396 Motor Yacht

[KyleR]

Keeping the rpms at 1050 I have been able to repeatedly reproduce 2.5mpg and 3gph results. This equates to about 8mph with no current and covers 5000ish miles traveled and 800ish engine hours. But don't forget to run the engines up and get some load on them each run to keep from getting carbon/oil buildup.

[Keysguy]

Thank you! that is much better than I thought

[Keysguy]

After some back and forth we have signed and placed a deposit on the boat. Next step is the survey. Hopefully it will go well.

[KyleR]

Congratulations! Keep us posted!!

[650Guy]

KeysGuy - welcome!!! I have had a 396 for 4 or 5 years now and its the best boat I've owned! Same engines, 6BTA are bulletproof engines! Here are some of the things I would look at:

• Aft Shower. Check for soft wood at the bottom under the glass door. I believe I did a string on my repair. I'll shoot it over if I can find it.
  
  Here is a chart I made for mine, seems to work pretty good. My speeds are a shed lower than book speeds but otherwise it works well. Let me know if you want the excel spreadsheet I used to make this and you can adjust it as you feel the need. Not sure I can share that kind of stuff via this forum.
  [image][/image]

[650Guy]

Here is the link to the aft shower issue I had.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5544#p42009

[Keysguy]

650 Guy,

Thank you very much! Lots of good information. I'll let the surveyor know to look at that area. the 8th is the day. BTW I grew up in Vermilion and graduated from HS there. For 4 years 1986-1990 worked for South Point Marine Towing out of Huron. Fall of 1990 I moved to Key West and I've been in the Lower Keys ever since.

[KyleR]

Nice! We just left the Keys a few weeks ago. We spent most of the winter there cruising all around after doing the "Florida Loop". We made it out as far as Boca Grande but could never get a weather window to make it to the Dry Tortugas....so that will have to wait until next year!

[Keysguy]

Unfortunately the survey did not go well and one hour into it we pulled the plug and are moving on. Our search will keep going until we find "the one" Thanks you everyone for your help and answering my questions! If you are ever in the Lower Keys feel free to reach out for cocktails.

[KyleR]

So sorry to hear! Any details you might want to share for the rest of us to be on the lookout for? Odds are if it breaks on one boat, it'll probably break on a similar one at some point!

I know that some of the issues others have posted on here have helped me "catch" several conditions on my boat that were a problem waiting to happen.

Good luck in your search!!