396 Pounding at the aft end while moored

[thatchh]

Hello All,
I have a 2004 396 (gas engines in case it matters). When I am anchored or moored in a way where waves or wakes come toward the aft end of the boat, they get trapped underneath the swim step and pound badly. It shakes the whole boat, and can make sleeping or even just sitting in a busy anchorage very uncomfortable. I have already gotten confirmation that this is not just on my boat. Has anyone found a solution to the problem? I would consider some sort of attached baffle or diverter, or even a hull modification if I knew it would solve the problem. I wonder if later models had any changes to the structure.

Thanks,
Thatch in Seattle

[g36]

have the same with my 405 but at night any real boat traffic goes away so the lake we are on is pretty much dead calm. i still like having the swim platform at reasonable distance from the water level compared to some of my friends sea rays who are so high you cant reach the water with your feet while sitting on the platform.

[Johnnykey]

Hi Thatch, While boat shopping in Minneapolis back in May, I took a look at a 2001, 396 that docked stern to channel. I was already aware of the slapping problem of the the 396 model. The Broker had told me that on this particular 396, that the owners had the yard build a baffle with "spray foam". He remarked that it was quite ugly on the hard, but seems to work. I did not actually look under the platform. My first thought was a picture of the boat shedding foam pieces in it's wake forever, ahahaha. But maybe if executed correctly, there is merit to the idea.

[km1125]

As mentioned in the other thread, I would grab some type of cheap inflatable pool toy - even just a big inner tube - and stick it under there and inflate it and see if that would temporarily eliminate the problem.

If that worked, In the offseason I'd be looking at making a piece of fiberglass and angling it from the transom up to the swim platform. You probably could even make a grate out of aluminum or stainless tubing and do the same thing.

[bud37]

Source of the post I wonder if later models had any changes to the structure.

Interesting, maybe a call to Carver to see if they had some later model changes. Could venting the platform help here to let the trapped air escape ?