Let’s face it, the original sink in a Freeman 22 MKII is terrible !

The initial problem is that it’s shallow, has sloping sides and isn’t sealed along with having a tiny bespoke sized plug-hole. The result is that whenever water goes near it, the water spills and leaks into the locker underneath, rotting woodwork on it’s way and gathers in a puddle on the floor. This then takes an age to dry in winter and you get wet socks. On top of this, the plastic used is impossible to keep clean.

This inspired me to look for a deeper stainless sink which might drop into the same gap or at least only require minor modifications to fit. Of course there was no chance. Having heavily researched the internet, I did find a contender. It was termed as an ‘under-mount’ which essentially means it had a flat top lip which was required to sit underneath the melamine covered worktop flap. The first sink I ordered was always going to be a marginal fit and indeed it was and I had to return it. My second attempt was much more successful however and fitted exceptionally well. This did however require a new trim made of ply to be fitted to allow a cut-out to be made.

Marking up the cutout was reasonably straightforward, leveraging a drinks glass to draw a nice radius for the corners.

Having drilled some ‘starter’ holes in the panel using a brad point drill bit it was a matter of careful cutting with a jigsaw using a very fine blade to minimise breakout. At this stake, a cutting mistake would be a minor nightmare having glued everything in place already.

Once the sink had been dry fitted, a coat of sealing varnish was applied.

The sink has yet to be set in permanently as what was just swapping out the sink has become a full galley re-fit, cooker and all.