Marine Woodworking & Joinery

The interior of a cruising sailboat tends to evolve over the years — the galley layout that worked at first charter no longer suits a couple with two kids and a cat; the original chart table becomes a redundant relic when chartplotters take over; built-in storage gets reshaped to fit how the boat is actually lived in. Custom joinery is the trade that handles all of this.

Common projects

Galley re-do: New worktops, drawer reconfiguration, custom storage.
Saloon table: Lift-tops, fold-outs, fiddles, refinishing.
Cabin reconfigurations: Convert pilot berth to office; remove unused quarter berth.
Companionway: Replacement, hatch board sets, drop boards.
Exterior brightwork: Toe rails, handrails, eyebrow strake, cap rails.
Custom mounts: Chartplotter brackets, charging-station joinery, fitted storage.

What it costs

Project	Common range (USD)	Notes
Galley refit (modest)	$4,000–10,000	Worktops, hardware
Full interior refit (40 ft)	$20,000–60,000	Major work
Exterior varnish refresh	$800–2,000	Toe rails + handrails
Full bright-finish package	$3,000–8,000	40-foot boat
Custom cabinetry / piece	$500–2,500	Per built-in
Labour / hour (low cost)	$20–40	Turkey, Greece, Thailand
Labour / hour (high cost)	$80–160	US/EU

Where joinery is done well

Turkey (Bodrum, Marmaris): Traditional gulet-building skills.
Greece (Preveza, Kalamata): Skilled local craftsmen.
Thailand (Phuket): Excellent teak work.
Italy: High quality, higher cost.
New Zealand: Strong woodworking tradition.
US East Coast: Top quality, premium pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Common projects?

Galley refits, saloon tables, cabin reconfigs, varnish work, custom mounts.

Full refit cost?

Modest galley $4,000–10,000. Full interior $20,000–60,000.

Varnish cost?

Exterior refresh $800–2,000. Full bright-finish $3,000–8,000.

Best places?

Turkey, Greece, Thailand for value. US/EU for premium.

DIY?

Basic joinery yes. High-finish and complex curves: hire specialists.