Oceanis 41 growing list of issues

[zoya]

B41 issues

Hello, I have a 2013 Oceanis 41 that was put in service November 2012. Because of the winter season (Chesapeake Bay), the boat has seen very little usage in the first few month but I am seeing a growing list of issues. Most of them minor.

- Simrad remote handset never worked (awaiting replacement)
- Bow Thruster solenoid failure (still awaiting replacement)
- Heat-pump condensation pump noisy (was replaced or repositioned)
- Bilge pump failure (awaiting replacement from Beneteau)
- Display for water tanks (I have an optional tank in fore cabin) is reversed from operating manual. Tank 1 showing as tank 2 and vice-versa
- floor panel over bilge pump stuck, takes a lots of efforts to lift up
- several cabinetry doors have loose latches or retaining string. Main problem is that screws used to secure those are too short and too small. There are also a few hinges that were installed with two screws instead of 3. Easy to fix but really annoying not to see more attention paid to this kind of things

Other than this, I love my boat.... Any other owners of B41 seeing this?

 

[Phil Herring]

FWIW, I don't think that's an unusual punch list for a new 40 footer. With the exception of the cabinet hinges, I think you're going to have a few glitches like that in anything hand made that's the complexity of your 41.

 

[CCHer]

I took delivery of a 2013 Oceanis 37 also in November, 2012. Biggest issue were a bad starting battery and failed isolator which were promptly taken care of by AYS South. A few minor items like loose screws holding the AC control panel and the Sirius antenna coax not plugged into the back of the radio I took care of myself. No problems at all with the Simrad electronics-have a dealer installed 3G radar. First multi day cruise coming up this weekend with 20 kt winds and 2-3 foot chop in the Bay predicted. Should be a good test beyond the day sails we had in the late fall and this spring. BTW, I was told that the Beneteau plant in Marion had a change in quality control management around the time my boat was getting built.

 

[Compromise]

I took ownership of my O41 August last year (hull 36). Outside of loose wires and screws, there wasn't many issues to deal with. The only one that is giving me a problem at the moment is the vacuflush toilet. I've had to replace the vacuum pump and have had some problems with the overboard macerator pump. The vacuum pump was replaced under warranty but I hope this doesn't become an ongoing issue. I'd hate to have to change out the system to an electric flush. Other than that and getting ribbed about sailing with my steaming lights on because they were wired wired with sailing lights, I have had no real problems. My wife and I bay sail regularly and are having a blast.

 

[cymeyer]

I know we can expect a few things to go wrong, but that list is way too long.
For a large purchase such as that, I would have expected the dealer to go over the boat issues more to make sure your list was shorter.
Very disappointing to see your list.

 

[Jackdaw]

Zoya,

How much of that was dealer installed?

 

[Omoishiroi]

I took delivery last June - have not had many issues. The door to the head my dealer installed a plastic plug type device on the end of the companionway handle. It puts just enough pressure to keep the head door open under sail. I can send you a picture if you like. Your bow thruster was likely dealer installed.
My vacuum head has worked perfectly but looking at the routing of the drainage line from the tank - I would have run it a little differently so the pump did not have to work so hard. My big issue is the compartment under the deck in front of the transom. I cant get it to drain anyone else seeing this?
Also i'd like to talk to the brainiac that installed the deck shower controls under the swim platform - great when down - impossible when up!

 

[Captain Ag]

My O41 (Hull #39) has the same issue with the bathroom door latch contacting the leather wrap on the stair handhold. Scratches the leather a bit. Need to wrap something nice around that area to protect it. Anyone found a solution?

 

[Omoishiroi]

bathroom door solution

My O41 (Hull #39) has the same issue with the bathroom door latch contacting the leather wrap on the stair handhold. Scratches the leather a bit. Need to wrap something nice around that area to protect it. Anyone found a solution?

My dealer wrapped sail tape around the bottom end of the companionway handhold. My door requires a small push (with latch open) to get past this 'knob' of tape. It works perfectly and keeps the door snug and open while sailing.

 

[zoya]

I took delivery last June - have not had many issues. The door to the head my dealer installed a plastic plug type device on the end of the companionway handle. It puts just enough pressure to keep the head door open under sail. I can send you a picture if you like. Your bow thruster was likely dealer installed.
My vacuum head has worked perfectly but looking at the routing of the drainage line from the tank - I would have run it a little differently so the pump did not have to work so hard. My big issue is the compartment under the deck in front of the transom. I cant get it to drain anyone else seeing this?
Also i'd like to talk to the brainiac that installed the deck shower controls under the swim platform - great when down - impossible when up!

Try using a hose nozzle with enough pressure to unplugged it. You probably have a few leaves or debris in there. That cleared it on my B41. That said, that drainage hole is neither big, not straight throughhull so, it will never drain fast.

 

[Omoishiroi]

thanks for the advice - I eventually got it clear by placing the nozzle of a power washer down there. Very easy to clog as it not a straight through hull as you say. Also in an odd spot - forward when I would expect it to be aft?
Regardless - our new clean up routine includes a blast of water through that scupper!