Lightweight Top That Fits On Top Fits The Marine Lifestyle

A Granite Transformations worktop surface, known as the top that fits on top, is normally associated with kitchen makeovers on dry land. Yet the material’s comparatively light weight and flexibility make it equally suitable for marine applications, where its outstanding resistance to stains, spills, scratches and heat should enable the diamond-polished finish to withstand the toughest conditions afloat.

Retired decorator and former deputy headteacher, John and Joan Hodgson, chose Trend R, Granite Transformations’ luxurious granite mix, for the galley of their recently-built narrowboat, the material fitting beautifully over the original laminate worktops. The work was carried out quickly and unobtrusively by Granite Transformations’ Nottinghamshire showroom, in Newark, which also performed a similar galley makeover on a 60ft yacht owned by a retired boatbuilder, around the same time.

“With its high tech blend of finest Italian granite and around five per cent polyester resin, this material is far lighter and slimmer than granite slab or engineered stone, yet offers the same, if not superior technical performance,” says local GT franchise owner, Ian Floyde.

“Flexing on a boat can cause cracking, which would certainly be a problem with natural stone, but our material has excellent flexural strength,” he continues. “There can also be a ballast issue if there is too much weight on one side of the boat, although again our agglomerate is two thirds lighter than granite slab. There are no maintenance problems either, with no need for regular sealing to prevent odours and staining.”

For John and Joan Hodgson, their galley surfaces and splashbacks will need to retain their good looks for years to come, because they have actually sold their home and plan to live on the narrowboat full time. After more than twenty years of canal boating, either renting or through shared ownership, they finally took the plunge recently and invested in a 60ft long x 7ft wide steel shell, then had it fitted out in luxurious American Ash, by Manchester specialists Crown Narrowboats.

The boat’s name is Tagine Queen, because Joan had a penchant for lamb tagine when visiting a particular canalside pub and was nicknamed that by the landlady. She and John also had a hankering for granite worktops in the galley, but the cost would have taken them over budget. Later, however, a boatbuilder told them about ‘the top that fits on top’, its affordability and practicality, so the distinctive look and appeal of Italian granite was suddenly feasible.

The Tagine Queen’s exterior is painted in eau de nil and meadow green (and regularly maintained by ex-professional painter John), so the worktops are in another shade of green, Verde Olivia. Described appropriately by the designer as ‘resembling a mountain stream at twilight’, it features flecks of black and copper floating on a bed of dark mossy greens and complements the galley’s light ash woodwork perfectly. The two 8ft x 2ft and 5ft x 2ft countertops were measured up and templated by a GT technician, then made off-site at the Newark workshops, before being fitted in less than a day, with no mess, ripping out or disruption.

“Apart from access and a relatively confined work space, it was a perfectly straightforward job,” says Ian Floyde. “We just had to bring the slabs in through a narrowboat window.”

“The galley has been totally transformed and we’re delighted with the result,” say John and Joan, who are currently enjoying a six month cruise around the canals of rural England, having embarked from Wigrams Turn Marina in Warwickshire. They plan to test their galley worktops to the full, since an internet link on the boat will facilitate regular deliveries of fine wine and food from Tesco Direct!

For further details, contact Granite Transformations, Decimus Park, Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3GP, tel 08700 427 450 or visit www.granitetransformations.co.uk

JULY 2010