97 Mariner 350 - Pleae help decide

[mobinakhtar]

I plan on doing the survey for sure. At this time I keep hearing in this forum and others that twin 350 crusaders are not enough oomph for this boat - hence sea-trial will determine if I feel comfortable. I don't intend to race with this thing but due to Gulf weather, one might have to get ashore quickly.

This is going to be my first "yacht" so I am still looking around for a slip - trying to find where to buy gas on the water etc. My friends keep telling me to buy a smaller boat that fits in my own boathouse and is easy to maneuver (9' beam restriction in my boathouse ). That's a great idea but I cannot find the right boat for that either. I want something that looks like a sedan but has no stern drive and a beam narrower than 9 ft.

[km1125]

Well, it looks like you're going to need TWO boats... a smaller center console for your boathouse, and the Mariner (this one or a different one) for the marina.

I do think those engines are a bit underpowered for that boat. My boat weighs 18,000 lbs too and I have twin 350HP engines. I'm not a speed demon in this boat but I couldn't imagine having much less power.

If top end is REALLY not an issue, if everything else looks good on the boat you could downsize the props. This would give you all the power to get up on plane even in "not-so-ideal" conditions and regardless of load, but may take 2-4 MPH off tops speed and knock a little off cruising speed so the engines aren't running at 4,000 rpm all the time. It's an option for you that might make this boat workable for you given your requirements. You can also save the original props as spares in case anything happens and you need a temporary set (I think you should always have a spare set available)

[mobinakhtar]

Km1125 - thank you very much. That is correct, I am not interested in top end in a cruising-for-brusin boat. I am looking at small boat that I can keep in my boat house right now, just not sure if this is the right time to get into yachting.

[RGrew176]

With the twin 350's 5.7's I assume it will not be a speed racer for sure. My 3007 has twin 5.7's rated at 270 HP. My boat tops out at 25 MPH and generally cruises in the 16 MPH to 18 MPH range. I think it is safe to assume that the Mariner hull is different from my 3007 so my numbers will not be your numbers with that boat.

I would think that top end and cruising speeds would be similar to mine. At least it gives you an idea. Obviously your sea trial will answer all your questions concerning top end and cruising speeds.

Good luck. I hope all goes well.

[Cooler]

I have Crusader 350XL's in my Mariner. Carbed. I do not feel under powered at all. 3000RPM gives me 18MPH, 3400RPM gives me 23MPH. They do get to 4400 WOT, but burns a lot fuel at 3600RPM and up. The 97 is heavier by about 2500 lbs, so that needs to be taken into account. My cruises are shorter distances, so I do not cruise with full tanks very often. I also do not carry lot's of unnecessary gear. My cruise on Monday was 24 miles, ran at 3000 RPM, burned 20 gallons. Hope this all helps!
er

[mobinakhtar]

Thanks Cooler - very relavant

[mjk1040]

We had a 1986 Carver Mariner 32'. The haul design is a planning style and will have 5.7L Crusaders. This style haul skates some what. If it does not have a bow thruster, most likely under idle speed you are going to have to steer this boat with the engines, like a skis steer or zero turn mower and not the steering wheel. Also on wind days while trying to maneuver at slow speeds you are going to want to open all the windows on the bridge if it has a complete enclosure at the bridge. There should be scoffer drains in the engine hatch tracks to keep rain water out of the engine compartment. Water shouldn't pool under one engine, cross drains must be plugged. Good Luck, its a fun boat, we miss ours, but also enjoy our 355ACMY!

[tomschauer]

Shouldn't everyone have at least two boats?

[RGrew176]

Source of the post Shouldn't everyone have at least two boats?

Technically I do have 2. The 30' Carver and a 10' 4" Aventus inflatable. Thinking of adding a PWC to my fleet next year.

[mobinakhtar]

Engines and Genset started on the Carver 350 - Now waiting for Owner to counteroffer on my initial offer. The broker is talking to them as they are saying I'm too low for them to counter.