Beneteau Oceanis GRP problems

nickf said:
The Beneteau handbook (for the 393) under maintenence of your boat, states the following in relation to general hull maintenance:

"Do not wash with pressure machine using water warmer than 21 degrees C
Do not use pressure excess of 150 Bar. (2175 PSI) when using a high pressure spray wash.
Do not hold Nozzle closer than 10cms (4 inches) to surface of hull

We believe the above points to be pertinent to all GRP boats."
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Thanks for that, I'll dig out the manual for our 323 and check what it says.

In any case, the water definitely wasn't above 21 degrees (this was at Chi Marina a week ago not Marbella!), the washer is rated to only 120 bar and I'm confident I wasn't holding it too close. Thinking about the wording, it would seem that it might be an attempt at a ''get-out'' clause...cynical? Moi?:cool:
 
my boat is 44 years old and 4mm thick GRP. It has none of these issues and I'd imagine in the near half century she's seen worse than a pressure wash so there really is no excuse. Hopefully they will fix it, I rather like these boats so a supportive manufacturer would be nice to see to keep them going until I can afford one!
 
Update on the outcome of the issues with the holes in my decks.

What can I say - a fantastic response from Ancasta, the enquiry and subsequent repairs were dealt with promptly and professionally. The repairs were carried out over the course of five days and when the chap had finished, you really couldn't see that there had been any holes at all, even where the deck is ''pimpled''.

Beneteau accept that issues such as these are manufacturing faults in the layup process and as such their dealers simply make the repairs and recharge Beneteau. Indeed, issues such as this aren't covered by any warranty, they are dealt with as and when they occur.

So a HUGE well done and thanks to Beneteau and Ancasta for simply excellent service and a salutary lesson for me not to be so cynical in future:rolleyes:

Cheers,
Pete
 
If its any comfort I bought at the BMW end of the market and I still have two little examples of your problem - tiny areas where the csm underneath has not been pushed into the corner / the corner was designed too sharp and the result is a hole between the csm and the gelcoat. TBH I would have expected benny with much greater manufacturing technology not to have this sort of problem but it still isnt a major issue. Dont frighten yourself that you have a duff boat or a structural problem. You have the equivalent of a bit of bad paintwork on a new car. Something that can be dealt with easily..

P.S. This post is what you get when you read and reply to the very first post in a thread without reading the rest of them.
 
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ChiPete said:
Hi all,

Our Beneteau Oceanis 323 has just celebrated her 5th birthday. I was using a pressure washer to get the worst of winter off the decks and several areas of the deck simply came away under the jet. On inspection, the GRP appears not to be bonded to the layer beneath around the holes and indeed one hole has cracks radiating away from it that means a whole section of the deck may come away. There are also issues in the cockpit with an area on the corner of a seat that's come away in year 3 as well as a hole that's appeared in the companionway in year 2. She has a steel blue hull; I've been told that the blue has been applied very thinly and can expect over time that more white will be seen.

I had accepted the cockpit and companionway issues as wear and tear but now the deck has started to come up and together with the issues with the blueing, I do plan to take this issue up with Ancasta and Beneteau. Before I do I thought I'd see if this is a problem other Beneteau owners have experienced. Should I expect these types of problems with the boat as I've bought at the ''Ford'' rather than ''BMW'' end of the market or do I have perhaps a ''Friday Afternoon Job"? Having sailed on other Beneteaus up to 15 years old which were in excellent condition, I can't believe this is a problem that I have to accept.

Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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as stated poor lay up, contact Benny
the only place for a pressure washer on a boat is below the water line imho.they do more damage than good, they are too aggressive to sealants ect to any fittings.
ebay the device & buy a dremmel
 
As I read your reply Bosun I was thinking just what you put in your PS! Thanks anyway!

Sailorman, I do agree with you re the pressure washer. It's the first time I used it on deck and will be the last. The reason I used it in the first place was that MC had been on a berth in the marina near trees and for some reason last winter she turned completely green. The amount of whatever it is that comes off the trees that winter was incredible. Hence I used the machine. The good thing that came out of the whole exercise was that these holes came to light and they're now fixed. MC has now been moved to a new berth well away from any trees so I'm confident I won't have the same problems again.

Cheers,
Pete
 
ChiPete said:
As I read your reply Bosun I was thinking just what you put in your PS! Thanks anyway!

Sailorman, I do agree with you re the pressure washer. It's the first time I used it on deck and will be the last. The reason I used it in the first place was that MC had been on a berth in the marina near trees and for some reason last winter she turned completely green. The amount of whatever it is that comes off the trees that winter was incredible. Hence I used the machine. The good thing that came out of the whole exercise was that these holes came to light and they're now fixed. MC has now been moved to a new berth well away from any trees so I'm confident I won't have the same problems again.

Cheers,
Pete
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Well if they fix it every time, if you keep using the pressure washer (I do) you will eventually end up with a completely new deck.....
 
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