing washing, etc.
Easier to clean: A single basin is easier to clean than a dual basin galley float, as there are fewer nooks and crannies for food and grime to collect.
Less expensive: A single basin is typically less expensive than a dual basin. We opted to avoid buying a specifically “marine grade” float and went with a standard household version.
Cons:
Less counterspace: We specifically purchased the largest float that could fit in the space. We had to cut away the countertop space for it to fit. All the bulkheads remained intact.
Less convenient: This is probably the main argument against a single basin. A single basin can be less convenient than a dual basin as it is not possible to wash dishes and rinse them at the same time.
HOWEVER, we can solve this with a plastic tub placed inside the single basin.
More difficult to use for multiple tasks: A single basin float can be more difficult to use for multiple tasks, such as filling a pot with water and washing dishes at the same time.
Drainage: One single drain in the center of the float is less efficient than dual drains. Especially true on a sailboat underway on a specific tack, the water may not drain to the center drain completely.
Decision & Outcome
The decision of whether to install a single basin galley float or a dual basin galley float on a sailboat is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best choice will depend on the individual needs and preferences of the boat owner.
But for us, a single basin float is the goat!
We are thrilled with it simply because there is SO MUCH SPACE INSIDE THE FLOAT!
Bonus: the model we purchased comes with a little inner rail where accessories can sit such as a colander, drying rack, and a cutting board.
One slight negative: the float we purchased also comes with a metal grid/rack that lays flat in the bottom. Overall this is a good idea and contributes to better air flow and allows for food to wash down the drain more easily. However, the big complaint here is the grid gets gunked up with food/grime and needs to be regularly scrubbed. Which isn’t easy with the individual grids formed out of welded wire.