Carver 405 or 406

[VicB]

We currently have a 3807 and have been looking to upgrade to a 405 or 406 with diesels. Our search has been going for a year and a half. Seems we are always a week late or in one case too dumb to know a great deal when we saw it. The latest one we found that checks all the boxes and is not yet under contract is a 2002 and has TAMD Volvo engines. I’d always heard those were good engines until they are not. I had a Volvo gasser in a ski boat and it was great, but it never needed anything other than normal maintenance. We assumed we’d find one with Cummins but here we are. What’s good and what’s bad? Should we keep looking just based on engine brand? We are in north west Alabama. I don’t think there’s much support for any diesel, but especially a Volvo here locally. So far, we’ve done all the work on our crusaders and velvet drives ourselves, including both transmission rebuilds, but I don’t have any diesel experience yet. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks Vic

[g36]

I have a gas 405 but I'm wondering what your plans are that diesel us the only option for you? Back about 13 years ago I was thinking diesel also and like you I can work on my gas engines myself and have done so since my purchase. We're on the Tennessee River and diesels are not the norm where I'm at either. Not trying to start the gas vs diesel debate either. Just don't know if your gonna do the loop or something but. If your staying local diesel might not be the only choice.

[VicB]

You bring up a good point. Our boat traveling for as far out as we can see, are all points on the TN River. It’s possible there are trade offs for gas and diesel and the diesel may not be as big of a deal as I make it in my head. We are set that we want a 405 or 406. Gas engines in those open up a lot more choices. There is one nearby with crusader MPI’s. What are your thoughts on the MPI? Ours are carbureted. Very reliable, runs rich some days and you have to know just how to get the first start out of her after sitting a week, but a great setup and no sensors or computers, BUT if the sensors and computer are not problem areas, then a fuel injected engine would be pretty sweet.

[Viper]

Ya diesels are great but there are some considerations to think about such as boating habits; distances involved, the waters you boat in and typical weather patterns, local fuel availability, servicing, etc. all help to determine if diesels are a must or not. They typically come with a higher price tag but they'll also fetch a higher price should you decide to sell one day. They tend to be lower maintenance overall than gassers but maintenance items and component failure tend to be way pricier and so does servicing.

MPIs are good, nothing wrong with carbs though but they tend to be older engines with higher hours. EFIs have their benefits for sure especially coil-over designs, no distributor and related components to worry about which are the highest maintenance components of the ignition system. The plug wires in those are way pricier but with high end plugs chances are you won't have ignition maintenance to worry about for years.

The computers aren't a concern IMO, they rarely fail and can provide beneficial information as well as protect the engine in some cases. The sensors are no different in terms of reliability than what you'd find on older engines, you'll just have more of them on a newer engine but that's a good thing. More to go wrong? sure but it's like anything else; knowledge, preventive maintenance, and being prepared help to offset that concern.

Good luck in your search and keep us posted.

[buster53]

You bring up a good point. Our boat traveling for as far out as we can see, are all points on the TN River. It’s possible there are trade offs for gas and diesel and the diesel may not be as big of a deal as I make it in my head. We are set that we want a 405 or 406. Gas engines in those open up a lot more choices. There is one nearby with crusader MPI’s. What are your thoughts on the MPI? Ours are carbureted. Very reliable, runs rich some days and you have to know just how to get the first start out of her after sitting a week, but a great setup and no sensors or computers, BUT if the sensors and computer are not problem areas, then a fuel injected engine would be pretty sweet.

I’ve got 8.1 Crusaders MPI’s in my 356. Great engines. I easily cruise at 20-21 mph, of course, my boat is smaller and lighter. With a clean bottom, I can hit 35.

[bud37]

Multi port injection engines in gas are the way to go now for older used boats imo. The 405/406 models are very nice boats, the earlier one with the salon cross ventilation better IMO. For your intended use they should be fine unless you are heading out on long trips with no fuel available loop etc.

A few things to remember with the newer diesel engines, they are basically light duty , higher HP, higher rpm engines that , depending on their maintenance may not last any longer than a gasser and in some cases less. They are not like their older cousin lower HP big heavy power plants that lasted for tens of thousands of hours and can be rebuilt in the boat.

That opinion offered, there are some benefits, a very low risk of fires, bigger props, better docking control, I believe the fuel tanks last longer unless there is a serious install issue and CO exposure is very low. Perceived resale value may be higher but all this will rely on there being mechanics that can work on them and have maintenance files along with the sale.

Proper maintenance is also an issue with MPI , as my experience has been, mechanics may have trouble ( maybe things have changed ), diagnosing issues due the need for expensive diagnostic equipment to download info, requiring me to buy said equipment and learn how to use it. Winter lay up needs to be done properly as well due to the possibility of fouling sensors , its easy just gotta be right.

Good luck with your search, Ya know that 3807 may be older but they were nice roomy boats....

[VicB]

Love these opinions. It’s exactly what I was hoping for. Good, honest feedback. I felt like if we were going with bigger and newer, diesels should naturally fall into that equation. I’m thinking that may not be necessarily true and bears some more soul searching. It’s bitter sweet, because yes, our 3807 is a great boat and we’ve spent money on it, so that it should be around for a lot of years to come (new fuel tanks, new plumbing, lots of engine work, new bottom job last month and tons of aesthetic upgrades). She is in great shape.
What about Crusader vrs Mercruiser. We have Crusaders right now and I’m a believer. Easy to work on and they just want to run. There’s a 405 close with Mercruisers. I know they are common, but I don’t hear much about them, good or bad.

[g36]

My 97 405 has crusader xli's . I like them they have been good to me. Easy to do maintance in a 405/406. Lots of engine room access. So I think just see what's out there and keep an open mind. One thing ive really enjoyed is the fox engine gateways i installed a couple years ago showing real time engine data. We brought ours home on the water about 450 miles, Loved it. Good luck with your search. If I can answer any specifics of this model let me know.

[buster53]

I used to have a 3807 with Merc 7.4’s. While my personal preference is Crusaders, our Mercs were good engines that served us well. Merc, Crusader, Volvo…they are all GM blocks.

[Viper]

Agreed re Merc, Crusader, and Volvo, all good engines really. I will say that a Merc owner has the advantage of Merc's dealer saturation, they're just about everywhere, Crusader and Volvo, not so much. That really helps with OEM parts, there's also way more Merc aftermarket parts out there. I'll also say that OEM Crusader and Volvo parts tend to be more expensive than their Merc counterparts.