New Beneteau owner's questions

[Syversens]

Hi all, we have just recently bought a 1999 beneteau 361 and have a few questions. We have sailing experience but not with a bigger boat with all the luxuries ) so here are the immediate questions we have that no manual so far has answered:- How do we turn on the microwave ?- How do we check the level of the holding tank ?- The manual says the handle for the manual bilge pump is in the LP holding lazarette but on our boat it's not there but I think we found a replacement however where is the pump itself ?- How do we heat up the hot water tank in the boat and where is it ?If anyone has experience with this or similar boat of 1999 we would greatly appreciate some assistance as we figure out the practicalities.

 

[Mike]

Beneteau 361

Congratulations on the 361, I'm certain you'll love it. We have an 02 and have enjoyed it very much. Check under the Nav Table for the AC breakers. Make sure they're all on. This should answer your questions on both the microwave and the water heater. The water heater is also plumbed through the engine so after motoring for a while you'll also have nice hot water. Keep in mind if your anchored out the tank is only 6 gals, you'll run out of hot water rather quickly.The holding tank is apx 20 gals and the only way to check it is to remove the panel behind the toilet. While it only takes a minute to do so it's still inconvenient. I haven't bothered to install a tank monitor yet. By now we have a pretty good idea how many days we can spend on board before it's time to empty it.The manual bilge pump handle should be inside the propane tank locker. If it's missing try ordering a new one from Beneteau's online parts system. You can link to it from their web site. The pump itself is located on the seat back between the propane and cockpit lockers. Lift the small plastic panel to see where the handle fits.If you have any other questions just post them here and I'll try to help out the best I can.

 

[Randall]

In addition...

..the hot water heater is under the sette on the starboard side, just in front of the head compartment. If you install a 5" snap in inspection port on the fiberglass cover over the holing tank near the 3/4 full mark, the tank level is easy to check. Mike's right about checking out the Beneteau web site. The people there have an active online parts department, but you can also get some excellent help just by calling them. By the way, the microwave is on the "outlets" circuit of your AC panel, while the hot water heater has it's own circuit.

 

[Syversens]

Great tips

Thanks for all the feedback on the posts, the previous owner never used the microwave so I'll have to try that out next time I'm on it. I'm so glad to see there are helpful owners out there, I know I'll have more questions when we get going for real. Many thanks to all that replied and thanks for a great forum.

 

[Syversens]

more hot water and microwave

thanks to Mike and Randall I found the waterheater and its not doing that very nicely, also bilgepump is tested and fully operational, the lavatory functions are identified and checked, thanks guys !however the microwave still show no sign of life. The previous owner never used it so little help, I tried to look behind it but it wasnt obvious where the power outlet circuitry is, any clues as to what needs to be plugged in for the microwave to work ? I know the circuitbreaker is set to on for the outlets....I also have another question on the heater, where do I fill the tank with more water ? I havent been able to find any external cap for it....any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Mike]

Microwave and water inlet

Not sure why the microwave isn't working. Our's is plugged in at the back of the box that holds the microwave. If you haven't done this already try pulling the microwave out and check the plug is inserted. If it is and still doesn't work try pluging it into a different outlet. If it now works then the outlet in the box is turned off. Try turning on all the AC breakers to see if perhaps it's wired to a different breaker. If it doesn't work then perhaps the microwave is faulty.As far as refilling the water tank there are two tanks and two separate fill caps. The rear tank is under the aft cabin berth and the fill is on the starboard aft corner right beside the toe rail. Do not confuse it with the diesel fuel fill which is on the transom in the same area. The other tank is under the forward berth and the deck fill is also on the starboard side but well forward on the deck. In between those two is the waste pumpout deck fitting. FYI all deck fittings are on the starboard side and well marked.There is a manifold under the starboard settee that has valves that must be turned to move from the forward tank to the aft tank or vice versa.

 

[Rick I]

GFI

My 393 has a GFI on each side of the boat. If one of these has tripped all the outlets on that side won't work. Check for a GFI on the side the microwave is on.Rick IB393http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/393 group

 

[Mike]

GFIs

I think there's only one GFI in 361s. It's in the head medicine cabinet.

 

[Syversens]

GFI fixed it

thanks to everyone who posted answers, got everything working now... the problem was the GFI had been triggered and had to be reset, once that happened it came on immediately. The outlet is very hidden behind (in our case anyways) box of cereal. no appliances were plugged in on the front so I dismissed it earlier but I guess its linked in the back somehow.thanks to all and great forum with great helpers !