Superyacht Galley Refit & Refurbishment

A superyacht galley refit is one of the most technically demanding projects within any drydock programme. Working within an existing vessel structure, with fixed utility positions, constrained ceiling heights and a yard window measured in weeks rather than months, the refit team must achieve a standard of work equal to new build — under conditions that are fundamentally more complex.

At The Superyacht Galley, galley refit is a core specialism. We have delivered galley upgrades and full refurbishments across more than 200 refit projects, on vessels ranging from 30-metre motor yachts to 90-metre flagship superyachts. We understand the operational pressures of the drydock environment and build our refit methodology around minimising yard time while maximising the standard of the finished result.

What Is a Superyacht Galley Refit?

A superyacht galley refit covers any programme of planned work that upgrades, refurbishes or reconfigures an existing yacht galley. The scope ranges from a targeted equipment upgrade — replacing an aging combi oven or outdated refrigeration suite — to a full galley strip-out and refurbishment that restores the space to as-new condition with a completely new layout, new equipment and new finishes.

Between these extremes are many intermediate scopes: ventilation system upgrades, stainless worktop replacement, cold store refurbishment, servery and pantry reconfiguration, services modification (electrical rewiring, new induction supply, gas system conversion), and partial equipment replacement within an existing layout.

Every galley refit project we manage begins with a thorough assessment of the existing galley's condition and a clear definition of what the refit must achieve. The scope is always driven by the operational requirement — what the galley needs to do — rather than by what is easiest or cheapest to execute.

Common Drivers for Galley Refit

Galley refits are typically driven by one or more of the following:

• Equipment age and reliability — marine cooking equipment has a service life of 10 to 15 years under heavy use. Older equipment becomes unreliable, parts availability diminishes and efficiency deteriorates compared to current generation technology.
• Change of ownership — new owners frequently require a galley that reflects their operational style, dietary preferences or the service standard they expect the vessel to deliver. A change of ownership is an ideal trigger for a galley refit assessment.
• Chef requirements — an incoming chef with specific equipment preferences or workflow requirements may trigger a refit of elements that functioned adequately under the previous chef but limit the new chef's performance.
• Operational upgrade — a vessel moving from owner operation to commercial charter requires a galley capable of consistently delivering to charter guests. The jump in operational demand often reveals that the existing galley cannot cope.
• Regulatory compliance — changes to flag state requirements, class society rules or MCA LY3 standards may require updates to gas systems, ventilation, fire suppression or food safety provisions.
• Charter competitiveness — in the luxury charter market, a dated galley with obsolete equipment negatively affects charter broker assessments and, ultimately, booking rates. Refit investment in the galley delivers direct commercial returns.

Our Galley Refit Survey Process

Every refit engagement begins with a comprehensive galley survey. We attend the vessel — wherever it is located — and conduct a systematic inspection covering structural condition, equipment condition and remaining service life, utility infrastructure (electrical supply, plumbing, gas), ventilation performance, surface finishes, storage condition and the overall ergonomic and workflow performance of the existing layout.

The survey is conducted with input from the yacht chef and chief stewardess, who provide operational context that a visual inspection alone cannot capture. We document every deficiency and every operational constraint, and produce a survey report that provides the complete factual basis for the refit scope definition.

The survey report is presented with three to four refit scope options — ranging from a minimum intervention that addresses critical deficiencies to a full refurbishment that fully resets the galley to current standards. Each option is scoped with indicative costs and programme timescales, allowing the owner or manager to make an informed decision about the level of investment that meets their objectives.

Full Galley Strip-Out and Refurbishment

A full galley refurbishment involves complete removal of all existing equipment, cabinetry, surfaces and utility fittings, followed by structural preparation and the installation of a completely new galley to an updated specification. This is the most comprehensive refit scope and delivers the most complete reset of galley performance.

Full refurbishment is appropriate when the existing layout has significant workflow or ergonomic deficiencies that cannot be addressed within the existing structure; when equipment is comprehensively aged across multiple categories; when utility infrastructure requires complete replacement; or when the owner wishes to bring the galley up to the standard of a current new build vessel.

