Beneteau, oceanis, first, yacht, owners, association

Rudder dimensions for a First 25, click here for pix, thanks to Mitch for these

Tune your headsails on a 311, click here

Second Hand Eberspacher diesel fired heaters.

Eberspachers for boats are expensive, in the region of £1200.00. However they also fit them in truck cabs and buses. The boat kits include external temp sensors. Be aware that there are several types, ranging from 1.9 kw output to 4 kw output.

I found a second hand 1.9 kw one for £200 from the www.pbo.co.uk forum. It had the wiring loom with it, a fuel delivery pump and a temperature controller rheostat along with various bits of hardware.

The fuel pump costs £140 new and the rest of the bits are similarly priced so it is important when buying that you make sure that the major components are with it. The stainless 1" exhaust hose is £32 a metre and the hot air ducting £12 a metre.

Tachograph Chester Limited
Rossfield Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire
CH65 3BS
Tel: 0151 355 2101

are a friendly source of genuine parts.

However I have sourced flexible SS exhaust that works fine for £15.00 a metre and aluminium ducting for £10.00 a metre although it is a bit flimsy.

ASAP are also a source for ducting and bulkhead fittings.

I fitted the unit on the inside of the transom on the 351, plenty of access to fit it but it was very traumatic cutting 62 mm holes thru the transom and bulkheads for the exhaust fitting and hot air ducting.

I was advised to fit a stand pipe in the fuel tank for the fuel supply because the specialist reckoned that tees were a recipe for air leaks. The good thing about the 351 is the plastic tank and all I did was remove the fuel level sensor to leave me with a 1.5" hole. I then used a tank cutter to cut a 3/4" hole as close to the sensor hole as was possible (bearing in mind the big "penny" washer that clamped the bits to the tank). I filled the cutter with grease and also greased my fingers, I then put my fingers in the big hole under the proposed hole and carefully drilled!!. The grease captured all the plastic swarf. I then had the fiddly job of introducing the stack pipe into the tank and wriggling the curved bit out of the new hole so that the fixing nut could be fitted. Thin nosed pliers and double jointed fingers helped.

If any one needs any more help and advice call Stu Davies on 01978 869384 or email computers@llangollen.co.uk

More Hints & Tips

Protect the anodising on your toe rail where you get on and off the boat with suitable sized split plastic rigging wire tubing clipped over the top edge.

Stop the wear on your guardrails where they pass through the stanchions with two and a half inch lengths of 10mm outside diameter split plastic rigging wire tubing. This is a nice fit in the holes through the stanchions. Hold in place with white self-amalgamating tape.

Re-varnish your floor. Degrease and then rub down with the grain or use fine abrasive paper on a random orbital sander. Then give three coats of Ronseal heavy duty clear gloss floor varnish. (Not the water based one) Apply with a small short haired varnish roller. Ignore the small bubbles as these disappear after a few minutes. You will be amazed at the finish, as good as any BMW. Also if applied in warm conditions you can have the job done in a day.

Do your Lewmar opening windows leak?

If so it is most likely that it is the grey horizontal plastic gasket in the frame. To check, cover the gasket with plastic insulating tape and hose down liberally. If this proves the point, pull out the gasket with a pin and a pair of pliers, mask the frame and surrounding area and fill with grey mastic.