Just picking up a new to me Beneteau 461

[BH1]

Any advice for a new Beneteau owner? Motor is a 4JH3-TE, where is the water impeller?

Boat is splashing this Friday after being on the hard for a year and I need to deliver it 200 nm to its new port.

 

[Gunni]

The impeller is buried under the starter on the port side. Check the primary fuel filter if the history is not known . Replace the engine mounted secondary fuel filter. Buy extra primary filters. You have a turbo and they pump more fuel. I would also run it for an hour in port and then change the oil / filter. Make sure the alternator belt is properly tensioned. Inspect the shaft seal and grease the bellows if it is the OEM Volvo seal. Isolate your starter battery, check resting voltage, then make sure it will independently start your engine. Isolate the house and do the same to roughly assess your house battery bank's ability to run your instruments and pilot. Test your windlass by dropping the anchor on the bottom and retrieving. Roll out your genoa and re-furl. Same with the main. Check your steering cables / chain for condition and play, grease them and the cable pulleys. Finally check all navigation lights for proper function. Carry a backup handheld GPS and VHF radio. Good luck!

 

[NYSail]

Yea...... what Gunni said!

 

[BH1]

Thanks for the great advice. I've ordered spares in anticipation since the broker could not confirm there were any on site. Batteries were my concern as well so I had the yard check them prior to going out for the sea trial this Friday.
Weather looks decent so I hope to sail most of the trip to our home port.

 

[kimelmore]

Congratulations on your new boat!

 

[Kings Gambit]

Make sure the bilge pump(s) are functional, and can actually pump water out. The (next-to-the) last time I tested mine there was a serious crack in the fitting to which the exit hose attached. The pump spewed more water into my face than out of the boat. If you have a cockpit-mounted manual bilge pump, know where the handle is and test it. I'd also inspect the hose clamps and hose sections connected to the thru-hulls; make sure the thru-hulls can be closed. If it were me, I'd also have tow insurance. If you are new to boating generally, you should review VHF hailing/distress protocol--which channels are used for what, etc. (DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON A CELL PHONE.) A working depth meter (fathometer) is a must. Have chart(s) of the area(s) you will travel and study them before you take off; specifically, locate secondary "abort" destination options, etc. Oh yeah--check the weather again b/f starting out; perhaps monitor it for at least two days b/f final departure day. Try out the mainsail reefing system during the sea trial. Use Windyty in addition to the NOAA forecasts, if you can. Finally--Nice Boat--enjoy.
https://www.windy.com/

 

[BH1]

Thanks for all of the advice. Boat is home after a 3 day delivery. One big issue occured just before our second port of call. The water lift muffler developed two holes. Looked like they blew out.
Any ideas what would cause that?

 

[BH1]

Here is the photo

 

[Gunni]

My guess would be improper winterization. I constantly hear boaters brag about how little AF they run through their raw water system...ignoring that the exhaust system has raw water sitting in it that requires AF.

 

[BH1]

You are not the only boater that suggested that. On my CS I run pure RV antifreeze until it comes out pink.

We ended up calling a friend up and he fiberglassed the muffler. Held great and got us home.