My Sink on the Cheap Project

[SGTiger]

I thought there might be someone interested in my sink project for my pontoon. I wanted to add a small sink while also adding storage space. We grill out a lot on the boat, and I really missed having a sink for hand washing after handling raw meat and washing off utensils, etc...

I didn't want to spend a ton of money so I guess we will see if I get what I paid for. I got the 10" x 10" corner rv sink from ebay for $35. I wanted a good quality bar type faucet with only one handle. I found a great deal on ebay for a real heavy new Elkay Bar Faucet for $29. For the cabinet, I went to Lowes and found the plastic cabinet for approx $49. The top surface is like 27" x 15".

I had a sheet of treated 1/2" plywood laying around so I used a piece of it to reinforce the top installing it flush under the plastic top.

Photos are linked below of the newly trimmed out sink. I haven't caulked it yet. Still left to do:

1) Install the pump under the sink. I already had a Jabsco Par Max 1 42630-2900 which I used in a portable fan and misting system I built a couple of years ago for my daughter's softball team. This is an rv type pump that automatically turns on when it senses a drop in the pressure (the faucet being opened) and auto shuts off when it reaches a certain psi.
2) Wire the pump back to the spare battery I have under the helm.
3) Install a toggle switch for the pump in the side of the cabinet.
3) Install a 5 gallon fresh water tank under the seat just in front of the helm.
4) Install a 2-3 gallon container under the drain for the waste water.

[jlbutl]

For the waste water, why not just run a line out the side under the wall or through the deck? My built in sink drains straight out, no holding system, and thats from manufacturer. I'd assume since its not technically "waste" that its fine to dump overboard. Just my 2 cents though. Oh, and thats a nice job BTW!

[HandymanHerb]

[ezmuny13]

you can let sink and shower water drain straight out,w/o a problem...mine does on my hoseboat

[SGTiger]

Thanks fellows. Most of the time we drop anchor in a cove. While I cook, a lot of people swim around the boat. I'm wondering if the sink gray water would coat the swimmers so to speak?

[bassn386]

It never ceases to amaze me about the ingenuity and creativity of many of you on this forum!
Make sure you post photos after you get your sink installed on the boat.

[jac]

Nice. Thought about this a couple of times, but not sure what I would mount it on. That cabinet is perfect.

[ezrollin]

Nice clean looking setup ! I'm planning on a small outside sink and insta-shower down the road for my weekender.

[SGTiger]

Nice. Thought about this a couple of times, but not sure what I would mount it on. That cabinet is perfect.

Yeah I like the cabinet. It is actually made of resin instead of plastic and is very sturdy. It has 2 shelves plus the bottom to store things. Only thing is, I'm not crazy about the black top even though I have some black trim around the helm area. I think I'm going to add a white acrylic cutting board to cover the top.

[Red555]

Great job. I second the request for photos of the finished product.

[spurhunter]

Great looking project! I agree, the waste water tank is just that, a waste. Unless your going to put a LOT of nasty stuff down that drain, youd be fine to just dump straight into the lake.

[tooned out]

Great looking project ya got there.

[SGTiger]

Thanks everyone. Here is an update:

As I mentioned earlier I did not like that black top. I decided to add a stone look to the top which helps tie the color of the cabinet to the color of my existing furniture. Its kind of hard to discern the various colors of the top from the photos below. The top actually has a stone like texture, which I like, instead of a smooth finish.

I mounted the water pump along with a toggle switch which is at the very back just below the faucet handle. I wanted it to be close in case I turn on the faucet only to realize I didn't turn the pump on at the beginning of the day.

Next up I want to add folding shelves to each side similar to the shelves that some grills have. I hope to add the stone look with black trim to the shelves. The shelves (15"x 13.5") will fold down when not in use, but should add much needed "counter" space when cooking/grilling. The folding shelf brackets are on the way from Amazon.

Still to do:
1) Add the drainage tubing. I still would like a small tank to drain into for when swimmers are real close to the drain exit. I hope to put a valve at the bottom of the tank to drain it when we are ready to move out of the swimming area. Can't yet find a suitable small tank that will be easy to put a drain and valve at the bottom.
2) Add the folding shelves.
3) Mount the cabinet into the pontoon.

[Bamby]

Still to do:
1) Add the drainage tubing. I still would like a small tank to drain into for when swimmers are real close to the drain exit. I hope to put a valve at the bottom of the tank to drain it when we are ready to move out of the swimming area. Can't yet find a suitable small tank that will be easy to put a drain and valve at the bottom.

I agree with you entirely it's a very good idea and I'd highly recommend it. Though a holding tank for gray water may not be required at the moment in the area you're boating in the way law's are rapidly changing anymore it very well could be in the near future. A gray water holding tank wasn't necessary in Ohio a while back but here's the way the restrictions read now:

Vessel Sanitary Systems
(ORC 1547.33)
Except on Lake Erie, the Muskingum River and the Ohio River, no person shall launch, moor, dock, operate or permit to be operated any vessel with a sink, toilet, or sanitary system capable of discharging urine, fecal matter, contents of a chemical commode, kitchen wastes, laundry wastes, slop sink drainage, or other household wastes into the waters in this state. Such a sink, toilet, or sanitary system shall be removed, sealed or made to drain into a tank or reservoir that can be carried or pumped ashore for disposal in an approved sewage treatment works.

[Bill1031]

Looks cool . While reading the post I thought of something you could use for your holding tank. Local resturants that fry food change the oil in the fryers usually once a week or so. The containers that the new oil comes in is 4 or 5 gal and has a screw on top about 3in. That would make for easy cleaning or winterizing. The plastic is clear and pretty sturdy. They throw them away with the trash. Might get one or two from one of them. My local little mom and pop eatery does this and I take a couple now and then to put waist motor oil in when I change oil in trucks to take to reclaim. Just an idea. Bill