Carver Owners Forum

Hey All;

So I'm at the dock and find out the 2003 396 by me is going up for sale. She is a beautiful boat and the owners really love her. I'm considering buying her but have a few questions.

1) She is Cummings powered with a Dingy lift on the back but no thrusters of any kind. I'm currently a 350 Mariner guy and can maneuver her pretty well, but worry with the freeboard of the 396, will I be regretting NOT having a bow thruster? The guy that owns it now assures me its not an issue at all, but he also has owned her for 10 years.

2) what kind of cruising speeds can I expect out of her? My Mariner is a 15-17 kts boat on Lake Erie (Ya, I baby my engines, I'm not a WOT kinda guy). With those diesels should I expect to get more out of her?

Love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this esp from you 396 owners!

Also if anyone wants a 350 Mariner in the Great Lakes, I may know of one for sale soon!!

You can always add a bow thruster if you think you're going to need one. They are not really that expensive (relative to the cost of the boat!) and could be added in the off-season once you make that choice.

Lots of boats do NOT have thrusters and virtually none did until the last 10-15 years. Folks got used to their handling. Diesels will handle better than gas at idle speeds because you're pushing a lot of water with bigger props

I don't know the specs on the 396, but I would expect a cruise speed of over 20 kts (guessing 24ish) but you could go less if you want to 'baby' her too.

Thanks! Thats great info! This is obviously a big jump for me from my Mariner to the aft cabin style boat. Sooo looking forward to the room! I know I would get used to the wind catching the boat... its just my laziness of just pushing a joystick to slide over that is driving that.

OH, also this boat does NOT have digital controls on the throttles, so its the old cable style... anyone know if that is a big deal or not??

I'm crossing my fingers I can make this all happen. Timing is good too. Had a bunch of projects that creeped up on me this spring with my boat and finally got 99% of them ironed out so I'm comfortable that I'm selling a pretty darn good boat myself.

If you don't have any trouble with the 350......my guess the 396 will be a snap.......diesels , big props, heavier.....go for it....

Yup, those big props on a diesel will swing you very nicely.

I had a 4207 with gas engines and I never needed a thruster. Slow and steady. Don't be afraid to go dead stop, collect yourself, and start over.

I only sold it because it was woefully underpowered.had it had 500 Cats or Cummins, I'd still have her.

Ps- note, it's "Cummins".

Good luck, hope it works out. Keep us posted.

I used to have a 3807 with gas 7.4's. Not that much smaller than the 396. Definitely underpowered but I never felt the need for a thruster. I've never had digital throttles, but after watching my brother try to maneuver his boat with them after years of using the old style cable, I'm glad my boat is old style.

Thanks all! Thats really interesting to here you would prefer old style vs digital? having never used digital, I just assumed they would be a smoother version of the old school, as long as they WORKED. hahaha!

anyway, I should hear more this week. I really appreciate everyones feedback! helps my decision a LOT...

Hi 650,

I just ran mine from Sandusky to Oswego NY. Same power (Cummins 370’s) full fuel tanks, full water and provisions (heavy boat). She will hold plane at ~15kts @ 2500 rpm. WOT heavy, she will run at 23.
Clean, she will run @ 22 kts all day @ 2650.

Hull speed heavy, will require 1600 rmp in dead calm water, light she will achieve hull speed (~8kts) @ 1375 rpm.

Great boat, experienced a very windy day (30kts) while locking through the Welland canal, and didn’t use my bow thruster once. That’s because I don’t have one either! (Grin) Not a problem whatsoever.

Inbox me for more details. Good luck with your decision.

Cheers

J

Oh man!! This is AWESOME info!!! Thank you so much for contributing here! I’m really excited and the deal is moving forward contingent on my boat selling. So of course if mine takes a bit, then I may loose her. But I’m hopeful and a big believer in if it’s meant to happen it will. So I’m crossing my fingers!

Thank you again!!