Antares 7.50 - what is this in the bilge?

[MGsailor]

Hi, I have been a long time sailor for 45years, who is considering moving to the “dark side” for my next few years with a boat.

I am currently looking at a Beneteau Antares 7.50 which seems to tick quite a few boxes. However I am puzzled by a patch of some kind in the (very clean) bilge, near the depth transponder. I don’t know what it is for and neither does the current owner. It seems to be made of that kind of slippery plastic used for some chopping boards.

I am new to power boats so would be grateful for any advice or suggestions about what it is!

 

[scottie]

Access panel ?

 

[sarabande]

I suppose it might be covering an indentation used in connection to the transducer, but perhaps there might be concerns that self tapping screws are being driven directly into a GRP panel. Perhaps to stow the spare cable in a previous instalation ? But I can't see why it might be part of the moulding..

Best to remove the screws and see what lurks beneath.

 

[Plum]

Hi, I have been a long time sailor for 45years, who is considering moving to the “dark side” for my next few years with a boat.

I am currently looking at a Beneteau Antares 7.50 which seems to tick quite a few boxes. However I am puzzled by a patch of some kind in the (very clean) bilge, near the depth transponder. I don’t know what it is for and neither does the current owner. It seems to be made of that kind of slippery plastic used for some chopping boards.
View attachment 148898
I am new to power boats so would be grateful for any advice or suggestions about what it is!

Based on my experience of a 760, the hull and the interior moulding have a void between them. The two mouldings are bonded togther wil lots of strips and dabs of resin filler creating a maze of voids. When installing a depth transducer a section of the inner moulding has to be cut away to expose the hull moulding. Often, when cutting the inner moulding a section of the resin filler is exposed which interferes with the transducer so another attemp has to be made close by. It could be that your plastic rectangle hides one or two failed attempts to expose the hull moulding.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[MGsailor]

Thanks Plum, I had not thought of that but it makes sense.