questions for 396 owners

[Mn car guy]

Hi everyone,

We've owned a 98 Mariner for 6 years and have really enjoyed it but it's beginning to be move up time. I'm looking at two 396s ( 2000 and 2001). The 2000 has the 8.1 and the 2001 has the 7.4. Both boats are well maintained fresh water low hour boats. My questions are thoughts on the two engine options. Are there any common issues to be aware of on these boats (we'll do a survey if we wind up deciding to buy). What do you like most/least about your boats?

Thanks in advance.

Doug

[buster53]

That is a lot of boat to be pushed around with gas engines. If you go gas, get the biggest ones you can find. I have 8.1's in my 356, putting out 385 hp ea. Very strong engine.

[Tireless]

I have a Carver 44 CMY and it has diesels, which is a 396 with a cockpit and it's heavier. I have typically seen the 396's with diesels, however they cost more to purchase than gas, even used. If you are going to go gas, I agree with buster53 and go bigger for the HP. I would have a look at the performance data for gas vs diesel in that boat. You want to make sure the 8.1's will give you the speeds and fuel consumption you're comfortable with. As far as the cost to operate, look at the difference between the cost of the gas powered boat vs the diesel. How much gas can you burn for the difference. Diesels are a lot more efficient than gas and have a lot more torque. Diesel would have a much better resale value as well. Just something to think about. Good luck with your purchase.

Greg

[Mn car guy]

Thanks guys. Diesels are rare up here on the river. While we boat a lot, we don't go terribly far and lots of times it's at hull speed. I'm also a half decent gas engine mechanic but would be lost on an oil burner. I'm used to the fuel burn of the incredibly efficient Mariner with 7.4s so I'm not to worried about fuel expense. If I was doing off shore or the loop, it would be a different story.

Are there any quirks to the 396 I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance.

[thatchh]

So did you end up buying one? I have a 2004 396 with 8.1's. It's thirsty, but runs well. If you bought one and have further questions, reply back and I'll try to answer some. I have discovered one quirk that might have been a non-starter if I had known about it when I bought the boat. Waves or wakes coming in toward the aft end while you are moored will make a big slapping or banging sound and shake the whole boat. It is very annoying in a windy or busy place. I am going to look into ways to mitigate it.

[vtcats]

So did you end up buying one? I have a 2004 396 with 8.1's. It's thirsty, but runs well. If you bought one and have further questions, reply back and I'll try to answer some. I have discovered one quirk that might have been a non-starter if I had known about it when I bought the boat. Waves or wakes coming in toward the aft end while you are moored will make a big slapping or banging sound and shake the whole boat. It is very annoying in a windy or busy place. I am going to look into ways to mitigate it.

I previously owned a 2003 396 with the same engines. Loved the boat and the engines ran great, but your comment about what I called “Thunder Hole” made me respond. It was the single most irritating thing on that boat. I had owned it for 13 years before selling and moving into a larger boat (that thankfully does NOT have that issue).
We went everywhere with the boat and it satisfied many things (2 separated sleeping cabins-kids up front, is in the back, and many more. But I didn’t anchor out very often given the pounding it would always take. Mostly from marina to marina and even then had to always think about exposure to waves.
Anyway, I did see another 396 that had a custom made David which held a wave runner and the back end was lowered in the water preventing the issue. But I don’t think it was designed for that and never pursued that avenue.

[km1125]

Is this underneath the swim platform? Did you consider sticking a cheap inflatable under there and blowing it up while at your berth or on the hook?

Seems like someone could fab up some type of fiberglass baffle or compartment that you could attach under there as a permanent solution.

[thatchh]

The inflatable is a good idea. I was hoping someone had already found a permanent solution that I could copy. I will post this question in a new post, just in case.
Thanks,
Thatch