newbie. going to what I used to call the "dark side".... mainship 350/390 trawler

Newbie here.

I'm a long time avid cruising sailor based in Cape Cod. I'm selling ebba, a 27' Island Packet and moving to what I until recently called the "dark side". I'm on the water 40-60 days per season and cruise from NYC to Maine, exclusively single handing. Wife spends occasional overnights and day trips. I want to move up to a bigger and better equipped boat (to get more "wife days").

As long as I have been sailing, the wind blew 10-15 SW eight days out of ten. Last few years, it's been either 5 knots (unsailable for ebba) or 20. I don't see that changing. Last two seasons I motored more than half the time. I figure if I'm going to motor, I might as well motor faster. It's also a plus to go in any direction you want.

Current plan is a semi-displacement trawler. I like the additional speed over a full displacement trawler. Budget around $150K (still under negotiation with crew). Current target is a Mainship 350/390 trawler (same boat right? they just renamed it).

Many boat models have well known problems, e.g. rotted cores, corroded fuel tanks, etc. Any known issues like this with Mainship 350/390 trawler?

Any guesses on how many Mainship 350/390 trawlers got built and when?

I'm a little concerned about docking singlehanded on a bigger boat. The new one will have a bow thruster (which I've never had) and probably a single screw. I'd love twins for redudancy and better control, but it severely limits the available choices. I understand (like my sailboat) that the rudder will be useless in reverse. Is it reasonable that I can single hand and anchor, grab moorings, and land on face docks? I can do all above on my sailboat, but new boat will be bigger. Slips will continue to be an adventure I'm sure.

thanks in advance

and I forgot to ask....

Any other model recommendations to look at in particular? The $150 K certainly limits the choices, but pretend it's $200K.

thanks

Welcome aboard the TF, Tom. With your single-handing experience aboard that Island Packet, I am confident that you'll adapt to handling a motor cruiser in short order.

As to your statement, "I figure if I'm going to motor, I might as well motor faster. It's also a plus to go in any direction you want," I will add this: if you're motoring to weather, it's a plus to do so from a sheltered, heated / air-conditioned helm station, with your foul weather gear nice and dry, in the hanging locker.

Others can speak to the typical concerns with Mainships such as you're interested in. No matter what you buy, my suggestion is always to be looking for a boat whose current owner has lavished it with tender loving care, and of course to get acquainted with a surveyor who communicates well.

tom campbell said:

I'm a little concerned about docking singlehanded on a bigger boat. The new one will have a bow thruster (which I've never had) and probably a single screw. I'd love twins for redudancy and better control, but it severely limits the available choices. I understand (like my sailboat) that the rudder will be useless in reverse. Is it reasonable that I can single hand and anchor, grab moorings, and land on face docks?

Click to expand...

Yes. Mostly. With some reservations, which is more about conditions on any specific day, not about the boat itself (or you).

If doable, it wouldn't hurt to add a remote to the bow-thruster, but I wouldn't recommend you care about doing anything like that until you've run the boat for a year or so. Good to have "think about it" time first.

Otherwise, it's often just a matter of getting close enough for long enough to get one "decent" line on a cleat or pile. Everything after that is just clean up.

We don't use our thruster much for docking maneuvers, mostly after that first line is on, and then just to get close enough to a forward or aft pile or cleat to get a line on it. We have twins, though...

-Chris

Add the Camaro Troll 31 to your list. It is discussed in the current Tiny Trawler thread. For a couple it has just about as much room as the Mainship.

Also for NYC to Maine, consider the Mainship Pilot 34. No flybridge, but in that geography you won’t need one. My avatar shows that boat.

Both can be had for less than $150K.

David

First, best thing you can do is read all the posts under Marlow/Mainship regarding the 350/390s. It will take a while but when you finish you will have a pretty good idea of what the pros and cons are for the Mainship. I have the 350, my buddy who we will be out with this weekend has the 390. We compare all the time. Just small differences in interior. We cruise 7-9 kts. Going faster will cost you significantly in fuel. I single hand with the mate sometimes standing by the helm for emergencies should they arise. The thruster is a must as the small rudder is almost useless at docking. Set amid ship and control docking with the thruster. After a while, you will get proficient at reverse with single screw and the thruster. Five years with the boat and no major issues. There was an issue early on with water in the swim step but those pretty much have been taken care of. Like most older boats, the electrical has a life of its own. There was a pretty standard wire loom used on the 350/390 but every boat has been modified and like my case, I am still learning what they did. You should be able to find a 350/390 for under $150k so good luck and have fun looking.

Welcome aboard.

Thank you for all your responses.
It was encouraging to hear I can actually single hand the 350/390.

I looked at Camaro Troll 31. Seems like a very nice boat, but lack of door at helm is a show stopper for me. There also doesn't seem to be many for sale.

Off to read the Marlow/Mainship thread.

I believe this Willard 40 is currently in the Rhode island area. Current asking is $225k but spent much of its life stored in a boathouse in Michigan. Stabilized full displacement. I believe it was the last sedan version Willard built in 2000.


Peter