Installing rub rail on Beneteau 361

[suttonski]

Hi I have a Beneteau 361 year 2000 and would like to install a rub rail. I have checked on Beneteau spare parts site and found the rub rail that they install. I have contacted them to find out how it was done but did not get an answer back. I used to ask Ward Richardson at Beneteau but it seems that they don't want to help us anymore. I have seen a picture of a 361 with a rub rail just under to toe rail and would like to do the same.
Can anyone tell me please how to install, I am afraid of screwing the rub rail in the hull but maybe that is how it is done.
Thanks in advance for the help
Georges

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

This may be a start.

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/rub-rail-on-a-beneteau-423.150399/

 

[Gunni]

Georges;
Attached a photo of my installed rub rail, detailed in the thread Ralph links to. You will screw this rail to your hull, within a few inches of the toerail where the hull is strong. It works well, and keeps your topsides protected. Good luck mon ami!

 

[suttonski]

Thank you Ralph and Gunni this info will be very helpful. Very nice finish on your 411 Gunni, I wanted to change for a 423 but buying a sailboat is easy, selling one is more difficult. My wife take her out and bring her back to the slip and she was nervous about getting a longer sailboat. So I decided to keep my 361, installed a SS arch with a solar panel wind generator, new autopilot,new Balmar Alternator,.... I am preparing Out 'n About, our 361, for a trip to the Bahamas next winter. Will be leaving Lake Champlain and go down the Hudson River to New York. Sandy Hook to Cape May and after that I will probably use the ICW and cross to Bimini from Miami. Will stop at Annapolis for the Sail Boat Show. Still a lot of preparation work to be completed this spring, washdown system, macerator, HAM radio and maybe a watermaker.

By the way I find your 411 very nice, I love the color and finish.

 

[Syversens]

I'd be curious about your arch, I've been wanting that since I got the boat but we've had hesitations both on price, solution and look. Do you have some pictures of what your arch looks like and maybe some ball parking on price/installation?

Also is your new autopilot wheel driven or hydraulic? Mine drives like a drunk and I've thought about adding rudder sensor but last time I dug in back there I couldn't find mounting. I wish it was more accurate, maybe a new would be better, curious what you got since we have a 361 too.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Also is your new autopilot wheel driven or hydraulic? Mine drives like a drunk and I've thought about adding rudder sensor but last time I dug in back there I couldn't find mounting. I wish it was more accurate, maybe a new would be better, curious what you got since we have a 361 too.

Some years ago I changed from a wheelpilot (raymarine ST4000, the black unit) to a raymarine linear type 1 below deck autopilot. The below deck pilot is a completely different beast! Much much better than the wheelpilot, very fast and can drive the boat in all conditions I have met so far (of course thank God haven't yet been out on a gale).

 

[suttonski]

Hi Syversens, I got the arch custom made by a Produits Metaux DT, company that specializes in arches. (they ship everywhere and have big contract with cruiser builder in the US). They already had done one for a 361 so I checked the measurement to make sure they were the same. I removed the balcony (not sure if it is the right word) and the integrated it in the arch as you can see in the attached pictures. The arch comes in 2 sections that are easy to put together. With a friend and using the boom top lift to raise the arch it ook us about 6 hours; we started the installation at 8AM and the job was completed at 2PM. They provided all the hardware including the backing plates. Easy job and I can take more pictures if you want more info.

I also changed my autopilot from a Raymarine wheelpilot to the Evolution with electric linear drive type 1 with EV1, ACU200, P70. I will post pictures later showing the installation. The autopilot works fine when not interconnected to NMEA2000 backbone. I have a NMEA 2000 backbone with Garmin 7610xsv, GMI-20, GXM-52, Fusion Stereo, Actisense Engine Emulator, Actisense NMEA0183 to NMEA2000 for my Icom VHF. If I connect to the NMEA2000 backbone the Garmin weather antenna GXM-52 or the Fusion Stereo the autopilot works for 8 sec or 5 minutes or 10 minutes, not longer, and I get NO PILOT - DRIVE STOP. When I disconnect these devices the autopilot is OK. I even replaced all my Raymarine ST60 instruments for Raymarine i50 and i60 last spring when I installed the new chartplotter to avoid problem with old NMEA0183.

