Pan Liner Construction - Repair Access

[delandtom]

We are considering purchasing a 1984 Idylle 13.5 and want to know more about its construction so we know what could be involved in maintaining/repairing it. We know that most Beneteaus use a pan liner and we are unfamiliar with this construction and how to access various systems that may need repair. We don’t know whether or to what extent the Idylle 13.5 has a liner and would like more information about this. Specifically, we hope to learn what could be involved in rewiring, or in rebedding chainplates, or in checking or repairing hull/deck joints or bulkheads, which may differ from a more traditional construction. We have downloaded the manual but the information in it is not specific enough. There are no boats of this model for sale in our area so we can't see it first hand. We want to get as much information as possible before paying for a flight to see it.

Any information a person with direct experience can provide would be appreciated.


Thanks

[PAR]

I'm not sure about your model, but most boats of that era will have some sort of liner. Liners can be a pain in the butt, but it's not that bad, just different. In most cases, the areas you might need to get at will be covered by the liner. What most do is cut an access hole. If you're neat about this, you can use the piece removed as a lid to the access point, just make a small flange on the back side of the liner. For some things, you can fit a deck plate, which cleans up the area nicely and provides access as required. Other areas may require a custom plate or touch of some sort.

Don't be afraid of a liner boat, the liner can hide a host of sins (and equipment) that you'd prefer not to look at. The liner can also be a place of extra storage too, so take advantage of this hollow between hull shell and molded interior accommodations. Lastly, some liners are bonded to the hull shell and serves as part of the hull's reinforcement. On other boats, the liner is just along for the ride. Again I'm not sure which is the case in your boat, but it's fairly easy to tell if you have to cut into one, usually by the weight of the liner's lay up.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by delandtom

We are considering purchasing a 1984 Idylle 13.5 and want to know more about its construction so we know what could be involved in maintaining/repairing it. We know that most Beneteaus use a pan liner and we are unfamiliar with this construction and how to access various systems that may need repair. We don’t know whether or to what extent the Idylle 13.5 has a liner and would like more information about this. Specifically, we hope to learn what could be involved in rewiring, or in rebedding chainplates, or in checking or repairing hull/deck joints or bulkheads, which may differ from a more traditional construction. We have downloaded the manual but the information in it is not specific enough. There are no boats of this model for sale in our area so we can't see it first hand. We want to get as much information as possible before paying for a flight to see it.

Any information a person with direct experience can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks

The construction of the hull of the mid '80's era Idylle line is very similar to that of the First 42, 435 and 456. There are essentially no systems obstructed and the liner performs a valuable and important structural function. Moreover, there is no issue with chainplates the design of which is entirely different than what is seen on other production yachts. There is an article on the construction of the First 42 in the August 2010 edition of Southwinds (see http://www.southwindssailing.com/pdf...august2010.pdf ).

FWIW...

[delandtom]

Wow! Perfect. Thank you to both of you. This is just the sort of information we were looking for. Since this is my first post, I am much encouraged about the usefulness of the forum.