New Beneteau Oceanis Range - Push Button Latches

[martun]

In March 2008, I bought a new Oceanis 46. Generally the boat is pretty much what one would expect. However, almost none of the push button latches are working any more. It's impossible to sail with cupboards opening randomly when the boat heels or in wavy conditions. Does anyone else have the same problem? I opened the inside of the latches and found that there is a white grease like substance. Maybe it's not suitable to the temperatures in the Med and the substance looses it's viscosity and that's why not holding. If anyone has an insight, much appreciated.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by martun

inside of the latches and found that there is a white grease like substance. Maybe it's not suitable to the temperatures in the Med and the substance looses it's viscosity and that's why not holding. .

I wonder why there is a lubricant in the latches at all.
Ours are just a plastic disk and a spring.
Surely they wouldnt be going a more expensive path to the ultimate latch?

Could you post a photo of the cupboard latch please?
Also there doesnt seem to be others with your same problem on the internet.

What does Beneteau say?

The new 46 is one of our dream boats for when we grow up.


Mark

[Sailndive345]

My 46 has the latch style MarkJ mentioned. The only thing I have had to do has been to adjust the position of the latch on a couple of instances. I do have some metallic pushbutton latches for the engine compartment port and starboard access... They have never given me any trouble.

Layla is located at St Augustine, FL and it gets at least as hot as the Med - I think something else may be the problem(?)

On another topic Your boat name means star in Turkish - Are you located on the Turkish side of the Med?

Fair winds!

Sailndive

[bitman]

our 2008 oceanis 343 has the same problem... i tried to put some paper between it to keep it close. not the best solution i know.

[barnakiel]

And if you go for twice that expensive HR you will have a very similar problem will all inner locker latches. One owner I know travels with a bag of spares. Maybe this is what you will have to do too.

Wonder if they noticed this issue onboard Britannia.

b.

[grevay]

My husband and I have a 2008 beneteau 43 and like many, our pushbutton latches are no longer working. Has anyone found a better latch that can be installed?

[Reality Check]

My 2000 has had no problem with the latches and they get lots of use. I wonder if the different / colder location has something to do with it. I almost never have any condensation in the West Indies, you may in more Northern locations. Think I did see them or what I thought was the same latch at several boat supply stores in the islands.

[bitman]

it is a bit funny as there are now a couple 2008 boats with the same problems.

i wonder if it's a batch of faulty push button latches...

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by bitman

it is a bit funny as there are now a couple 2008 boats with the same problems.

i wonder if it's a batch of faulty push button latches...

What does Beneteau say about it?


Mark

[grevay]

We asked them for more replacements. Other than that, do you have any suggestions of how to approach them?

[Hud3]

What do they look like inside? Can one of you post a photo? Depending on what type they are, I may have a solution for you.

[grevay]

Originally Posted by Hud3

What do they look like inside? Can one of you post a photo? Depending on what type they are, I may have a solution for you.

It looks like this, but the knob is stainless steel.

[Hud3]

Thanks for the photo! That looks suspiciously like the latches that were installed in my boat.

The problem is they are "over-engineered" and contain parts that are unnecessary for the operation of the latch. The unneeded parts are two small cams. These cams tend to build up a bit of corrosion over time. It only takes a small amount of corrosion to roughen the surface and cause the cams to stop turning, which disables the latch.

The fix is to remove the cams. Here's how to do it:

• Remove the body of the latch from the locker.
• Carefully pop out the white plastic cover with a thin screwdriver blade.
• Remove the two cams and throw them away.
• Pop the cover back on.
• Reattach the latch to the door.

Let us know if this does the trick.

[grevay]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Thanks for the photo! That looks suspiciously like the latches that were installed in my boat.

The problem is they are "over-engineered" and contain parts that are unnecessary for the operation of the latch. The unneeded parts are two small cams. These cams tend to build up a bit of corrosion over time. It only takes a small amount of corrosion to roughen the surface and cause the cams to stop turning, which disables the latch.

The fix is to remove the cams. Here's how to do it:

• Remove the body of the latch from the locker.
• Carefully pop out the white plastic cover with a thin screwdriver blade.
• Remove the two cams and throw them away.
• Pop the cover back on.
• Reattach the latch to the door.

Let us know if this does the trick.

I will tell my husband and get back to you! Thanks so much! Fingers crossed!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Remove the two cams and throw them away.

Let us know if this does the trick.

If it does not do the trick:

• Put mask and snorkel on
• Jump overboard
• Look for Cams

Hope it works for you

Mark