Waste tank cover panel removal on Beneteau 373

[helmfam]

I want to install a Ferriello waste tank monitor system on my 2007 Beneteau 373. For the life of me I cannot see how to remove the LARGE panel (not the small little hatch at eye level) that covers the waste tank.

I have googled this with no luck. Certainly no luck with Beneteau customer service which as we all know puts up a wall around its customers ("Contact your dealer" is their standard response on both telephone and email inquiries ). I see no external screws or screw covers to get at. I have looked at the Beneteau parts site with no clues from it on how it comes off, or even replacement parts for the panel or its fasteners.

I DO see, when looking inside the little hatch, that there are stainless clips that look like they hold the panel in place...one could reach the upper ones with some difficulty but ones lower down would be impossible to reach.

Am I missing something obvious? Thanks!!

 

[Joe2954]

My 343 has screws around edge covered with white plastic screw covers. Pop the covers off with a flatblade or pocket knife to access the heads.

 

[helmfam]

I see no such screws or screw covers on the panel of the 373. That would be easy to deal with and a logical way to access it.

 

[Joe2954]

Pictures of mine and page from beneteau parts site. Have you tried prying up from below and pulling out at top to see if they used slotted holes?
Else a mirror and light to examine brackets more closely.

 

[helmfam]

Thanks Joe. This is tough one for sure!! Wish my panel looked more like yours with something to get at. I looked at that page on the B parts site too. It gives one the false sense that there is a logicality to removing that panel. You can stick your head inside a little panel that does come off (not pictured on the parts page btw ! ) and view directly the clamps holding the panel in place along its edge. It would be at best a struggle to remove the uppers. Impossible to get to the lower ones. Would love to chat with the folks at corporate on this!!!

 

[helmfam]

Also, won't be back to my boat until 9/17 and I will look to see if prying up is an option. Thx!!

 

[helmfam]

Finally got my dealer to contact beneteau. Behind the panel there are brackets on the left side of the panel, about 4 of them. These are left alone. On the Right side behind the panel are about 6 screws. Stick your head inside the removable hatch and you can see them. Seeing them is easier than removing them. It will take some contortion to do remove them all. Finally, and unfortunately, at the top of the panel there is about 1/2" worth of grey caulk gluing the top of the panel into place. After cutting and cutting for about 45 minutes, by then dripping with sweat, I gave up. That said, in order to install my waste tank monitor I used a helper and stuck the aluminum sensor strips from the Ferriello kit in place on the tank without much difficulty. The monitor works like a charm BTW. Highly recommend this upgrade to anyone. Dennis Ferriello is a great guy to work with.