alan
Well-Known Member
Any 343 owners out there who can help, please?
I have posted the following post on a Beneteau owners website in America where there was a thread running in 2006 but as yet have had no replies:
"I know that this thread is a bit old, but am hoping that someone still has the details of the required Plexiglass (Acrylic) panel. I need to re-seal/replace the "skylight" on my 343 and would like to make a replacement from Plexiglass just in case I damage the old one when taking it out (I refuse to pay Beneteau's prices for a spare part!!!) and also because my panel (lens) is already a bit UV "crazed" in places.
I think the size is 144cm X 40cm X 10mm; with a 5mm rebate all around the edge and rounded corners ? My main question is whether these panels are pre-bent prior to installation (with heat) or whether the panel is flat and just bent into place whilst installing?? I have downloaded the Beneteau field instructions which somebody very kindly made available on this (American owners) forum."
This leaking "skylight" seems to be quite a common problem with the "3" series Beneteaus that are kept in the sun; and may not be so common with boats kept in the UK! Ideally I would like to make a new panel over the winter months and replace the old panel when the weather is a bit kinder.
Apparently these panels (Americans call them lenses) are quite prone to breaking when trying to remove them; the panel is held in place with only the appropriate Silkaflex sealant - that is there is no frame or screws. Plan "B" will be to remove the old panel, replace it with a temporary (thinner) acrylic panel, measure the old panel and order the appropriate size of sheet, then get to work with the router and fabricate a new one.
Beneteau supply replacement panels for around 1200 euros (ouch!!!); I can get a piece of Plexiglass for 85 euros and already have Silkaflex sealant and the appropriate primer for Plexiglass/GRP; and I have the time and inclination to do it myself.!! So, if anybody has already done this on a 343, then exact measurements for the Plexi and whether pre-bending is necessary (I think it would be best in any case), would be very useful information to enable me to fabricate a new panel over the winter.
Thanks in advance,
Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.
I have posted the following post on a Beneteau owners website in America where there was a thread running in 2006 but as yet have had no replies:
"I know that this thread is a bit old, but am hoping that someone still has the details of the required Plexiglass (Acrylic) panel. I need to re-seal/replace the "skylight" on my 343 and would like to make a replacement from Plexiglass just in case I damage the old one when taking it out (I refuse to pay Beneteau's prices for a spare part!!!) and also because my panel (lens) is already a bit UV "crazed" in places.
I think the size is 144cm X 40cm X 10mm; with a 5mm rebate all around the edge and rounded corners ? My main question is whether these panels are pre-bent prior to installation (with heat) or whether the panel is flat and just bent into place whilst installing?? I have downloaded the Beneteau field instructions which somebody very kindly made available on this (American owners) forum."
This leaking "skylight" seems to be quite a common problem with the "3" series Beneteaus that are kept in the sun; and may not be so common with boats kept in the UK! Ideally I would like to make a new panel over the winter months and replace the old panel when the weather is a bit kinder.
Apparently these panels (Americans call them lenses) are quite prone to breaking when trying to remove them; the panel is held in place with only the appropriate Silkaflex sealant - that is there is no frame or screws. Plan "B" will be to remove the old panel, replace it with a temporary (thinner) acrylic panel, measure the old panel and order the appropriate size of sheet, then get to work with the router and fabricate a new one.
Beneteau supply replacement panels for around 1200 euros (ouch!!!); I can get a piece of Plexiglass for 85 euros and already have Silkaflex sealant and the appropriate primer for Plexiglass/GRP; and I have the time and inclination to do it myself.!! So, if anybody has already done this on a 343, then exact measurements for the Plexi and whether pre-bending is necessary (I think it would be best in any case), would be very useful information to enable me to fabricate a new panel over the winter.
Thanks in advance,
Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.
