Mike Brown's Comments

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.

Thanks, looking forward to putting through paces. Am having problems getting wheel locks--Beneteau stopped fitting them for some reason 6 months ago. Goiot make steering for French built am chasing them but like rest of France they are on holiday for August.
Michael

That refrigeration statement was actually for Sam in Texas. Could you forward it to him?

The photos are great! I sent copies to my family in Florida. Thanks. We have a couple small things. The head is a problem on a lot of these boats. We have the back fill problem some others mention but we are living with it til a solution is found. Those electric pumps cannot completely clear out the sanitary lines and the joker valve cannot hold the stuff back forever. It appears the stuff is pumped up to the top of the the tank and dropped into the tank? (Is this correct?)
Our monitor panel is out of sync. It shows our fuel tank as full when it is actually half full. Water measurements seem okay. Overall I think it is one heck of a boat ad we really enjoy ours. Will probably be going to Hampton this weekend. Winds are going to be out of N on Friday at 15kts(2-3ft seas) and of SW at 10-15 (2ft seas) Sunday. 40% chance of rain. Should be fun
James

Thanks
Thats a nice looking vessel(lol). Did you get the chain and have you had hard strat problems?

Ha Ha liked your Sailing / fire hose comment....seems true enough

Thanks Mike not at all...It all goes in a big plastic Keeper. The art is just leaning, and the pictures on bulkhead just a small nail..takes me 10 min or less...I put the keeper on the sole carpet and it stays put.

The refrige is screwed down....Micro and cook top goes in V berth...see kitchen in other photo at the end of my photos.

The boat was hardly used...engine too...thus the rebuild job i just had done.

im going to work on her today. i may have some de winterizing questions for you when i get back
thanks

Mikey
the last comment you sent me i think was for someone else. but i must say you do know you S@#t. LOL
im so new to sailing, dont mind if i bombbard you with questions.

Mikey Brown, i just viewed your slide show. very nice

Thanks Mike
im new to this so how do climb aboard 40/43???????