Carver 404 / 396 ease of maintenance

[tomschauer]

My stairs do lift out for access to the starboard trans.

[MSC]

Thanks tomschauer, for the details on the 355/356. They have the same engine room as the 404 which I really like, but I do not think that I would want to try getting around the two diesel engines in those two models. I have noticed that the location of the generator must make life even more difficult.

Removing a heat exchanger to change a pump impeller will be starting to test my patience level, I think.

[buster53]

Source of the post Thanks tomschauer, for the details on the 355/356. They have the same engine room as the 404 which I really like, but I do not think that I would want to try getting around the two diesel engines in those two models. I have noticed that the location of the generator must make life even more difficult.

Removing a heat exchanger to change a pump impeller will be starting to test my patience level, I think.

Yes, a big, burly mechanic won't be able to squeeze into the engine room forward of the starboard engine, but someone a little smaller can. During our survey, we had to have the starboard impeller replaced and the mechanic crawled in and took care of it pretty quickly.
We have a young kid at our marina who does some service work and I'm sure he could easily get in there.

Me...ain't happening. I think I'm just a little too big, but more importantly, at 67, my body just doesn't bend like it used to.

[buster53]

Source of the post My stairs do lift out for access to the starboard trans.

Anything special you have to do to move them? I looked at mine and I couldn't see anyway to move them. Maybe I need to look harder.

[tomschauer]

There are four screws that hold the aft cabin stairs in place. You have to feel around in the carpet to find them. Once removed the stairs easily tilt back and lift out.
Not sure what engines you have. I have Merc 7.4's. There is exactly 10" between the heat exchanger and the bulkhead under the dinette to get down in front of the engine. I'm a little thick in the middle,(5'10' 185) but not much, no way I can fit.
If the genny wasn't mounted in the middle forward of the engines, I could get in from the side instead of above without removing the heat exchanger.

[buster53]

There are four screws that hold the aft cabin stairs in place. You have to feel around in the carpet to find them. Once removed the stairs easily tilt back and lift out.
Not sure what engines you have. I have Merc 7.4's. There is exactly 10" between the heat exchanger and the bulkhead under the dinette to get down in front of the engine. I'm a little thick in the middle,(5'10' 185) but not much, no way I can fit.
If the genny wasn't mounted in the middle forward of the engines, I could get in from the side instead of above without removing the heat exchanger.

Good to know. Thanks.

BTW, I have Crusader 8.1's, so maybe a different configuration from your Merc 7.4's.

[Viper]

Take a look behind the tranny opposite the stairs. If I remember correctly, when they're removable, you'll see some framing on the bulkhead otherwise it'll just look like one solid molded piece covered with insulation. Tom can confirm.