Mike Brown's Page

Hi Mike, Thanks for your keen insight. I managed to find the fuse (it had blown).  By the way, I used to have a 40 before I got married, then I got a 46 (Beneteau's last one they built).  Alot of the systems are similar to 40/43 and the group has alot of experience, like yourself, so the 40/43 group is still very relevant for me.

Cheers,

Pieter Wybro

Thanks Mike, however I have tightened both attachments and if you grab the track in the middle you can move it side to side making the noise. I took it apart, slid the track forward to add tape to both side of the boom, than careful slid the track back in place. Noise is gone for now but I'm sure the tape may wear away bringing back the looseness and noise. It appears the slot the track fits into has increased in width, causing this problem. I have emailed US Spars for help too.

Hi Mike,

Are you heading to the Bahamas?  I am in Green Turtle getting ready to launch and sailing to Riviera Beach to install solar and new batteries, then back to the Bahamas. Hope to catch up to you this year.

I am just changing my shaft seal before launch and thought I would change the cutlass bearing at the same time, it is pretty eaten a way but still not too much play.  I don't have an original Beneteau which is all rubber but I do have an Aqualube (same dimensions) but it is brass sleeve with rubber.  What do you think, it takes so long to get the part here from Beneteau.

John

Where are you these days/  I see not many using Seaknots much.

I think all are now on facebook

Have a great new years.

Mike many thanks for the comment.....it's funny it's fairly obvious now that you've mentioned it cheers Andy

Thanks for the feedback, what a great group to be part of! Love the activity of this group.

I have always wondered what the Aqua Sigma box was, but assumed it may be some sort of high water alarm - now I know it is a light switch! Hopefully I can find the FOB or get it replaced (or replace with a simple switch).

The boat is fairly well equipped for the cruising we do in Puget Sound and the BC coast, only major additions I have planned before summer are adding Solar Panels sown into the bimini (planning on 4 flexible Renogy 100W panels & Xantrex 40 charge controller) and a Flexofold prop.

 

Mike:Thanks. I am embarrassed to say that I thought the references to two "halves" meant that the forward half was glued, or otherwise attached, to  the aft half; hence my comment about vulnerability.

 Alfred Wheeler.

Hi Mike
The main sets well--Elvstrom sails--its the genoa that I have problems with when I have a some turns on. The track --I don't think--- go far enough forward to allow the reefed genoa to have equal tension on foot and leach. I had the car right forward on the track with about 6-8 turns on rollex (force 5-6 beating--it always seem the way in UK tide and wind against you when going home) and 2 reefs in main. Boat well balanced and would sail on course without touching helm but the genoa leach was dropping off even after tightening the leach rope. Broker seems to think that its the typical comprimise you get with a cruising boat. Am seeing the sail maker on Friday so will discuss with them.
Otherwise really pleased with perfromance.
Michael

Hi Mike
Have eventually solved the problem of wheel locks. Beneteau used to put two on, then went to one and about 6 months ago stopped all together--without telling brokers in UK. During that time my boat was delivered. After that they now have one on the port wheel as an optional extra. My dealer has agreed to fit locking wheel system--the port wheel spigot bearing was very sloppy so they were having to chnage that anyway---and has decided to have all their boats fitted with the wheel as part of the manufacture spec. Tides around UK fairly stong and any boat left with wheel loose would soon bear out all the rudder bearings as it flips one way or another.
Impressed with her so far--sails well, traveller play and outhaul essential to keeping power reasonable but having difficulty getting enough leach tension when headsail reefed. May look at a barber hauler system. Wife loves her which makes life wonderfull.