Beneteau Oceanis 46 - bilge/grid questions

[athertop]

Hi folks,
I have been looking at a Beneteau Oceanis 46 (5th Gen, so 2005-2014 model), and have some questions that I would be grateful if any Beneteau owners or surveyors with experience of Oceanis models of this era can answer.

I was looking at the keel bolts, and see some rust which appears to be coming from under a few of the bolts - wondering if this is unusual, or if it points at possible grounding causing loss of sealing etc? I have attached a couple of pics of these bolts for reference. I also note some standing water in the keel sump:



My second question relates to the drainage channels/tunnels which are formed in the lower section of the bonded-in grid system flanges - these tunnels in my mind are supposed to be opened to allow the inside of the hollow grid structure to breathe , and allow any trapped water to escape, and also to allowing water to flow between separate bilge sections via these tunnels so it can reach the sump containing the bilge pump. In the Oceanis 46 I was inspecting however, I noted that smaller tubes had been bonded into the archway on each side of the grid section, forming a direct path for water to travel through each grid section - and in doing this, blocking the atmosphere (and any water escape from inside the grid structure into the bilge. I wondered if this was in-fact a part of the design, or whether these tubes have been retro-fitted on this particular boat. The bonding of these tubes looks a bit too rough and ready for my liking, and in my mind could not have come from the factory like this - what's more, they actually reduce the size of the passage and therefore would restrict water flow through the grid sections considerably, so I assume they were retro fitted (for some unknown reason). The person showing me the boat however, was trying to suggest that it came from the factory this way. Sadly I have not yet been able to check out another example Oceanis to compare this, so looking for anyone in here with knowledge of what the small tunnels in the lower flange of each grid section are supposed to look like. I'd be grateful for any comments. I must apologise as I didn't get a good photo of this - you can just see the arch I am referring to and the tube that is bonded inside this, linking each side of the grid section in this photo:

You will also note that the hull floor has been painted - I wonder what other Oceanis examples of this era might look like - is that supposed to just be gelcoat/flocoat, or is paint the norm - again looks a bit rough for a factory job.

Thanks folks, and best regards, athertop

 

[wully1]

Check as far up the hull as you can to see if there is a change in the flow coat- it’s probably been grounded with damage to the floors and not very neatly repaire.
A quality repair will be stronger than it left the factory - and some shocking shoddy work does leave the factories.

A good surveyor should spot if it’s been repaired- and properly carried out.

 

[athertop]

I just found a picture on an ancasta listing of the same bilge section of another Oceanis 46 and can see the same paint and the same tubes fitted through the grid section - this one looks a lot cleaner, but it does suggest that the paint might actually be from the factory after all.


I'm maybe thinking to take the next step and make an offer on the boat (subject to survey). The boat is generally in really nice condition and no 'DIY' fixes noted at all, so the boat is very clean - mostly original.

 

[Tranona]

The rust staining around the nuts and plates is not unusual, but is unlikely to come from leaking seawater, rather from persistent water in the bilge. This probably saline from leaks elsewhere for example from the seawater side of the engine mixed with freshwater leaks from either the domestic water system or leaks from windows and deck fittings.

From the structural integrity point of view, more important to look at the keel/hull joint for signs of any deterioration or patching as the only way water can get up the studs is through failed sealant at this point. If the boat has been grounded badly often this joint remains undamaged and the load is transferred to the grid and you will see signs of this breaking away or if repaired evidence of the repair. The damage may also extend to the lower part of bulkheads particularly at the aft end of the keel.

The finish does look rougher than one might expect for a production boat, although in that era it was generally not as good as recently following the move to structural bonding rather than manual GRP tabbing. It is quite possible the bulge has been painted either following repairs or to hide the sating from water in the bilge.

As suggested you really need a surveyor to investigate your concerns.