Beneteau 285 (early 89) advice / help.

[OGITD]

I am posting this on behalf of a club member, and an owner of a Beneteau 285 with lifting keel and twin rudders.

This to request information on how to adjust the angle ( toe-in / toe-out) of the twin rudders and what is the correct setting / angle.

He (the owner) cannot have it too far out / wrong as in the right conditions it is a fly-machine with a seriously impressive turn of speed.

Thanking you for all advice / help with this.

OGITD’s

 

[PeteCooper]

Owners Club

Perhaps try the Beneteau Owners Club?
http://www.beneteau-owners-association.org.uk/index.htm

 

[OGITD]

Thanks.

Thanks Pete,

Had a look at this website but I didn’t think it was well presented, with very little information (bad format).
The Beneteau website isn’t much better, with limited details unless you are looking to buy something new.
For technical information they seem to pass the buck on to their dealerships / agents.
I see this as “Surrender Monkeys” doing the usual.

OGITD's

Off topic...but I do think this is good!

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225768

 

[Plevier]

I have the previous design, the First 29, and have found it very difficult to get any tech info. Beneteau just refer you to dealers who are only interested in one thing! I had to find out for myself how to remove the lifting keel blade. There's a trick if you need to do it!
No idea about rudder alignment I'm afraid but two suggestions:
1 I have been told that the designers, Groupe Finot, are much more helpful than Beneteau, unfortunately I can't find an email address on their website. There is a postal address and a phone number. Have you seen http://www.finot.com/general/index_ang.htm by the way, quite a bit of info.
2 Greenwichman on this forum has a 285 and seems pretty knowledgeable, you could try a PM. His local agent seems more helpful than mine too.

BTW I love the boat apart from having no propwash to steer with and I envy you the fractional rig, mine's masthead.

Top tip - watch out for the keel lifting jack unscrewing completely and parting company if it's an early one, it relies on Loctite! Heart stopping moment but you should be able to fiddle it together again!

 

[Plevier]

Sorry, that link only takes you to a general page, click on "alphabetic list" at bottom left.

 

[Billjratt]

Hi OGiTD, I obviously know the boat in question, and that it had a jam last season, so maybe that's altered the geometry.
I would give it just enough toe-in to be stable going ahead, and be prepared to wrestle a wee bit going astern.
If it didn't originally display this tendency, then maybe it was set up straight(parallel) and that would be the way to go.
Let's face it, when the boat's heeled, the non steering rudder is an elevator (well, almost)
So probably toe-in would try to lift the bow a fraction?
Ahh, too complicated. Ain't I glad I got an ornery boat.
Let's get a team on board and tweek it on the fly.

 

[Heckler]

Thanks Pete,

Had a look at this website but I didn’t think it was well presented, with very little information (bad format).
The Beneteau website isn’t much better, with limited details unless you are looking to buy something new.
For technical information they seem to pass the buck on to their dealerships / agents.
I see this as “Surrender Monkeys” doing the usual.

OGITD's

Off topic...but I do think this is good!

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225768

Always remember when you post slagging remarks about something that we live in a small world.
The BOA is run, FOC, by members, the website is maintained FOC by me!
It can be a pain at times BUT I do my bit!
There is loads of info on there, use the search facility on the forum! Its not rocket science, the forum is basically an Access database and every word is searchable. If you want to register to ask questions, just send an email with your details as per the instructions. I will endeavour to input your details correctly.
Stu
PS On the top of the forum page, there is a word, it says "Search" I clicked on it and put in "285",
This came up immediately http://www.beneteau-owners-associat...yprune=-1&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Submit
A good start, as I said, not rocket science"

 

[OGITD]

Just trying to help!

Hi Skipper Stu,
Firstly may I start by saying a big SORRY! for any offence taken or generated by any of my comments. This was never or will ever be my intention, as if I ever have to resort to such actions I will always do this on a face to face basis or behind closed doors if required…as is my MO to date.
But Stu…..me owd Water Rat / Shipwreck, maybe I should of never used the word “bad” with regards to the format, but I just didn’t and still don’t see an extensive database of technical information, considering the amount of Beneteau’s out there.
On your point of “a small world” I love the fact that the more you travel and communicate the smaller the world becomes with many connections and acquaintances. But on your point of “slagging” I think you must of lived an envious and privileged life to date, to be able to consider this anything close to a “slagging”. OK you have been shot at with an AK47……SO! I have been tactically prosecuted by a full Soviet task force for many days, and they were not on exercise.
As Willow3 of this Parish noted….”very difficult to get any tech info. Beneteau just refer you to dealers who are only interested in one thing!”….and these were also my own conclusions.
As I said Beneteau’s in the right conditions are fly-machines / a pleasure to watch with a seriously impressive turn of speed.
So lets not fall-out, and continue helping each other with all things Nautical.
Once again a “BIG SORRY” for any offence, and lets continue doing what we all do here……helping each other.

 

[Heckler]

Hi Skipper Stu,
Firstly may I start by saying a big SORRY! for any offence taken or generated by any of my comments. This was never or will ever be my intention, as if I ever have to resort to such actions I will always do this on a face to face basis or behind closed doors if required…as is my MO to date.
But Stu…..me owd Water Rat / Shipwreck, maybe I should of never used the word “bad” with regards to the format, but I just didn’t and still don’t see an extensive database of technical information, considering the amount of Beneteau’s out there.
On your point of “a small world” I love the fact that the more you travel and communicate the smaller the world becomes with many connections and acquaintances. But on your point of “slagging” I think you must of lived an envious and privileged life to date, to be able to consider this anything close to a “slagging”. OK you have been shot at with an AK47……SO! I have been tactically prosecuted by a full Soviet task force for many days, and they were not on exercise.
As Willow3 of this Parish noted….”very difficult to get any tech info. Beneteau just refer you to dealers who are only interested in one thing!”….and these were also my own conclusions.
As I said Beneteau’s in the right conditions are fly-machines / a pleasure to watch with a seriously impressive turn of speed.
So lets not fall-out, and continue helping each other with all things Nautical.
Once again a “BIG SORRY” for any offence, and lets continue doing what we all do here……helping each other.

Phew!! apology accepted!
As it happens I am working on a bigger and better site, hoping to put all the tech info in one spot, HOWEVER we will be making it more like the WOA, where one has to be a member to see all the techie info, more members = more dosh = more info.
I did try to put a techie spot where peeps could specific details of their boats BUT peeps dont seem to want to get involved. Short of moi going around physically measuring boats, it means that it will be v difficult to get the info.
Stu