Beneteau 40 & 43

A place to exchange thoughts, ideas and discussions about the Beneteau/Oceanis 40 and 43 models.
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  • CAN DRAC

    Our freezer/fridge died two days ago (3 cabin version). Anyone know where all the related fuses are located??
  • Mike Brown

    Franc check the circuit board on the compressor for an automotive type fuse. Also Check and make sure the condensor coils are clean. If they're blocked the units will act like they died. You may have to take the grill covers off to get to them. Good luck.
    Mike
  • CAN DRAC

    Thanks Mike. Vitrifrigo America (excellent service!) helped us troubleshoot the problem over the phone and we were able to solve the issue. We accidentally damaged our thermostat so we are having it replaced.
  • Mike Brown

    Franc, glad to hear they're taking care of you. That's one of the nice things about Beneteaus, you can get spare parts any where. Enjoy your trip.
  • Michael Cioffi

    Franc- does mike know his stuff or what.
    Mikey- hats off
  • CAN DRAC

    Mike is the B43 guru! No wonder his is hull NUMBER 1!
  • Mike Brown

    Thanks guys.
  • Mike Brown

    Just a heads up. Saturday night we were set to anchor out at one of our favorite spots. I hit the down button on the windlass and nothing happened, just some clicking from the solenoid. Dropped the anchor by hand and went about troubleshooting the problem, which had escalated to a point where we only had 9V output from the house battery bank and all the DC devices were non functional. Beneteau now places a small but mighty fuse on the positive terminal post of the main house battery. It's part of the yacht council's standards for boat wiring. I found that I had 12.9V on the battery post but only 9V on the output of the fuse. I removed the fuse and found oxidation between the bottom and the battery post. Cleaned all the surfaces and now had a full 12.9V, a working windlass and full house power, especially the toilets. If need be I was going to remove the fuse for the weekend since it's a duplicate system anyway. I'll pick a rainy weekend and remove all the DC battery cables, then clean and treat them with a dialectric grease to prevent future oxidation. It pays to have a multimeter on board :)
  • Mike Brown

    While on vacation last week we made a 7 hr sail from Solomons to Saint Michaels MD. Winds were 15 to 20kts with 3-5ft seas with a short fetch. We were sustaining 8.6 kts through the water close hauled. When we were able to fall off to more of a beam reach we were seeing speeds in the 9.7 range. There was just a bit of weather helm but nothing excessive. Just more proof that these boats are absolutley amazing under sail. I still have the smile on my face. I have a short video of it and will try to post it.
  • Mike Brown

    Got the video posted.
  • Bruce Bogdanoff

    Does anyone have a detail wiring schematic for the AC circuits on a Ben 40. Thanks

  • Bruce Bogdanoff

    Thanks for the diagram, ogdrum. It helps. Why I wanted a AC circuit diagram is that I am going to install a 5.5kw generator and I want to make sure how to wire the generator into the ac circuits. I have two AC circuits, boat and and air conditioner. The boat AC circuit has an inveter in it that is not indicatedon your schematic. I want to confirm that the inverter/dock ac switch totaly isolates the dock current from the inverter with no possibility human failure to turn something on or off that will allow the two circuits to ineract with one another.   

  • Bruce Bogdanoff

    There is a mechanical lock that should separate the Inverter from the Dock AC curent. I am being overly cautious to make sure Beneteau actually did that with the mechanical switch. 

    Blue Sea makes a switch that has one input for the generator ac power and two outputs which I will use for the House AC and the Air Conditioning AC circuits. I want to be over cautious to make sure that the generator output can never interact with shore power.

  • alfred wheeler

    Am I correct that Beneteau constructs its hulls by joining two halves together.If so, seems vulnerable. Also I am a techno challenged new member. How do I send this to the forum members?

     Alfred Wheeler.

