carver 396 motor yacht review

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Feedback requested on Carver 346/366, 396, & 36SS

Discussion in ' Carver Yacht ' started by cdwenrick , Jul 11, 2013 .

cdwenrick New Member

I am currently looking to go from a "Sandy-ized" older 28' Carver Mariner to one of three Carvers, such as 346/366, 396, or possibly 36SS. Some issues/topics that come to mind: My criteria- 34-39', aft cabin or a roomy sport sedan like the 36 SS (which has the very high up lounge with wraparound seating), no older then 2000 but not newer then 2005 to keep the budget down, no typical express cruisers with enclosed cabins, low engine hours, and accessible engine/tranny. I will have it either on the South Jersey coast or on the northern Chesapeake. Any suggestions as to what to look for in any of these boats? I have looked some at Silvertons and Luhrs, but not Meridian (other then the 34 (and wasn't impressed) or Cruisers Inc-Any feedback on these or boats similiar to what I am looking for. My preference right now is the Carver 396 aft cabin (which I consider the best example of an aft cabin in this size that doesn't look like a box that floats). In fact I think it is one of the sharpest looking boats out there that has a very useful cabin that is not enclosed. 396- One I looked at, had 454s with only 310HP each-seems a little weak for this size boat and weight (almost 30000 lbs). Diesels put this size boat above my $ threshold for the most part and I don't plan on any long cruises to justify them 36SS- how does one get to the port engine let alone remove it, if need be, since it is under the galley and it doesn't look like the floor is removeable, let alone the galley above it. Since I had an older Mariner for 13 years that required a lot of maintenance (that I did) and included engine/V-drive/tranny/fuel tank R&R, I worry about these things. 366- One I looked at had a bow thruster that seems like a good idea since it is a sail boat like my old mariner. My question is; do these really help backing into a slip with a cross wind condition like we had in Cape May NJ much of the time. I have heard that when you really need them, they are not powerful enough. Finally- Suggestions for moving up from a 28' to these larger boats, especially to the 396 that we like the best? Any help would be greatly appreciated Cliff

NYCAP123 Senior Member

I used to run a 2002 444 which is basically the 396 with a cockpit. It's a very nice looking and spacious boat. Everything is very accessable. Those who like them love them. Ours was a bit of a lemon. I'm really hesitent to use that term when talking about boats, because I'm always waiting for what will break next on a boat. But by the second year I had to agree with the owner. She ran at about 12-14 knts. in any kind of sea and topped out about 19-20 kts. Heading into a 2' sea was a gut buster, and 4' will definitely get your attention from any direction. That's fairly standard with Carvers though. For the Chesapeake I'd say they're good boats.

SeaEric YF Historian

IMHO the best bang for the buck in that size range is a Silverton 392 aft cabin. All around I think its a more user friendly model (not as sexy) than the equivalent Carver. You have to decide if you're shopping for sizzle, or are you looking for steak.

NYCAP123 said: ↑ I used to run a 2002 444 which is basically the 396 with a cockpit. It's a very nice looking and spacious boat. Everything is very accessable. Those who like them love them. Ours was a bit of a lemon. I'm really hesitent to use that term when talking about boats, because I'm always waiting for what will break next on a boat. But by the second year I had to agree with the owner. She ran at about 12-14 knts. in any kind of sea and topped out about 19-20 kts. Heading into a 2' sea was a gut buster, and 4' will definitely get your attention from any direction. That's fairly standard with Carvers though. For the Chesapeake I'd say they're good boats. Click to expand...

SeaEric said: ↑ IMHO the best bang for the buck in that size range is a Silverton 392 aft cabin. All around I think its a more user friendly model (not as sexy) than the equivalent Carver. You have to decide if you're shopping for sizzle, or are you looking for steak. Click to expand...

cdwenrick said: ↑ Thanks for the feedback. Do you happen to know the deadrise on the 396/444? I know they are not blue water boats but 2' sea being a gut buster is a little discerning. What other boats would you or did you compare it with as I want to do due diligence in my research before buying, since for us, this is a big investment. Cliff Click to expand...

DanM New Member

396 We have a 2004 396 that we has been great boat for us. It's equipped with Volvo 496's rated at 375 hp and pushes the boat to a top end of 32.7 mph. A good cruise is between 18 and 21. The deadrise is 18 degrees and has mild prop pockets. We cruise Lake Michigan where the waves are typically between 1 and 4 feet but the periods and much shorter than the ocean so my comments will differ than for coastal cruisers. First, it is no Nordhavn but it is a very comfortable ride up to 3 foot chop. We don't choose to go out in much more but when we have been caught cutting across lake with the wind kicking it up to 4, 5, and the occasional 6 we slow down and do not get punished. The mechanical systems are for the most part easily accessible and Carver chooses quality product to install, I have the raised walkway across the stern which is really great for fixed docks. I would stay away from the 2000 and 2001 as they do not have the side hull doors which can make getting on and off from the side challenging. We have the ES version which comes with the dinette but a smaller forward stateroom. Also in 2005 Carver went to the molded aft deck bench seat. That creates greater usable deck space but they took away the Hawse pipes in the corners and we use those virtually everywhere we dock. A great family boat for us. Good luck with your decision. Dan

Thanks Dan for the feedback, We will probably be limited to the 2000/2001 with our budget limit. The Volvos sound like a better chose then the 7.4's/310HP that the one we had our eye on has. By the way where are the side doors on the later models? What other boats did you look at when you bought your 396 and what made you decide? Thanks again, Cliff

