Hi there
I think I may have found the solution to the problem. See the thread of the conversation I had with Beneteau technical services.
Dear Sir
Here are the answers of our Spare Parts Department.
Please for any other questions contact a Beneteau dealer
Thanks
Veronique
I assume that:
- PMMA is the glass window / porthole (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)) è Yes, PMMA is the glass window.
- Colle is “glue” è yes, colle is glue.
- Normount tape is something like this http://www.totalplastics.com/products/386 è under the blue tape, you have the adhesive normount.
- I assume “polyester” is the hull itself? è yes, polyester is the hull itself.
Second, the space between the window and the hull is very small. Do you need to removing the windows /porthole to do this è
if the window is not leaking, do not touch it.
If you have to remove the windows is there another solution? I am very reluctant to remove the windows as that is a big job and could create other issues.
Could we run a silicon bead around the window to seal in the glue? Would this work?
èYES, this would work. You have to clean the hull, degrease and dry the area where you will do the new seal. This new seal will be of course a silicone glue allowance. You put the silicone glue on the existing PU glue.
De : Paul Adams
Envoyé : jeudi 4 janvier 2018 20:21
À : Véronique MORNET
Objet : RE: technical question for Beneteau
Dear Veronique
Thank you for your email.
I wish to ask a few clarification questions.
I assume that:
- PMMA is the glass window / porthole (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate))
- Colle is “glue”
- Normount tape is something like this http://www.totalplastics.com/products/386
- I assume “polyester” is the hull itself?
Is this correct?
Second, the space between the window and the hull is very small. Do you need to removing the windows /porthole to do this?
If you have to remove the windows is there another solution? I am very reluctant to remove the windows as that is a big job and could create other issues.
Could we run a silicon bead around the window to seal in the glue? Would this work?
Kind Regards,
Paul Adams | Global CEO
From: Véronique MORNET
Sent: Friday, 5 January 2018 5:58 a.m.
To: Paul Adams
Subject: TR: technical question for Beneteau
De : Contact BENETEAUYACHTCLUB
Envoyé : jeudi 4 janvier 2018 17:41
Objet : TR: technical question for Beneteau
Dear Sir,
To what we can see from the pictures, there is no seal on the upper part of the window. In consequence, the black glue is exposed to the UV and the sea sprays.
So you need to put a seal and to polish again the hull.
For any other questions, please contact a BENETEAU dealer
Many thanks
Veronique
De : Paul Adams
Envoyé : lundi 18 décembre 2017 09:21
À : Contact BENETEAUYACHTCLUB
Objet : technical question for Beneteau
Hi there
I own a 423 (2006 vintage). She is lovely boat except for one problem - around the hull portholes over time she develops a nasty grey / black discoloration on the hull. This season I tried to deal with the issue on haul out by wet sanding the gel coat, then cut, then polish then 3 lawyers of wax. All to no avail. 6 weeks later see attached photos.
One possible thought I had is maybe it is the aluminium leaching out and running down the side of the hull? The dis-coloration will wipe off with some scrubbing and is easier with detergent but that removes the wax I painstakingly applied. In either case it still leaves a slight discoloration.
Any suggestion on causes so I can fix the problem? Any solutions on treating the symptoms other than soapy water which destroys my wax?
By the way can I suggest you have a better mechanism for resolving these technical issues than your dealer network? A boat is a huge investment and to have technical problems pushed back to the local dealer who may not have any idea about a problem that faces many different people or occurred on a boat that is older or pre-dates them is very frustrating.
I would very much appreciate a response to this problem as it is marring an otherwise lovely purchase.
Kind Regards,
Paul Adams | Global CEO
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