Latest trip and experiences

[sam]

Just finished a two week trip down the Texas coast. Thoroughly enjoyed the boat. Spent some time offshore in the Gulf and quite a bit of time in the ICW. Visited Galveston, Freeport, Matagorda, Port O'Conner. Port Aransas, Offat's Bayou, and Rockport.
All systems worked flawlessly with exception of the GPS. I am experiencing annoying "lost Fix" events sporadically. I am strongly considering going to an all chain rode, as I find I have to tail the nylon rode to ensure it bites and stays under tension. With an all chain rode I would not have to do this.I also am considering adding AIS receiver as it would help in sorting out the myriad towboats and radio conversations in congested areas.
The fridge and freezer were great, even in heat approaching 95 F. I am still experiencing the sweating in the bottle cabinet behind the fridge, so it looks like an additional breather / vent hole needs to be drilled.
I carried a 3.5 HP dink motor on the stern rail, and noticed significant flexing and a few gel crazings around the mounting area. This still needs to be addressed.
Great trip and a great boat.

[Michael Cioffi]

sounds like your having fun. i too have had some spider cracks at the stern rail mount. if you look under where its mounted you will notice that here is not much to hold. i think an addiional plate if it can fitt would do the trick
blue skies
Mike

[Mike Brown]

Sam, sounds like you had a great trip. How did you make out with your battery power. I know you upgraded and was wondering how it performed. I just ordered a Victron 600 single bank monitor today. With all the power requirements of the boat I felt it was a good idea to know how my batteries are doing. The voltmeter on the panel seems to show the load voltage. The low voltage alarm only goes off once your standing voltage drops below 11.7V. No way to tell how close you're getting prior to that happening though. One more reason for the Victron.

You mentioned the fridge and freezer worked well. Where do you keep the control set at? How often does the compressor run? Ours seems to run the majority of the time and we don't have it set at apx #3 pt on the dial. I've placed a thermometer in it to monitor temps.

I've also had the windlass problem where the rode slips if you don't keep tension on it. I'm also considering more or all chain to resolve the issue.

Let me know what you can about the above. I'm still in a learning mode and there aren't that many people to talk to about real life experience with the boat.

[sam]

Mke, I would appeciate pix of your Victron installation. I have researched and also am considering adding it. It looks simple to install. I have a Balmar alternator and external regulator to install (I did not get around to it yet-hopefully this weekend).
We run the freezer control essentially all the way on cold and it still cycles. Things stay frozen well in the main compartment, but not so well up on the small shelf in the freezer. The refrigerator control is set at approximately 70% of full cold. By the way, if you ever break the pins on the freezer compartment door in the refrigerator the door can be orderred for about 17 bucks.I bought a remote temp sensor at Radioshack several years ago and it woks fine. I keep the sensor on the fridge shelf and the wireless readout up on a shelf in the galley. Fridge runs around 35 to 40 degrees.The compressors both cycle, but do run a lot.I believe about 7 amps are indicated on the VDO panel when both are running.
I have communicated with Quick USA regarding the windlass tailing issue. They requested a video of the event. They also indicate that all chain may be the way to go. They indicate that 5/16" HT would be acceptable (even though it would require a gypsie chain. The 5/16 gypsie costs around $225.
Any flexure of your starboard stern rail near the center mount? I am raising this issue with Beneteau.
I also face continued backflow issues with both eectric head joker valves. I am now on thr third valve going to set number 4.

[Mike Brown]

Sam, thanks for the feedback. Our freezer keeps everything frozen and doesn't seem to cycle too often. We placed a wire rack in the bottom of it which I believe helps with air flow. The fridge seems to be an issue. We have it set at apx 3-4 and temps are in the 40 range but the compressor runs 75% of the time or greater. Seven amps seems to be the combined average for both. With two wet cell 4Ds this means I'll have to recharge them at least daily when on the hook. That's why I ordered the Victron. I plan on installing it in the area of the battery switches. While I'll have to stoop down to read it it will make the installation easier. No need to try and fish the leads over to the nav station. Once it's in I'll share pictures and any installation/performance comments.

As far as the windlass is concerned I'll probably go with more chain. Not sure if I'll do 100% chain or some combination of chain and rode. Chesapeake Bay is fairly shallow and in 9 yrs I haven't anchored in anything deeper than 15' but we would like to eventually extend our cruising up to New England or down the eastern seaboard and more chain may be practical. Not sure why Quick said you'd have to add a chain gypsie. What's different from what we have now? Mine runs the 25' of chain through it just fine. It's the rode that wont run unless there's tension on it.

No issues with the stern rail flexing but I don't mount my outboard on it. It's a 8hp and a bit heavy to be lifting on and off the dink so I leave it on for now. Eventually I'd like to add a lifting arm. Just not sure what style and if I'll combine it with a radar post, etc.

So far we're not having any joker valve issues. I make sure we run the empty bowl pump until any water splashes into the tank. This seems to work OK for now. Check with Jabsco about a new reinforced style joker valve designed to eliminate the problem. I heard about them from a guy but can't find anything on the web about them.

Other than the few problems mentioned above, which I believe are just idiosyncracies, we love the boat. She's an absolute thoroughbred and flat out flies, especially when trimmed properly.
Mike

[sam]

Agreed. Great boat.
I may have been unclear about the gypsie. I do not need to add one, just change the current one out.The gypsie works fine now on the chain. Inow have 3/8" HT chain (about 30 feet and then 250 FT of 5/8 " three strand nylon). If I go to an all chain rode, I am considering going down to 5/16" HT chain for weight savings (1.03 LB / FT VS 1.4 LB / FT). This would require me to change out the chain gypsie from the current 3/8" one to one that handles 5/16" chain.

[Mike Brown]

Sam, thanks for the clarification. Let me know what you end up doing as I'm still undecided.
Mike

[foster]

Hi ,

I installed a Mastervolt monitor with the new batteries and alternator. Do you have pictures of the Balmar ?

Denis
s/y HIBERNIA

[Alain Brauckmann]

If you are looking for an AIS, go for the raymarine with transponder. The price difference is not so high ...