Cliff, The side doors are built into the hull just forward of the plexi wing doors on each side. I think late 2001 may have had them added as well. They make boarding from the side much easier. I am not sure what year the ES version came into play but you may want to check it out if the forward stateroom size is not critical. The ES salon is bigger with a different layout and you get a separate dinette. The rest of the boat is identical. We had a Carver 356 prior to the 396 and were very pleased with it so the decision to stay with the brand was simple. We had looked at the 466 which was so much more boat but money and leaving dockmates due to boat size restrictions that have watched our kids grow up ruled it out. My wife was/is very pleased with the 396 purchase. This was our first used boat so I anticipated issues even though I knew the previous owners and how they cared for it. The only major problems were a fried ECM on the Kohler Genny and a malfunctioning battery charger that cropped up soon after purchase. The boat is easy to work on mechanically with access hatches and covers to just about everything. My two dock mates have Silverton 352's which have served them very well so it comes down to what's the right mix of features, size, style, price, and inspected condition for you and the Admiral BTW I had those same 310 Mercs you mentioned on my 356 and they were great motors for me with no issues at all. If you want to discuss specific details let me know and we can hook up on a call or email. Dan

White Noise New Member

396 is the way to go Cliff, After looking for about three years and at almost of the boats you listed we purchased the 396. The layout and quality we found to be the best overall. Ours have the 454 gas as well and find they cruise great at 3600-3800 rpms, even in 2'-3's. with Silverton out of business and the issues they've had with there gas tanks I would steer clear. White Noise

396 feedback Thanks for the response. I did see a Silverton 392 and although from a pure functional perspective it might beat out the 396, it lost out on the exterior appeal and I was a concerned with the structure below decks (outdated wood framing and wood in the stringers). The Carver looked so much more structurally sound with a much cleaner layout below deck. Is Silverton fully out of business and what were the gas issues you mentioned? Alos, what was your response to the Meridians, Cruisers, or Searays (sedans, MYs, Aft Cabins, and and not any express cruisers). I also am waiting to see a Maxum 41/42 aft cabin, but don't know much about them. They do look a lot like the 396 from the outside. Thanks again, Cliff

Maxum is was the upgrade model for Bayliner. Decent boats on a par with Sea Ray. In fact when Brunswick took over Sea Ray the plan was to drop Maxum in favor of Sea Ray. DK where those plans are at today. I like Meridians, but they're too new to get a good idea how they do on the resale market. Everybody knows Sea Ray. Probably the best bang for the buck and easiest resale in the category. I don't like Cruisers. They look good, but they're often under powered, and their support network is bad.

MysticDolphin Member

NYCAP123 said: ↑ Maxum is was the upgrade model for Bayliner. Decent boats on a par with Sea Ray. In fact when Brunswick took over Sea Ray the plan was to drop Maxum in favor of Sea Ray. DK where those plans are at today. I like Meridians, but they're too new to get a good idea how they do on the resale market. Everybody knows Sea Ray. Probably the best bang for the buck and easiest resale in the category. I don't like Cruisers. They look good, but they're often under powered, and their support network is bad. Click to expand...

Meridian Yachts | Luxury Yachts | Sedans, Motoryachts & Pilothouse

ksbguy Member

I run a 444 and love the boat. Mine has volvo 370 diesels in it. Cruise is 16-18 knots depending on sea which is fine for me. The design, thought and quality of parts are excellent in my opinion for this class of boat. The room and layout is great. If you can spend a little more get the 444 instead of the 396. The boat is faster due to longer hull, looks better, offered only in diesel and the storage in the cockpit lazarette is very nice. As for gas I will never own a gas boat again, at least not in a larger boat. As for handling in rough water, I've had it in 3-4 many times on plane and never have a problem. In 5-6 the boat performs fine but when it's like that I'm running hull speed at 8 knots if I get stuck in it. This isn't a 60' viking designed for running on plane in seas of that size... A repo captain I met once told me he got stuck with one in 8-9 and at hull speed (8 knots) the boat handled it fine. You will want to quit way before the boat is in trouble... As for the comment above of 12 - 14 knots and boat handling bad in 3-4 I imagine there was something wrong with the mechanicals on that particular boat... Good luck with whatever you decide.

396 questions Thanks for the reply. The 396 is about all the boat we can afford or feel that we can handle (even after some training around the dock) since we are moving up from a Carver 28 Mariner. I would like to get one with the 370 HP diesels as that pushes it along nicely for less fuel then the gas engines, but so far they are priced above my threshold. Other... How does one get a limited Sea Trial without a survey to decide that you want to go ahead and pay for a survey that may uncover conditions or handling that are unacceptable. In other words, I want to find out as much as I can before commiting my money and effort for a survey. Also does one have to depoist the 10% before getting any kind of a sea trial? If you are dealing with a provate sale vs. a broker where does the deposit go for security to ensure you can get it back if you decide you don't want it? Thanks again, Cliff

cdwenrick said: ↑ Thanks for the reply. The 396 is about all the boat we can afford or feel that we can handle (even after some training around the dock) since we are moving up from a Carver 28 Mariner. I would like to get one with the 370 HP diesels as that pushes it along nicely for less fuel then the gas engines, but so far they are priced above my threshold. Other... How does one get a limited Sea Trial without a survey to decide that you want to go ahead and pay for a survey that may uncover conditions or handling that are unacceptable. In other words, I want to find out as much as I can before commiting my money and effort for a survey. Also does one have to depoist the 10% before getting any kind of a sea trial? If you are dealing with a provate sale vs. a broker where does the deposit go for security to ensure you can get it back if you decide you don't want it? Thanks again, Cliff Click to expand...

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