400: Which modifications on a new 400 did you make ?

[meirriba]

An improvement I have added recently:
Safety handle on top of the aft/port edge of the bimini.
This is useful when you leave the helm station to port (not through the normal way through stairs on the right of the helmstation). When you go out of to the port side and turn back and down in direction of the stern, there is nothing to hold to antil you reach to last step - then you can get hold of a handle on the bimini stern post.
I found the additional handle very nice especially at night in rough seas.

[Garold]

Originally Posted by meirriba

Hi Garold
Can you explain or perhaps add a photo of the additional step at helm? I do not feel there is a problem there but might be missing something, so please add some info.
I am thinking where to put a TV screen, so a photo of the bracket you have addedd is interesting as well. I am thinking to put it above the port steps that lead to the port cabins (attached to the cupboard above the electric panel) but your solution may be better.
Thanks

I will take some photos either this wkend or next when i am on the boat and post them.

Cheers

Garold

[peterp]

Originally Posted by meirriba

An improvement I have added recently:
Safety handle on top of the aft/port edge of the bimini.
This is useful when you leave the helm station to port (not through the normal way through stairs on the right of the helmstation). When you go out of to the port side and turn back and down in direction of the stern, there is nothing to hold to antil you reach to last step - then you can get hold of a handle on the bimini stern post.
I found the additional handle very nice especially at night in rough seas.

Hello Meirriba, that is a spot that really requires a grab handle, well done, I really would like to fit the same, can you describe how you fitted it. Also I think I may have asked before but I am interested in details of your new smartvolt system, thanks in advance. Regards Peter

[timandchanel]

Thank you PeterP for the photo, you are too kind

[Garold]

Tv pics.

Hopefully.

On marina wifi.

G

[Garold]

Front step pics. Made so that your foot doesn't slip sideways.

Still on marina wifi.

So who knows?

Cheers

G

[Garold]

And for good measure a couple of pics of our canopy and 'doghouse'.

If this marina wifi doesn't crash any more.

And this is a real test. 6 pics.

Cheers

Garold

[peterp]

Originally Posted by Garold

Front step pics. Made so that your foot doesn't slip sideways.

Still on marina wifi.

So who knows?

Cheers

G

Hello Garold, just for the benifit of the thread I have attached a pic of my step, I did a series of pics of my other mods on our Lagoon 400 thread some time ago. Garold good job on yours much the same as mine, the main difference I added a long grab handle to the front of the mast, I made it long so I could easly grab it whilst standing on the deck with one foot on the step, then one can easly and safely pull one's self up, it is also great to hang on to at shoulder height whist standing on the coach roof swinging around the front of the mast from one side to the other, I do this on a regular basis packing the sail prior to entering the mooring area, both these mods have made operations much more conveniant and safer, the downside of my long handle is however on the odd occasion the knot tied to the clew of the jib can get caught in the long handle when I tack in a strong wind but it is easly freed, the benifit far outways that odd event. Meirriba has done a good job fitting a grab handle at the port steps it is just a natural position to have a grab handle just there. I hope Meirriba post a picture with description of how he had it fitted, I will have one fitted there in due course. Garold, looks like a neat job fitting the TV where you did, for us the factory fitted position works fine. I think of all the things Lagoon should have done was fit a step in front of the mast, I can not but wonder why a big Company would not in there final designe sign off not reaize that a step to climbe onto the coachhouse roof and a grab handle at the port steps, and of course a handle on both seaward sides of the steps make such a huge difference to safety and conveniance. I wonder if they ever read these threads and act to improve there products based on practical real world experience, probably not! As always just my thoughts. Regards Peter

[meirriba]

I will take pictures of the handle on the bimini on my next visit to the boat and post them.

[meirriba]

Picture attached

[meirriba]

At each base of the handle are 4 robust screws - the screws are not backed underneath of the bimini as the access is very complicated.
Anyway - the arrangement is strong enough to take on a weight of a grownup person.

[Garold]

Originally Posted by meirriba

Picture attached

Great idea.

I will consider the same.

Cheers

G

[Garold]

Peter

I like your handle on the mast.

I have considered the same but I am going to see if I can manage without it because I am a bit reluctant to drill the mast and want to avoid it if possible.

There are lots of cables etc that pass though the mast and I just know that if we drill the mast we will damage one of them.

As for your other comments about what Lagoon listen to for mods, I am sure that they are savvy enough to listen but they seem to only pick and choose based on necessity and cost before they change anything. I also believe that since they sell heavily I to the charter market, that is what drives their decision making so the private buyer effectively has to take a product designed for the charter market and make it fit for their purpose.

The advantage for us is that the charter volumes keep the price down for the rest of us.

Cheers

Garold

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by peterp

Hello Meirriba, that is a spot that really requires a grab handle, well done, I really would like to fit the same, can you describe how you fitted it. Also I think I may have asked before but I am interested in details of your new smartvolt system, thanks in advance. Regards Peter

Hi Peter
I have put some details in an answer to you on 06.02.12 above.
What would you like to know in addition?

[brainmaker]

Mark, Garold, Peter thanks for the many helpful comments. In particular Garold for the list at the beginning and the pictures. Seems Lagoon do need to make a good step under the mast ! G - or anyone else experienced with 400 - could you give some comments on the 400 - I hear rumours about "creaking when sailing". My 380 was really faultless, very stiff, but I keep hearing the 400 flexes a bit - is this true or nonsense ? Any other comments welcome. I heard a lot of gruntling remarks from friends about the non-painted bilges and that being a horrible job to do yourself ... hope factory takes note, you would expect them to read these free helpful suggestions here ;-)