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Pathfinder
RO# 30649
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 Posted - May 08 2012 : 11:10:43
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Am considering a couple these. One has twin Yanmars and one has a single Cummins with bow thruster. I would be interested in any opinions regarding quality of the brand/model and thoughts on their seakeeping characteristics.
These are circa '03 model years so I'm guessing that the current state of affairs of the Luhrs group would not be a factor.
Thanx for any input.
Kim
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2001 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Cummins 8.3L Turbos |
Homeport: Colonial Beach, VA
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Woodsong
RO# 20095
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 11:22:35
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Overall, they are a very good boat for the money. They are typically well regarded and many do the loop every year in them. They are a "fast trawler," i.e. trawler looks but will still plane.Cabin is a bit smallish for the size but good wide sidedecks, easy access to everything, and absolutely great flybridge layout- probably the largest flybridge in it's class. Engine room is pretty good for access, etc.
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~~Let's see...1987 Bayliner 4588 & 1995 Boston Whaler 17' Dauntless, and a few other water toys~~
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Homeport: GA
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dancerscap
RO# 20150
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 11:56:35
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I have no dog in he fight, but there's 40 for sale by on eof the RO's on here. Search in the classifieds, gorgous boat, immaculate and very well found.
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Homeport: Hudson,Fl.
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Veg
RO# 20854
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 12:01:23
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I hear mostly good things about them, per Woodsong's post. However, since you mention "seakeeping", I'll mention that I have heard some complaints in regards to open water performance, particularly in following seas. One from an owner, and a couple times through general word of mouth. I'd make sure to try one out in open water so you can judge for yourself, if that is important to you.
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| 2001 Tiara 2900 Open - "O Sole Mio" - Stillwater, MN |
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Homeport: Stillwater, MN
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rduhon
RO# 29321
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 12:02:12
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My friend has one. It burns around 5 gph at 10 knots.
His has a single Cat engine in it, but don't remember the HP rating.
He had generator problems several times, but it was not an issue with Mainship.
He also had a leak that took forever to find. It leaked under the upper helm seat
and the water ran under the upper deck all the way back to the electrical panel
on the inside of the back door. He found water in the electrical panel after every
rain, so thought it was somewhere in rear of the upper deck.
He ended up re-sealing everything on the upper deck, till he found the leak, including
the hand rails.
It is easy to run from inside and on top. There is a door next to the lower helm for
single handling the boat. You can walk all the way around the outside too.
His was called the 350, before it changed to the 390.
He passed away recently and his daughter is putting it up for sale. She will probably
take under $100K for it.
He took the carpet out and installed wood flooring. The original owners had dogs and
he couldn't get that smell out till he removed the carpet.
He also installed a bimini top from front to back on the upper deck. It is covered
all the way to the back.
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Homeport: Lake Charles, La
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Veg
RO# 20854
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 Posted - May 08 2012 : 12:02:45
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quote:
Originally posted by dancerscap
I have no dog in he fight, but there's 40 for sale by on eof the RO's on here. Search in the classifieds, gorgous boat, immaculate and very well found.
True... That's a very different boat from the 390 Trawler, but definitely one I'd look at if I were in the market...
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| 2001 Tiara 2900 Open - "O Sole Mio" - Stillwater, MN |
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Homeport: Stillwater, MN
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Pathfinder
RO# 30649
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 13:52:08
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quote:
Originally posted by dancerscap
I have no dog in he fight, but there's 40 for sale by on eof the RO's on here. Search in the classifieds, gorgous boat, immaculate and very well found.
If you are referring to BillyIII's boat, that's an entirely different animal and the 8.1 Mercs would bankrupt me. ;-)
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2001 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Cummins 8.3L Turbos |
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Homeport: Colonial Beach, VA
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JeffN
RO# 3672
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 15:44:41
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Another one with a friend with one, 1999 I think. Woodsong Tony is right on -they love the boat and are prepping to loop someday.
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| When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy." They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. ~John Lennon |
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Homeport: Vero Beach FL
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ronlord
RO# 2010
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Posted - May 08 2012 : 20:05:53
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We own one, a 1997 model, hull #32. Not a fast boat by any means, we have the single CAT 3116. Cruise is 7-9 knots, WOT around 12. We aveerage around a 3 gph fuel burn and a bit over 2.5 mpg. We have had ours for 9 years now, 1800 hours on the engine without a single issue. No exterior teak, huge bridge and stairs up to the bridge are great features. Systems are all simple and easy to maintain and repair. Seakeeping is fair, following seas can push her around prety good, but this is not unique to the Mainship.