Solar panel is a DAY4 250watts and wind generator is a D400.
Plan was to be in the Bahamas this winter but was postpone because of the problems I had with the SeatalkNg and NMEA2000 compatibility. If the problem is not solved this spring I will replace Raymrine autopilot and install a Garmin Reactor using the same electric linear drive. We are planning to leave next September for the Bahamas.

If you need more info let me know.

 

[Gunni]

Georges;
PM me when you get near to Annapolis! We also plan to sail down to the Bahamas in the fall.

 

[Syversens]

That arch looks great! foldable arms too, I'll definitely contact them and get a price, it might be a bit over my budget though. So you replaced a lot of the existing railing? I couldn't tell if the base on the far aft is replacement for the existing pole or placed side by side.

Regarding autopilot (and way off original topic, my apologies) I'd be interested in your used Raymarine if you decide to switch. I wont have the NMEA problem as the little NMEA network I have left is 0183, most my navigation is PC based now. Any pictures of the linear drive install would be awesome too.

thanks!

 

[suttonski]

Hi Gunni, I will get in touch with you when I am near Annapolis. Looking forward to meet you. By the way, how did you screw the rub rail into the hull? I assume you have pre-drill the rub rail and then screw with some 3M caulking.
Hi Syversens, no I did not replace the railing, I took it off and they integrated the arch with the railing. The vertical sections at the far aft, where you lower the seat to gain access to the scoop, are the only vertical pieces that were kept. When I installed the arch these two vertical pieces went right back in the original holes and I bolted them in place with backing. The two section of 2'' SS that you see on the sides have special plates on top and backing plates underneath. I don't have detailed pictures but when I go back to the marina I will take more pictures and post them.
The folding arm is nice and when opened you can lock it in place to lift the outboard. I asked them to install a special railing on the starboard side to install a Edson outboard support. I choose starboard for the outboard because the 361 has a tendency to list to port. The arch also comes with special brackets that are used to lift the inflatable. I have installed 3:1 purchases to lift the dinghy, very easy, my wife can do it and it is a AB rib, about 130lbs. Again I will take some pictures.
Beneteau install the linear drive in the port lazarette, see the attached diagram. I choose to install it under the propane tank container because this is not a space that is frequently and it is difficult to access. I also installed a Webasto heater in that section, you can see it in IMG2. You will notice that I had a backing SS plate made and that the other side there is a solid piece of wood to distribute the linear drive push. The linear drive is bolted thru the SS plate, wood and supporting bracket. I bought the special bracket made by Beneteau that fit nicely under the quadrant. I also attached the dimension that I measured for the arch.
Metaux Produits DT, Alexandre Lahaie, 1-819-533-3222. around $7,000CND for the arch so maybe $5,000US depending on options.

 

[suttonski]

Forgot to mention, I need to modify my bow roller to install a second anchor. I only have one bow roller, anyone modified the bow roller for two anchors? I have a Delta 35lbs and a Rocna 35lbs, want to make the Rocna the primary and Delta the second anchor. I also have a Fortress. Insurance ask us to have 3 anchors.

 

[suttonski]

Oups, forgot to mention that I had to get the full enclosure modified to fit around the arch.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Suttonski you seem to have a very beautiful Ben 361!! I would love to see lots of pictures of your boat (if that's fine with you of course). Always willing for new ideas...

 

[Syversens]

Very nice, just so I understand, the autopilot is installed under propane tank in the picture, the black box is the heater right? I don't remember clearance between the propane tank bottom and the bulkhead but you still have tank there so it must fit right? So let me know if you are considering replacing it, I'd be interested, I might do this either way once I get a good idea of the pieces I need, either way works.

Thanks for great pictures, you are taking great care of your 361 and I'm not showing mine these pictures, she'll be embarrassed to sail with me )

 

[Gunni]

The rubrail location is a thickened spot on the topsides, attachment is mostly via the 3M 5200 adhesive, and the screws were selected to length so that they do not penetrate the hull laminate. Suggest solid-back SS strike, not hollow back. More expensive, and more durable.

 

[suttonski]

Thanks Gunni for the info.

Syverseens, yes the Webasto heater is the black and grey box on the side. The electric linear drive fut nicely under the propane box. It is attached to the quadrant with a bracket that I got from Beneteau. Qudrant is already pre drill for this piece, just need to install with bolts and nuts. Will try to find the part number for you.

In that space I have installed on the bulkhead, facing aft, a TriStar MPPT regulator for the solar panel, the wind generator regulator as well as the wind generator dump resistance.
Will take pictures of the modifucations I have done and post them.