hi Amalians.  Our galley countertops have cracked. This happened during our trip from Hawaii to Alaska. We do not know it was caused due to the difference in  temperature (20degrees celsius) we experienced in 2 days, or the heavy bashing on the waves when crossing a depression. We only noticed it in Kodiak. The original countertop thicknes is 7mm and perhaps just not strong enough.
Now what would be the best way to go?  The best result would be replacing by a solid surface material like Corian. I think this can only be mounted correctly by removing the wooden raised rims which cover the edge of the solid surface. Has anybody removed these wooden shaped rims without damaging ? 
An alternative would be to go for a refinishing by a layer of epoxy on top of the old countertop. yet would this offer the quality finish matching the interior ?? and not crack after some time on the old cracks underneath?   your advice will be welcome.
Jeroen &Jeanette Jeltes , now in Campbell River BC.

My guess would be the temps. I spent a week in seas over 20 feet beating with 40+ knot winds lowest winds we saw were in the high 20s no cracks anywhere we are number 10 one with the white-ish countertops may be there at cold and then, with too much pounding, they cracked best of luck. Cheers. 

Join the club. The existing coutertop is made from Corian. However Amel chose to make it too thin. Maybe for weight, I don’t know. When we were cleaning the freezer we put a few cold-accumulators from the freezer on the countertop. One big bang later the crack was a fact. I know of more A54s with cracked countertops, mostly the lids from the storage areas.
To repair is not a simple thing. The fiddles at the front of the countertop can not be removed without substantial damage to the fiddles.
I know of a A54 where they did replace the full countertop including the support plate under it because of water-ingress and rot (keeping the existing fiddles). It was replaced by 15mm Corian. That was a major investment.
The slats that are across the countertop are glued in place and can be removed carefully without damage. But then the fun starts. The Corian sits slightly under the fiddle and replacing takes a lot of patience and a router to make it fit. I decided to only replace the part wit the crack (left of the sink) as I also need to replace the sink. Pit-corrosion has ruined it. FYI: The sink is available from Barka S.R.L., Italy (part number LV 33.33.23.20 b/L ref. 01.31.60211).

Regards,
Arno Luijten
SV Luna
A54-121
Rotterdam

Please see: Last days at the marina – sailing4ever - Robin & Iris 

Hi J & J J,
Another alternative - in 2000 we replaced our original 1990's grouted tile countertops with 1/2" (13mm) Corian with integral Corian fiddles and a Corian deep sink. That thickness is pretty much stardard for Corian countertops in the US.  It is arguably a cleaner installation without the wood-to-counter joint.

The fiddle / face piece is about a 2" wide strip of the same 1/2" Corian that was routed and bonded to the countertop piece, taking the place of the wood trim strip. We also did the lid of the storage bin in Corian to be flush with the entire countertop. A 3" corian back splash around the sides and back finishes the installation.

Joel Potter liked what we did at the time, took pictures back to LaRochelle and that actually may have influenced Amel's switch to Corian (or at least that's my version :-)

Cheers, Craig Briggs - s/v Sangaris / 1992 SN68  Tropic Isle Harbor, FL