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Homeport: Buffalo, NY
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ranger42c
RO# 32710
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Posted - May 09 2012 : 07:34:08
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We shopped the 350/390 pretty hard several years ago... and even though we went with Plan C, they're still high on my list of pretty good boats.
We had a late '80s Mainship III (34) and even though that was a really good boat for us, the 350/390 series improved everything I ever noticed about how the 34 could be even better. Better Rope locker, stairs to the bridge, door to sidedeck, etc.
The comment about seakeeping in a following seas is not uncommon with trawlers. Yes, it can be an issue, especially if you're used to a faster boat, but we never really had any problems.
There was a water intrusion in some models (early?) having to do with the swim platform area. I don't remember details, but you can do a search on that...
We're it me, I'd choose the single diesel with bow thruster option.
-Chris
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Selby Bay, South River
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Homeport: Londontowne, MD
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caltexfla
RO# 14522
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Posted - May 09 2012 : 09:44:54
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I have a fair amount of experience with both flavors from back when we belonged to a charter club on the west coast, except the single was a Cat 3208. Obviously your best feed back is from current owners. We took the twin out to the Channel Islands from Oxnard and it handled moderate swells fine. The single with thruster would be the one I'd want to own, it is very maneuverable and really opens up the engine room. But you can't be in a hurry! We took the single out from Alameda, up to the Delta. It could get a very rocky in the SF Bay chop, but is hardly alone in that regard. The only thing I didn't like about the boat was the water slapping sound in the forward master and guest stateroom. We took to sleeping on the pull out couch in the salon, which was a nice set up especially at anchor. It really has a bunch of room for a 35-39 footer (not sure what drove the size ID, they were the same boat, maybe Mainship started to include the molded swim platform?), given the big flying bridge and decent aft porch. I did an over night trip with 5 people and a day trip with 7 and both were fun. I think they are good value, honest boats, but recommend a thorough sea trial and an evaluation of that hull slapping noise, which a lot of people don't mind but drove me nuts.
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Homeport: Wherever
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 09 2012 : 10:26:09
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quote:
Originally posted by dancerscap
I have no dog in he fight, but there's 40 for sale by on eof the RO's on here. Search in the classifieds, gorgous boat, immaculate and very well found.
The 350/390 boats are much nicer then my 40 Sedan Bridge (1993)that is for sale in the classified section. This is the type of boat I would like to eventually have.
I would prefer the single engine 390 with a bow thruster over the twin diesel version.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 09 2012 10:27:46 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Jon Martini
RO# 12427
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Posted - May 09 2012 : 14:01:21
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Great boats, I have a 1999 350/390 for sale with a 2009 Yanmar 315hp Diesel in her, loaded, located in new england area
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Homeport:
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Lucky Dog
RO# 30340
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 08:52:50
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Kim, I have owned my 98 350 for 6 years. It has twin 170 HP yanmars and no thruster. When I shopped for it I considered both twin and single models and just happened to worked the best deal on the twin model. So, I have no experience on the single models' handling characteristics. The twin model is quite maneuverable and I have none of the steering problems that single model owners complain about because the twin has 2 rudders the same size as the 1 rudder on the single model. The problem changing the starboard engine oil filter was eliminated by installing a remote oil filter kit. Changing the port engine impeller is not a pleasant job. I would imagine that replacing fuel tanks would become quite involved also.
I burn 3.75 to 5 gph at 2000 rpm going 8 to 10 MPH depending on wind and current. It will do 17 to 19 MPH depending on wind and current. It looks like a drunk in follow seas, but the auto pilot helps keep my sanity.
I have made up for Mainship's cost saving measures by adding a high water alarm and crash pump, a sea water washdown system, recaulked the add on swim platform box (couple of times), changed out stinking cheap toilet hose, added a house bank of batteries and inverter.
Now the bad stuff. Water intrusion everywhere. I have had to replace saturated balsa core on almost the entire top deck due to a poor sealing job on the mast, railing and table stanchions. The bench seats leaked into the cabin ceilng at the drain holes due to poor workmanship on the bench seat drain tubes being just caulked in tubes and not glassed in. Also had leaks into the ceiling from the screws in the bench cushion retaining board on each side. I have had to repair fiberglass damage due to water intrusion on the lower railing stanchions. The water got into the plywood, froze, expanded and created long, single hairline cracks in the fiberglass. The swim platform box always needs periodic checking and wet vacuuming out due to the inability to get it totally and permanently waterproofed. Evidently this is due to the flexing of the add on box, from what I am told. After all, it is just a box bolted on to the hull to hold the bow down. It takes a lot of force. O, and forget the trimtabs, they are of no use. What. So. Ever. Consider removing them and glassing over the area.