    Rio Jachal B-40

  • andy devy

    hi everybody and happy new year

  • Tyson Arnold

    If you're going to be in the Chesapeake area in late May/early June the Beneteau Renezvous is always a good time! Well worth the trip!!

    www.annapolisyachtsales.com/events/benetea-renezvous/

  • James Taylor

    Just returned from weekend on B43 with 2 140 watt Kyocera solar panels (above bimini, anthwartship) charging two 4d 200ah (each) agm batteries(pwm controller)). 

    This was our first outing with the panels installed. As we entered Bay we shutoff engines and sailed 3-4 hours using auto pilot from time to time. Energy hogging refrig, freezer, and chartplotter (e120 wide) were on entire time. Anchored boat, had guest arrive and used lots of interior lights (leds,) anchor light (led) windlass,flushes (two electric heads), electric winches etc. Numerous refrig/ freezer door openings during evening and into night. battery voltage at Linklite monitor never dropped below 12.4/5 volts (overnight and evening usage). Three hours partial sunshine in morning we were seeing battery with 13.3 voltage acceptance and above 92% charged. Definite improvement. Had there been totally sunny morning I am quite sure the batteries would have been topped off in 3-4 hours. I  think this will prove to be a very worthwhile improvement since we anchor and moor quite often.

    We will be at the Rendevous.

  • foster

    Hello James,

    Nice to have such good electricity input.

    Would you have some detail on the regulator and the connections from the panels to the batteries. (Size and length of the wires)

    thank you.

    Denis

  • James Taylor

    Hi Foster

    You have the nice arch!

    Used 10awg wire and distance from panel to controller is 7 ft; distance from controller to battery under rear bunk is six feet. We checked volatge using digital voltmeter at panels then at controller and had no discernible loss.Checked voltage at output on controller then at battery lead and there was no voltage drop.

    These panels are rated at 17.1 volts but I have had readings of 20.1 volts each. We used the morningstar ps30 pwm controller. If I did it again I would get a good mppt controller vs pwm but this controller is doing fine so far. Wired in parallel configuration.

    This configuration keeps our 2 4d agm's juiced. The beer is cold, batteries are full, captains happy!

  • James Taylor

    We installed a 15 amp inline fuse on each panel's positive line and 30 amp fuse on out bound positive line from controller to battery. That might be a bit of overkill on the fuses (panel  to controller fuses are not a requirement) but better safe than sorry.

    James

  • Rafa

    Living far from your boat has many problems, and one is that having something done takes a lot of time. Now I want to change the engine raw water seacock and need to order one, but I don't know its size and I won't be able to get to the boat in 3 or 4 weeks. If anyone nows or can measure it and let me know I would appreciate it.

    Saludos and nice sea!
  • James Taylor

    You did not tell us your boats model or engine designation. I checked the Beneteau USA site for the B43 and the  seacock for the b43 is listed like this below, I think that stands for

    Valve=valve

    2w= 2way

    1/4T= 1/4 turn

    1Brass nm= 1inch brass (not sure about nm)

    here is a photo;

    http://spareparts.beneteauusa.com/controleur.php?action=catasys/pho...

    cost USA $23.20

    VAlVE 2W 1/4T FF 1 BRASS NM

  • James Taylor

    Here is a link to Beneteau USA site with full diagram

    http://spareparts.beneteauusa.com/controleur.php?action=catasys/fra...

    This is for the yanmar 4jh4ae, 54hp engine

    If this is not your engine let me know I should be able to find your model and engine.

  • James Taylor

    looks like those links are not gonna work without an account. Sorry about that but you have the info.

  • Rafa

    Thanks for the info James!
    The link dosn't work as you say. I've set up an acount but "Oceanis 43 doesn't" exist, only Beneteau 43.

    By the way where I have to look at to see the hull number?

    Saludos.
  • James Taylor

    Rafa

    I checked and the Beneteau 43 is a Oceanis series boat in the US. The B43 on Beneteau site is the Beneteau 43 Oceanis series boat. Give them a call for further confirmation. I think the first year is 2008 and last year is 2011 for B43.

    All the Best!

