Larry, I received an email regarding your post for your 43. I ant find it anywhere on the website so think you sent the group a message rather than posting a new discussion. To add a new discussion click on the "add discussion" tab at the top of the B40/43 discussion board. Hope that helps.
At any rate I too have a 2008 B43 hull #001 and yes they're great boats. We bought ours new and have sailed her for 6 yrs and are now living on her and cruising full time. Heres my 2 cents on your questions.
1. We don't have the cockpit courtesy lights as they added them late. I believe that they're controlled by a remote control.
2. To access the port side engine panel you have to remove the slender panel between the fridge and port side panel. There's a small chrome ringed access hole at the bottom. Pull firmly to remove the panel. Once out you'll be able to remove the engine access panel.
3. Beneteau changed over to VDO DC panels with this and future lines. There are far fewer switches and as you've noted some devices are not switched at all. You're correct in needling to turn off the battery switches to cut power. If there's another way to do it I'm not aware of it.
BTW the DC voltage readings on the panel tend to be apx .3 Vdc lower than actual battery voltage. It's due to voltage drops from the wire run from battery to panel as well as some inherent losses in the panel itself. Beneteau had installed the battery to panel wire a size too small. My dealer upgraded ours but frankly I still see a difference. I installed a Victron battery monitor and use that to gauge battery performance.
To maximize fridge and freezer cooling keep the compressor coils clean and free of dust. You'll have to carefully peel the wood grates off to gain proper access. They're located on the front of the box below the oven. It's amazing how quickly dirt builds up on them so check on a regular basis.
The 43 sails best when you keep heeling angles to a max of 15 degrees. Flat is fast on these boats.
Congratulations and good luck. I'm sure you'll love her. Feel free to ask questions about her.
Mike
October Moon
Larry. The answer to the courtesy lights and the small orange light at the base of the U dinette by the water pump is that it is controlled by a remote FOB via Bluetooth. It is made by Aqua Signal and the receiver is in the main battery compartment against the forward wall. Aqua Signal model # NVWCT315TX.
James of B43 hull#19 here. Bruce and Mike have pretty much covered all the bases reference your boats systems.. We've owned our B43 since new and sailed it a bunch. Great boats, fast, comfortable,reliable, and well thought out. Hope you are able to find that remote fob for your cockpit lights. We take the remote with us when we know we'll return to boat after sunset . Since we board at transom from our dingy those lights really help illuminate the deck. Its a little black fob with ,I think, yellow buttons. Look around and see if you can find it. Good luck and you will love that boat.
To get into the engine, as you look at the fridge you will see a filler strip to the left which is against the access panel. There is a finger whole (top or bottom as I can't remember) - put your finger and pull - hard. It will pop out of the top/bottom clips and the panel can be released.
Mike Brown
At any rate I too have a 2008 B43 hull #001 and yes they're great boats. We bought ours new and have sailed her for 6 yrs and are now living on her and cruising full time. Heres my 2 cents on your questions.
1. We don't have the cockpit courtesy lights as they added them late. I believe that they're controlled by a remote control.
2. To access the port side engine panel you have to remove the slender panel between the fridge and port side panel. There's a small chrome ringed access hole at the bottom. Pull firmly to remove the panel. Once out you'll be able to remove the engine access panel.
3. Beneteau changed over to VDO DC panels with this and future lines. There are far fewer switches and as you've noted some devices are not switched at all. You're correct in needling to turn off the battery switches to cut power. If there's another way to do it I'm not aware of it.
BTW the DC voltage readings on the panel tend to be apx .3 Vdc lower than actual battery voltage. It's due to voltage drops from the wire run from battery to panel as well as some inherent losses in the panel itself. Beneteau had installed the battery to panel wire a size too small. My dealer upgraded ours but frankly I still see a difference. I installed a Victron battery monitor and use that to gauge battery performance.
To maximize fridge and freezer cooling keep the compressor coils clean and free of dust. You'll have to carefully peel the wood grates off to gain proper access. They're located on the front of the box below the oven. It's amazing how quickly dirt builds up on them so check on a regular basis.
The 43 sails best when you keep heeling angles to a max of 15 degrees. Flat is fast on these boats.
Congratulations and good luck. I'm sure you'll love her. Feel free to ask questions about her.
Mike
October Moon
Jan 16, 2015
Bruce Bogdanoff
Larry. The answer to the courtesy lights and the small orange light at the base of the U dinette by the water pump is that it is controlled by a remote FOB via Bluetooth. It is made by Aqua Signal and the receiver is in the main battery compartment against the forward wall. Aqua Signal model # NVWCT315TX.
http://www.go2marine.com/product/202293F/aqua-signal-wireless-elect...
Jan 16, 2015
James Taylor
Welcome Larry
James of B43 hull#19 here. Bruce and Mike have pretty much covered all the bases reference your boats systems.. We've owned our B43 since new and sailed it a bunch. Great boats, fast, comfortable,reliable, and well thought out. Hope you are able to find that remote fob for your cockpit lights. We take the remote with us when we know we'll return to boat after sunset . Since we board at transom from our dingy those lights really help illuminate the deck. Its a little black fob with ,I think, yellow buttons. Look around and see if you can find it. Good luck and you will love that boat.
Jan 16, 2015
Mark and Karen
Hi Larry
To get into the engine, as you look at the fridge you will see a filler strip to the left which is against the access panel. There is a finger whole (top or bottom as I can't remember) - put your finger and pull - hard. It will pop out of the top/bottom clips and the panel can be released.
Jan 16, 2015