Our full refurbishment service covers all elements of the scope: survey and specification, layout design, equipment procurement, stainless fabrication, joinery coordination, ventilation upgrade, utility modification, installation supervision and commissioning. The owner and captain have a single point of contact for the entire programme.

Targeted Equipment Upgrade

Not every galley refit requires a full strip-out. In many cases, a targeted programme of equipment replacement — addressing the specific items that are causing operational problems or approaching end of life — delivers significant performance improvement at a fraction of the cost and yard time of a full refurbishment.

Common targeted upgrade scopes include:

• Cooking suite replacement — replacing aging hobs, ovens or combination cookers with current generation induction or gas appliances
• Refrigeration upgrade — replacing under-counter and upright refrigeration units with marine-grade current specification equipment and improved cold storage capacity
• Ventilation upgrade — replacing aged extraction canopies and fans with a correctly specified and balanced ventilation system, including fire suppression integration
• Dishwasher and warewashing replacement — upgrading to high-efficiency marine-grade dishwashers that reduce cycle times, water consumption and heat output
• Coffee system upgrade — installing barista-specification coffee equipment appropriate to the vessel's service standard

Stainless Steel Surface Refurbishment and Replacement

Marine stainless steel surfaces in a working superyacht galley have a hard life — heat cycling, impact, cleaning chemicals and constant use degrades surface finish and, over time, can compromise the structural integrity of welded joints. Surface replacement is often the most visible element of a galley refit and delivers the most immediate impact on the galley's appearance and hygiene standards.

Our stainless fabrication team manufactures replacement worktops, sinks, drainers, preparation tables and bespoke fixtures to the exact dimensions of the existing galley, minimising the need for structural modification while delivering new surface quality. All fabrication is from 316L marine-grade stainless steel, laser cut and TIG-welded to precise tolerances.

Ventilation and Extraction Upgrades

Galley ventilation is one of the most commonly deficient systems aboard older superyachts. An undersized or poorly balanced extraction system creates heat, humidity, odour and fire risk — all of which affect the health and comfort of the crew and the quality of the galley environment. Many older vessels were built with ventilation specifications that do not meet the demands of current commercial cooking equipment, particularly where induction or additional cooking positions have been added since original build.

We assess existing ventilation performance against the cooking load, specify a correctly sized and balanced replacement system and coordinate installation with the yard. Where existing ductwork cannot be modified, we identify the best achievable performance within the structural constraints and specify accordingly.

All ventilation upgrades include fire suppression integration, ensuring compliance with MCA LY3 requirements and relevant classification society rules. We work with approved fire suppression system providers and coordinate testing and certification as part of the installation programme.

Services Modifications: Electrical, Plumbing and Gas

Equipment upgrades frequently require modification of the galley's utility supplies. A move from gas to induction cooking requires a significant increase in electrical supply capacity. Additional cold storage requires additional refrigeration circuits. New dishwashers may require modified drainage or water supply connections.

We specify all utility modifications required by the new equipment and coordinate their design and implementation with the yard's mechanical and electrical contractors. We provide a complete utility schedule — specifying supply voltages, amperage, water connections, drainage points and gas connections — so that the yard can price and programme utility modifications accurately before the vessel enters the yard.

Drydock Scheduling and Minimising Yard Time

The cost of drydock time means that galley refit planning must be focused on minimising the number of working days required in the yard. Our approach is to complete the maximum possible scope of preparation before the vessel arrives:

• All design and specification work completed and approved
• All equipment ordered, manufactured and stored at or near the yard
• All custom fabrication manufactured and inspected before the vessel arrives
• All specialist contractors identified, scheduled and briefed
• A detailed yard installation programme with day-by-day task allocation

When the vessel arrives at the yard, the galley refit can begin immediately — with no waiting for decisions, deliveries or drawings. This approach consistently reduces yard time by 20 to 35 percent compared to projects that begin procurement and design work after the vessel arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions: Superyacht Galley Refit