    James

  • James Taylor

    They changed the site about a year ago and dropped the hull number entry for logging in.

    Their pricing is fair on some items and outrageous on others but overall I think Beneteau pricing is "good". Staff is very helpful and shipping is prompt. If you order the seacock from them you will get the original manufacturers part, good or bad!

  • Rafa

    James,

    I don't know the hull number of my B43, where can I find It?

    Saludos.
  • James Taylor

    I have no idea!

    Maybe you can call Beneteau with your manufacture's Identification Number and Beneteau can give you the hull number.

  • foster

    Hello Frank &Donna,

    Happy New Year and fair winds.

    Winter is a good time to install some in cabin items.Did you fit a Seagull fresh water filter from General Ecology ?

    I have a hard time finding the best spot to have the filter exchange easy.

    Any suggestions would be welcome;

    Thank you

    .Denis

  • Penny Blackmore

    Has anyone found a replacement externat speaker for an Oceanis 40?  Ours has fallen to bits!

    Roger

  • Luis Vieira de Sa

    Hello,

    I could not find the original ones. I bougth a pair of Navsound Speakers that could fit in the 11,5cm hole cutout but they started to "distort" just after 1 year of operation. Also they were not "loud" as the originals. So the first thing I have done as the season closed was to look for another pair. I was not able to get replaceable speakers since all that I founf needed a larger hole cutout. So I made a 12,5 cm hole and then I got a pair of 5 inches Boss Marine, They are not very expensive and sound good!

    Regards, Luis

  • John Hanrahan

    Hi Everyone,

    Just grabbed a mooring at Man-O-War in the Abaco.  Great sail in 30knt winds the boat stands up well.  I did notice when I went below that there is a foam backed plastic apron in the forward cabin that covers the screw nails of the hull deck joint.  It had fallen down and when I tried to push it back up the foam backing fell off in patches and it wouldn't stay.  Has anyone had this problem and more importantly, does anyone have  solution.  I tried double faced tape but it will not stick to the vinyl and is really not the answer.  It seems that Beneteau just pushed the vinyl up and hoped it would stay there.

    Any suggestions welcomed,

    Thanks,

    John

  • James Taylor

    Pretty quiet out there!

    Just replaced 7 year old agm batteries in our 08 B43. No complaints. The solar panels kept the batteries peaked. One of the 4d"s began to overheat as the charger tried to raise voltage to 14.3. Internal resistance due to sulfation I guess. Replaced all batteries with new agm's. Stevens Battery Wharehouse in Pasadena Md has great pricing on batteries Dekka 4d $339.95 vs WM $699 for same battery.

    Installed AIS receiver last year, love it! Overnight passages in Bay and Ocean much easier now that we know who to call and identify ourselves to.

    08 B43 is holding up pretty well, no real issues with boat.

  • sam

    James, I too have a 2008 B43, with Lifeline AGM's since new. So far they are performing fine.

    Agree totally on AIS usefulness. We spend much time transiting major shipping lanes with commercial tows. It is great to be able to specifically call them and agree on ,meeting and passing intentions.

    I just changed out the forward head thru-hulls and valves to address a slow and insidious water intrusion issue. I was finding water under the fwd head pan (not from shower, fresh water tanks, etc.). Seems to have addressed. All else seems to be holding up well at 7 years.

    Sam

    LONGHAWK. B43  hull #9

  • James Taylor

    We had to change out the macerator's Marelon seacock/thruhull in the forward head in 2013. Like yours, our's started leaking constantly. No issues with salon macerator thru hull. I've read where others having gotten 25 years of usage with the Marelon so I was really surprised our's failed after only 5 years.

  • Michael Cioffi

    Hey does anyone know if the bow thruster on a 2008 B40 is a  Max Power CT60 or CT 80.????

    thanks

  • Harry

    Michael,

    My 2008 B40 has the CT80.

