97 Mariner 350 - Pleae help decide

[mobinakhtar]

Hello CY owners,

We are in the market for a carver 350 mariner specifically as we like its interior design. I saw one listed locally for a decent price and decided to visit it. I am not new to boating but this will be my first motor yacht. We plan to take half/full day cruises few times a year in local Galveston Bay. No long trips planned at this time.

This boat per broker was in probate after PO passed away and has been docked here at his marina for 1 year without being started or operated. We liked it cosmetically so I put a deposit on it pending survey and sea trial. At this time batteries are shot and will not turn over engines (They appear to be regular car batteries from O’Rileys.) The broker didn’t have a jump box on him. AC was on and cooling on shore power when we visited. Broker opened center hatch revealing generator but didn’t open engine hatches as we were standing on them. Later, I returned to take some pictures and was able to open engine hatches and inspect engines from the top. I am new to this boat style (outboard guy) and need your help here.

The Starboard engine was bone dry underneath, and the center of engine bay dry also (this is where an automatic bilge pump was installed) but the port engine had 2-3 inches of water under it possibly not making it to bilge pump in center. This could be rain water (likely) or from a leaky v-drive seal. I just noticed that shaft coming out of that engine’s v-drive (3-4 inches long) to the outside was submerged.Someone was working on the generator and airbox was open (air filter missing). Also, there is a coolant style pipe disconnected on top of generator. I understand that this boat is 22 years old and due to sitting in saltwater, appears to have lots of rust in the engine compartment.

Engines are 350 XL FI crusaders. I am fuel conscious and have a Ferrari when I have the urge to speed. This is for trolling/cruising only not to race, still I need opinion on 350's in this Hull. Broker claims, this kind of hull will be okay with these. Also is some water ok in bilge? I noticed, level of water was not enough to reach the center bilge pipe. Just confused why there is no bilge pump in starboard side of engine. lots of rusty parts but the boat sits in salt all its life.

Any advice? The owner today has agreed to have local marina start engines and put back genset for a sea trial.

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum..

Boats like this are interesting because they can be bought fairly cheap.....this would depend on how handy you are, because there will be lots of things that come up . You say this would be your first big boat....so here is an honest opinion.....you can hire a surveyor and mechanic and see what they say as to the shape the boat is in and what it may need. In my experience after you buy pretty much any boat, there will be maybe 2 years to get it how you like..( we are fussy.. )...
As to the water...the deck drains are not very good and any water tends to run forward in the bilge. The 350's are ok if they are in good shape, the boat is not fast....maybe 14 to 19 knots with a good clean bottom

If you can swing it, as a first boat maybe a turnkey may be a better choice, although as I said if you are very handy this could be a great deal.....good luck with your search......

[mobinakhtar]

I agree bud37. I am VERY handy specially with electronics and cosmetics. bottom was done a year ago so is relatively new. previous owner was also very handy I am told. (shows with bunch of spares and extras he bought, and all the lighting etc he has installed inside. Inside the boat is immaculate. Its just been sitting for a year or more. I don't know if this matters but it is sitting in one of the "more" expensive marinas - telling me that PO didn't have money issues. Also apparently he was routinely using local marina cleaning and general services for this vessel.

[tomschauer]

When you have it surveyed, make the time to be there with the surveyor. Ask lots of questions and make sure everything is check out, so you know at least the glaring issues.
As far as the water, there are pass through holes in the stringers to allow all of the water to reach centerline where the pumps are. It may be just some dirt and debris keeping the water from going to center, but something you want to verify.
The Mariner is a fairly light hull for the size, so I would expect the 350's will do fine, although you wont be blowing by anyone.

[RGrew176]

A survey followed by a sea trial will tell you a lot about the boat and its mechanical condition. With any used boat there will be things to take care of even one that passes a survey.

For example my 81 3007 passed the survey pretty well. One of the questions I asked the surveyor was if he were in the market for a boat would he buy this one (meaning the one I looked at) and he said yes. That said there were a couple of tiny things I needed to do after purchase.

I purchased my Carver in August of 2015 the following August of 2016 the clutches fused on my port transmission and I needed to have that transmission rebuilt. Things happen. I have had to replace the seawater pump for my A/C for example. My boat is 38 years old. Things wear out. I don't mind fixing little things it's the big things that cost but hey, it's a boat.

I wouldn't trade the experiences on the waterways for anything in the world.

[Cooler]

Mo - hire a really good surveyor to go through the vessel. Not a surveyor hired by the yard. The broker's job is to sell only. Salt water is extremely corrosive, not only the actual water, but also the air environment. It impacts metals constantly. That translates to electrical issues frequently. Electrical can be the most frustrating issues to find and repair. I would proceed with extreme caution, and get that surveyor on board. When I bought my Mariner, the owner was agreeable to hold back $$ as a source for repair expense for the first season. That can be negotiated in your sale contract. The broker holds $X in his trust account, to cover expense for X time, or till you have run the boat for X hours. The good news is the estate does not need the money right away, so that should work in your favor. Great boat, we really enjoy our Mariner. Comfort over speed anytime! er

[km1125]

Are those engines 350 CI or 350HP?

For a time, Crusader made both. The 350CI was rated for around 270HP. The 350HP were 454CI big blocks.

As to the water... you can check and see if any of the limber holes through the stringers are blocked that prevents the water from making it to the bottom of the bilge. On my boat, the limber holes are more aft on each stringer, so there's a couple spots where water will sit until you get the boat up on plane and the bow pitches up. Then the water runs aft, through the limber holes and down the the lowest spot in the bilge where it gets pumped out.

[mobinakhtar]

Cooler - great advice about the surveyor. I will try to get the best available regardless of cost.

Km1125 - With my luck I think they are 260HP 350 CI but I am not so sure. The label on top says "Crusader engines XL Fuel injected" on the same plate slant side it says 350XL

[Ckirkeby]

We are in year 7 of our 97 Carver 350 Mariner. The water in the engine bilge is common as the Mariner leans forward such that the water is towards the fore bulkhead and not aft where bilge pumps are located. You could add bilge pumps in front of the engines if you are concerned. I just pump out the water every few weeks with a portable pump. The water comes from rain and overflow of the hatch support rails. The layout has been fantastic for us. We have slept as many as 11 (family) and cruised with as many as 20. We have the propane model and absolutely love it. The only quirk is handling. At top speed of 17 knots I feel a bit nervous if the seas are rough. Would also like a larger holding tank. That said you get a huge amount of capability/usability for the money with this boat. Survey is always a good idea to help inform your decision. Good luck.

[RGrew176]

Source of the post We are in year 7 of our 97 Carver 350 Mariner. The water in the engine bilge is common as the Mariner leans forward such that the water is towards the fore bulkhead and not aft where bilge pumps are located. You could add bilge pumps in front of the engines if you are concerned. I just pump out the water every few weeks with a portable pump. The water comes from rain and overflow of the hatch support rails. The layout has been fantastic for us. We have slept as many as 11 (family) and cruised with as many as 20. We have the propane model and absolutely love it. The only quirk is handling. At top speed of 17 knots I feel a bit nervous if the seas are rough. Would also like a larger holding tank. That said you get a huge amount of capability/usability for the money with this boat. Survey is always a good idea to help inform your decision. Good luck.

A survey on any used boat is a must. I have seen some suggestions that one should survey a new boat too. I am not saying that a survey of a new boat is a must. For any used boat, and the older they are, it is an absolute must in my opinion.