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Old 24-10-2016, 16:57   #1
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Thoughts on fiddles

I am in midst of a galley refit of a Amel Mango. I am replacing the counters with Corian and would like to know if fiddles are necessary or just a great place to collect crumbs and launch objects.

I have the choice of a bullnose edge, a fiddle, or even a removable fiddle if I want to get fancy (but potentially not as clean).

Does anybody have experience with ocean crossing without fiddles? Do they make a difference on the hook? I cannot say that I have "used" them underway as I remove everything from the counters before getting underway.
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Old 24-10-2016, 17:18   #2
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

you will want them.
definitely. saves a lot of work cleaning up stuff -- food, plates, flatware, clothing, condiments....
but--it is up to you. ye can always add them later, when you purchase the new plates and ....
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Old 24-10-2016, 17:20   #3
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

Under way we use sticky rubber lace-like "cloth" to help keep things in place, and in fact fiddles don't help much then. But how about when you are at anchor in a calm harbour, dishes and jars of pickles on the counter and without warning, a distant pilot boat booms by throwing a huge wake which gives you a sudden big roll? That's when fiddles come into play IME... I'd sure keep them on any boat of mine!

Jim

PS while I do like fiddles, my favorites are cellos...
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Old 24-10-2016, 18:08   #4
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

I'm glad I had my wooden ones reinstalled when I changed the countertops to Corian. Looks really polished and boaty mcboatlike
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Old 24-10-2016, 18:12   #5
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

If you decide to retain the fiddles, make sure there are "crumb holes", spaces where you can sweep out the crumbs. Also, if this is a galley re-fit, do radius all your corners, it is so d--n hard to keep tight right angle corners clean, and the radius will make all the difference.

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Old 24-10-2016, 18:24   #6
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

Go into your kitchen and dig out a nice sizable serving tray. Put a plate and a bowl on it, preferably plastic. Then, reasonably suddenly, tilt one side up to 20º-30º. Before anything comes to rest, quickly reverse the angle by the same amount. Then ask yourself whether fiddles are necessary on your galley counters as you recover the (hopefully) unbroken bowl and plate from your floor/counter top.
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Old 24-10-2016, 18:58   #7
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

I was on a hanse recently, no fiddles on the table etc. Im with Jim, the sticky weaved cloths are the way to go, but the fiddles are also important to me. Something im not liking about modern boats are the lack of things like fiddles, multiple hand grabs and deep sinks. You cant really appreciate those details until trying to live on a boat for several days while off shore.
I've seen a couple of monos with non gimballed stoves! I wonder if they have been sailed.

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Old 24-10-2016, 19:14   #8
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

How does the name "fiddles" come into use describing the raised edges of tables, trays, etc on a boat? Curious
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Old 24-10-2016, 20:22   #9
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

They definitely are worth it, though you need to have ones which are respectable in height for them to work well. Otherwise they're just decorative trim that tends to add problems. Though even short ones do aid in holding on to furniture when the boat's bouncing around.
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Old 24-10-2016, 20:37   #10
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

Very much in favor of fiddles, including inside some storage lockers.

This is one of the smarter installations with which I have had experience.

Photo borrowed from YBW.




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Old 24-10-2016, 20:39   #11
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

I don't care how many sticky mats you have, fiddles are near indispensible in my book if you sail long distances. It's not practical to keep the counter clear all the time, and they keep loose objects you put down momentarily from flying off, like flashlights, coffee mugs, pencils, screws, etc. And I've seen more than one plate or bowl or mug make a run for it off a sticky mat only to be saved by the fiddle.

And sticky mats don't stop rolly things from taking flight, like tipped over salt canisters, or fruit or vegetables...
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Old 24-10-2016, 20:52   #12
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate View Post
If you decide to retain the fiddles, make sure there are "crumb holes", spaces where you can sweep out the crumbs. Also, if this is a galley re-fit, do radius all your corners, it is so d--n hard to keep tight right angle corners clean, and the radius will make all the difference.

Ann
Yes, Ann's right, open spaces in the fiddles are absolutely necessary to make it easy to clean. The photo that was posted didn't have them, IIRC. Sometimes it's easier to have the crumb holes at the corners, maybe even less woodwork. My table has open corners, my galley doesn't and I wish it had. Also, if you can, recess your sink(s). Cleaning up at the edge of top mounted sinks is a PITA. Good luck.
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Old 24-10-2016, 21:01   #13
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

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Originally Posted by Stu Jackson View Post
Yes, Ann's right, open spaces in the fiddles are absolutely necessary to make it easy to clean. The photo that was posted didn't have them, IIRC. Sometimes it's easier to have the crumb holes at the corners, maybe even less woodwork. My table has open corners, my galley doesn't and I wish it had. Also, if you can, recess your sink(s). Cleaning up at the edge of top mounted sinks is a PITA. Good luck.
Yep, clean out ports for crumbs are handy. As are recessed sinks. And I'm a fan of recessing them enough so that you can place a section of counter top material/cutting board into the recess & have it sit flush with the level of the rest of one's counters. It makes for a nice bit of extra working surface, & makes incorporating 2 sinks less of a compromise from the perspective of losing that section of counter top to a sink.
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Old 25-10-2016, 03:56   #14
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Blebrant.
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Old 25-10-2016, 10:17   #15
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Re: Thoughts on fiddles

Crumb scuppers are certainly useful.

What I tried to illustrate in the pic above is that the acrylic/lucite used is transparent, strong, easily form-able into elaborate curves and is impervious to water. And, it doesn't need varnishing.

This was the first time I had seen it used aboard, and I think it to be better suited to purpose than teak or some other wood.

I am less sure for whether or not tables should have fiddles. In my case, they have proven uncomfortable. Keeps your elbows off the table! Currently quite happy with a fiddle-less dining table.
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