  • zeehag

    to reduce yawing, use a bridle set up on bow and toss a bucket off stern.,,make sure the bitter end of bucket line is affixed to boat.
  • Frank & Donna

    I'm having a knocking from the boom while sailing. The track on top of the boom is loose, but it can't be tightened any further. Has anyone else had this problem, if so has anyone found a solution
  • Michael Boyle

    Hi Everyone,

    Help needed. I have a 43 launched July 2010. During this season the holding tank seacock on the saloon heads failed open. Irritating but liveable with in the English Channel. Boat now out of water and can’t identify the manufacturer or type number. Ancasta have consulted France but want nearly £300 for New one. Valve is right angle one with, not measured, 2inch 50mm fittings. 

    Has anyone replaced one if so do you know make and type number also how does it come off the through hull fitting. It looks as if there is threaded connector on the outlet side, normal hose and jubilee clips on inlet side.

    I’ve attached photo from member posted back in 2012. Mine is exactly the same.

    many thanks

    Michael Boyle, Barti Blue

  • Michael Boyle

    Sheath blocks on Z Spar Beneteau 43, 2010

    Hi,

    I’ve been thinking that sheath blocks with internal bearings might be useful on main and spinnaker.

    Anyone ever fitted them, are they available, do you think it will be worth it.

    michael, Barti Blue 

  • Robert & Sandy

    Hello all,

    Our 2010 Oceanis 43 recently underwent a 10 year rigging replacement. The boat was returned with the spinnaker halyard led through the stainless choker attached to the top of the torestay hounds fitting; we feel as a result of that the headsail furler has been very troublesome. and heavy to operate. Last weekend we ended up with a halyard wrap that stopped everything.

    The rigger feels that is the correct running of that halyard though to the best of our knowledge it formally ran directly from the mast top sheave clearing the top furler swivel.  Any wise owners out there who can provide the correct information?.

    Bilgolabands

  • Mike Brown

    Robert, we added the halyard after we purchased the boat primarily as a way to reach the mast top. When I asked to have it run directly to the top and not through the eye the service manager refused to do so. Apparently there was a concern that leading directly from the top of the mast would create excess pressure on the rigging. I hope this helps. 
    Mike

  • Brian Wanamaker

    Ste spinnaker halyard should be put back through the mast. Over the sheave inside the mast then out through the base. 

    I had a profurl furler. If you have the same there has to be a "Twist Stop" attached to the forestay near the top above the upper bearing.  It stops the furled sail halyard from twisting around the sail at the top.  It is about 4 in diameter, looks like a flying saucer with half of the outer edge cut out. Sounds like the rigger may have left it off.  Also if the jib halyard is to tight hte upper bearing will be "tilted" and may be the problem when furling the sail.  Hope this helps.https://jimmygreen.com/9205-thickbox_default/profurl-cruising-manual-reefing-system.jpg

  • Brian Wanamaker

    Over the sheave inside the mast then out through the mast about 6 feet from the mast base.

  • Chris

    This arrangement works for us:

    IMG_3947%20%28003%29.JPG

  • Robert & Sandy

    Thanks for all your comments my friends at Seaknots.

    The halyard has been rerun without passing through the small stainless steel eye, as seen easily in the pic provided by Chris on 17th August.

    All furling now takes place without any undue effort, only unfortunate thing is we had to pay the rigger to run the halyard correctly.

    Regards

    Bilgolabands

  • Mike Brown

    Robert glad to hear you go the problem solved.

    mike

  • Robert & Sandy

    DOLPHIN BATTERY CHARGER - 40 AMP

    Hi all,

    The Dolphin charger on my 2010 43 is still charging perfectly well EXCEPT the cooling fan is cycling on and off every 20 seconds.. There is a light on the centre top of the unit flashing red, does not look happy. Sadly I cannot locate the instruction manual which, knowing Beneteau undoubtedly came with the boat.

    Any help or clues, it seems as if the thermostat controlling the fan is out of order as the unit itself is not hot, not even warm.

    Regards,

    Bilgolabands (Liberte)