Now, would I buy another Mainship? While I love the size, layout, design, looks and value for the dollar, I kind of doubt it. I probably should of gotten a better qualified surveyor, that is my fault. But, how was I to know? Now that I think I have corrected the problems with boat, I feel good about it, I just am always looking over my shoulder. It was disappointing to have so much work done to repair the water damage. It pretty much canceled out the money I thought I saved on a Mainship.
With that being said, do not let my experience deter you from your Mainship purchase. Just buyer beware. Get the best surveyor you can find. Do not hired the surveyor the boat broker recommends. Watch for water intrusion problems, saturated core and problems at the swimplatform box.
YMMV, right? Good luck.
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Homeport: Louisville, Ky
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Veg
RO# 20854
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 10:10:37
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Lucky Dog - Wow, sounds tough but it's great that you've worked through it all and now you can just enjoy your boat :-) I had quite a few issues with my previous boat too, so I love hearing real owner stories, in fact I usually save them somewhere for future reference. It also makes me appreciate the boat I have instead of daydreaming of bigger and better ones... You just realize that sometimes it's just better to keep the one you have if it doesn't give you any trouble!
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| 2001 Tiara 2900 Open - "O Sole Mio" - Stillwater, MN |
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Homeport: Stillwater, MN
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Capt. Bill1
RO# 2017
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 12:33:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Lucky Dog
Kim, I have owned my 98 350 for 6 years.
>snip<
Nicely done. It's refreshing to get an honest review of a boat by it's owner.
Most owners, quite naturaly, tend to gloss over any deficiencies in their choice of a vessel. That coupled with this, like many other, sites prohibition on "bashing" of some ones brand or type of boat leads to people withholding the kind of information that may be useful to other people considering purchasing that brand or type of vessel.
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The two most common elements on Earth are oxygen and stupidity.
Great, now take it to NBR. |
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Homeport: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
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caltexfla
RO# 14522
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 13:10:20
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Interesting, Luck Dog. The boats I am familiar with were 2001 models, perhaps that explains the change in model to 390. It would be important to find out if that included addressing the issues you note; they weren't readily in evidence on the boats I ran, but then again, they were charters, and not my boats so not subject quite as intense scrutiny. I haven't come across any particularly unhappy owners of post-2000 boats and we met a bunch when cruising; still a small sample though. A good surveyor with some familiarity with these would be a great asset. With the possible demise of Luhrs group, owner of the Mainship brand, I'd be a little concerned about factory support, if any. You'd want to track down the people who used to work there for some institutional knowledge, they tend to re-emerge somewhere. For instance, One of the project managers at Thunderbolt Marine (big yard) in Savannah, Phillip Howe used to work for Mainship. I'm not sure he is still there but if I was looking at one of these boats I'd try to track him down. Great guy and a straight shooter.
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Homeport: Wherever
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ronlord
RO# 2010
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 14:09:53
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Our 1997 350 was one of the first produced and we have had no issues with water intrusion anywhere on the boat. There is a pretty active Yahoo group for Mainship owners, if this was a prevalent problem I am sure many would have chimed in over there. The 350/390 was the most popular boat ever built by Mainship, with over 500 sold from 1997-2004.
Sorry to hear about the issues you have had with your boat, Lucky.
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Homeport: Buffalo, NY
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HarlenW
RO# 25699
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Billylll
RO# 24494
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 14:44:35
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I belong to the Mainship group on Yahoo, it is a great resource. There is also an extensive photo album of many of the members Mainships of all vintages and models along with modifications.
Bill
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WirelessOne,
40 Mainship
Sedan Bridge
Little Egg, N.J. |
Edited by - Billylll on May 10 2012 15:20:14 |
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Homeport: Tuckerton, N.J.
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Pathfinder
RO# 30649
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Posted - May 10 2012 : 21:56:26
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Thanks to all of you. The ROs on BoaterEd continue to be an amazing source of knowledge on damn near everything "Boat."
My current debate (with myself) is the trade offs of single screw vs. twin. The economy of the single and more room in the holy place vs. the manuverability of twins (not withstanding a thruster)and higher top end to run for cover in our pop-up thunderstorms.
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2001 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge
Cummins 8.3L Turbos |
Edited by - Pathfinder on May 10 2012 21:57:26 |
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Homeport: Colonial Beach, VA
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Opinions/experience on 390 Mainship trawlers
