Hi folks, apologies for not keeping you up to speed, we had 2 days of
internet failure and we were rushing around trying to resolve our predicament. Here is the latest:
1. We do not want to take any shortcuts and have ordered a brand new
rudder from the
Beneteau factory (being built already according to the rep and will be delivered to us where our
boat is in about two weeks time). I really hope that proves true.
We have ordered the three bearings with the
rudder so that we are certain that we have the best and newest that
Beneteau can provide.
2. Beneteau rep has said these rudders can be fitted in the
water without hauling out and are providing a diver to do the job (our expense of course).
3. The rep asked there "experts" in Le Marin to have a look at the rudder post and give an opinion ... I was present at all times. They are of the opinion that sea
water ingressed over a period of 2,3 or 4 years, which compromised a section of resin and this is where and why it snapped/failed). They were adamant that this was not recent.
4. Beneteau have advised that this is in fact a rudder/post for a Beneteau
Cyclades (which is what I reckoned). They have said that the
Cyclades and the
Oceanis have identical rudders that are interchangeable. What they have conveniently not answered is my question as to whether it was at the factory that this particular rudder was fitted or whether it had been fitted to a Cyclades. It is important for me to know this because if it was not fitted by the factory to our
Oceanis, then one of the previous owners replaced the original rudder and surely that would only be done because of damage. The bottom line is that either way, one of the previous owners in all probability clipped something that caused a hairline crack or similar that could not be seen by the naked eye. This then deteriorated over time to the point where we were the happy recipients of rudder loss at sea
5. The local fishermen at Case-Pilote have been really good to us, providing us with free water for our
tanks as well as an
electrical plug in at no charge. The local
Volvo Penta dealer has kindly provided us with his
internet password so that we can get internet.
We have to admit that Beneteau (if they keep to their promised
delivery period), will be providing excellent support, for which we are grateful. We must hasten to add that we are also pleasantly surprised at the
price for the complete rudder/post and 3 bearings plus sleeves etc. "2800.00 odd Euros plus
delivery of about 1000.00 Euros (we are told by the rep but are waiting for the exact delivery figure).
Lastly (and I hope I haven't forgotten to share something), I have read through the previous posts and note that there are a few kind words said by some posters. For this we thank you and once again wish to extend our gratitude to all our fellow sailors, who have been very supportive and helpful. My apologies for not replying to each post because some posts deserve a direct response, however, hopefully you will understand that we are dog-tired with the running around etc etc. and we have a lot of catching up to do because of the days without internet.
We will keep everyone up to speed of any progress or developments.
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