Beneteau 375 Specifications

Retrofit Projects 1998-2000

Electronics & Navigation

Power & Energy Efficiency

Communications Systems

Acknowledgements

First Projects
The first major project that had to happen was to develop a system to raise our dinghy out of the water. We wanted to be able to deploy it quickly, and hoist it every evening for safety reasons. We designed and built a solid stainless steel stern arch completely replacing the stern pulpit. The arch would hold the dinghy and other equipment. We wanted it to be integral to the design of our Beneteau and the result was satisfactory. In the new design, we added two aft seats which provide horizontal stability and a fun place to perch when under sail. Our new arch is strong and holds our 10' Aqua Pro dinghy, Mercury 15 hp engine with block and tackle hoisting system, antennas, solar panels, wind generator, and spare anchors.

The next major challenge was to upgrade the power system in Limerence so we could run electronics, refrigeration, lights and small appliances. We built battery boxes and installed four 4-D Gel Cell batteries. We also added a Trace inverter, alternator, upgraded all the cables and wiring, added two solar panels, and a Four Winds generator. We have sat at anchor for three days running all systems before we finally had to start the engine to make hot water!

Navigation Station (before)

Navigation Station Upgrades
The navigation station needed attention next. After researching what systems met our needs, we built a navigation station below with two GPS units (global positioning system), an SGC SSB ham radio and tuner, a Pactor II modem, a VHF radio, CARD - collision avoidance radar detector, Simrad nav equipment, and an open array Furuno radar with the primary screen in the cockpit under the dodger, and a system repeater below at the nav station. This project took months of planning, pulling cable and tweaking systems, but the result was worth the effort.


Navigation Station (after) 

Additional Upgrades
Other upgrades included adding a 67 gallon fuel tank under the v-berth, rebuilding the anchor locker so 300' of chain drops nicely, a Spectra watermaker, an Adler Supercold Machine refrigeration, a VacuFlush toilet, a Force 10 two-burner stove, microwave, leather upholstered salon, textilene cockpit sun enclosure, full boat sun awning, and a hundred other small items. We also had all the standing and running rigging replaced. The original sails are still in good shape. We did add ProFurl jib furling and a 1.5 ounce cruising genneker sail. Despite the added weight of our "go slow" equipment, Limerence miraculously still sails lovely and makes her way gracefully through the Pacific.