deck organizer removal on a Oceanis 35

[Sailor_D]

Hi there,
I'm having trouble with some of my lines getting jammed between the organizer sheaves and the deck and want upgrade the thing (currently it is Spinlock 50, double stack). Anyone has any idea how to access the nuts (if so fitted) below the deck? The organizer bolts are internal hex and easy to get to from the top, but I'm afraid just by taking them out I may loose the nuts.
Appreciate your help, Sailor_D.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Our 37 has sections of liner along the cabin roof that can be removed by unscrewing. If the 35 has the same, then one of the liner panels is probably covering the nuts.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Or there is a plate in the deck and the bolts just screw into it. Can you not remove the liner to see? If they'd put nuts below there should be a way to do that. Good luck.

 

[Sailor_D]

Our 37 has sections of liner along the cabin roof that can be removed by unscrewing. If the 35 has the same, then one of the liner panels is probably covering the nuts.

 

[Sailor_D]

I removed the liner on one side where the lights are located and the liner around mast, but none of those allowed access to the organizer nuts. For the rest it is just a large one piece liner which I don't think has to be removed to gain access. Wonder if there some way and remove the sliding cover of the companion way to get to it. But I'm puzzled for now.

Sailor_D

 

[Sailor_D]

Or there is a plate in the deck and the bolts just screw into it. Can you not remove the liner to see? If they'd put nuts below there should be a way to do that. Good luck.

A plate with tapped holes in there is an interesting idea and this could be the case because the area around the organizer is slightly raised, maybe 3/4 in. But here's the dilemma, I have to know for sure before I remove one of the bolts.

Sailor_D

 

[Jackdaw]

Or there is a plate in the deck and the bolts just screw into it.

Beneteau has NEVER done this.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nice to know, so he's gotta go find the nut from inside.

 

[DougM]

Worst case option would be to use a hole saw to drill through the cabin liner using a saw diameter that would allow the use of standard diameter hole plugs to cover the holes when done.
By pulling one of the sheave bolts, drill down with a small diameter bit to locate the center for the first hole through the headliner. Then go from there to the subsequent hole centers.
One problem would be that the hole locations for your chosen replacement would not line up.

 

[Sailor_D]

I have confirmation from the factory. There is an aluminum plate molded into the deck, which then accepts the bolts from the organizer. Since I'm using the old organizer, just modified, I should have no issue with the hole pattern.
Thanks to all for your comments - Sailor_D

 

[Jackdaw]

I have confirmation from the factory. There is an aluminum plate molded into the deck, which then accepts the bolts from the organizer. Since I'm using the old organizer, just modified, I should have no issue with the hole pattern.
Thanks to all for your comments - Sailor_D

That's amazing! And a first for Bene AFAICT. Good research and report. I was looking close at the picture of the 35 interior, and it was clear there was no access to the deck organizer. It seemed unlikely they would have left them (the nuts) blind under the liner, so I was going to suggest check if there indeed did a plate. Learn something new every day!

 

[Stu Jackson]

I have confirmation from the factory. There is an aluminum plate molded into the deck, which then accepts the bolts from the organizer. Since I'm using the old organizer, just modified, I should have no issue with the hole pattern.

Great news, good idea to go to the "horse's mouth."

When you reinstall the bolts use Lanocote or TefGel on the threads.

 

[Plitmanm]

So this may be a new thread but how does one install deck fittings such as organizers that were not installed originally? I assume there is no aluminum plate in the deck waiting for you to use. My boat does not have lines running aft to the cockpit but it is something I'd like to add.

 

[justsomeguy]

So this may be a new thread but how does one install deck fittings such as organizers that were not installed originally? I assume there is no aluminum plate in the deck waiting for you to use. My boat does not have lines running aft to the cockpit but it is something I'd like to add.

Well, first you decide on your hardware, buy it, determine best placement, then follow the manufacturer's recommendations for through-bolting to your deck.
It's a process that can be fraught with "analysis paralysis".

 

[JimLanter]

There is no metal plate under the location for the organizers on our Oceanis 31. Beneteau uses a product called a rivule. It is essentially a threaded rivet nut that is inserted into a hole in the deck and then compressed to anchor it in place. Unless you have the proper pneumatic setting tool, they are impossible to install. I know. I spent many hours and much money on tools trying.

I ended up drilling oversized holes in the raised portion of the deck on my Oceanis 31, inserted the rivules upside down so the flanged portion was under the deck in order to provide an anchor, and epoxied them in place. I used a machine screw coated in release wax and threaded into the rivules to keep the epoxy out of the threaded part. The screws were placed through a wood piece that was also waxed so that the wood could sit on the deck surface to get the rivules to the correct depth in the deck. The wood piece was drilled to match the organizer fastener spacing so that the rivules would be properly spaced. Once the epoxy set, the screws were removed, the wood piece was removed, and the organizer was bolted into the three rivules. So far, so good.

The raised areas for the organizers are hollow, and you can't access them from the cabin through the liner. Nor can you easily through bolt in those areas. I ended up doing what I did because the dealer that I bought the boat from new did not properly install the rivules when installing the spin gear, and my starboard side organizer pulled out of the deck.

If they have now added imbedded metal plates on the new models, then that is definitely a plus.

 

[Sailor_D]

Hi Jim,
wow, that's interesting and it's not unlikely that they use the same technique (rivules) on the 35. I think it will be prudent to double check the statement from the guy at the factory. What I will do is drill a small hole (1-2mm) into the raised area where the organizer sits and probe whether there's a plate underneath or not. With no plate there is a high risk that the rivules will come loose when removing the bolts from the organizer. BTW, I haven't started the job because I'm waiting for parts sent from the UK. But stay tuned, I'll let you know.
Thank you - very good and important feedback!

 

[JimLanter]

If they used rivules they will not come out. They are simply rivets with threads through the middle that serve as an anchor for the machine screws. If they used those you will see them when you remove the organizer and they will not come out unless you drill them out. If a plate is imbedded you will know that as well.

I cannot imagine that the would use inaccessible nuts to fasten the organizers. They have to make it so parts can be replaced in the event of breakage.

 

[Sailor_D]

Finally got around to do the job. Removed the organizer and put in the upgraded Spinlock TC50-3y version, which has a bottom plate and metal sheaves with tighter tolerances, and a smaller gap between the end piece and the outermost sheave (this is were the halyard jamming problem lies). To confirm, JI was right and there are threaded nuts or rivules embedded in the deck that will accept the bolts. One interesting note, it is a better fit to stacking a T50-3y on top of a TC50-3y, than stacking two TC50s. I torqued the bolts to 70in lbs and I'm 99% sure the problem is solved now. Wish Beneteau wouldn't have gone with the cheaper T50 organizer in the first place, but most people likely have in mast main furling with no need to take down the sail often. Thanks to the Spinlock guys and the Marion, SC factory who helped with this.

 

[alexandre72]

Hi everybody. Today I put myself a deck organizer on my oceanis 31. It was not easy. I got a lot information on Internet and i got the perfect nut and tool to install it. Someone need information or pictures? i am very happy with the results.