Dougcole
Guru
Since we have a MS 400 (2005, twins), I understand exactly what you are going through in your search. I didn't really want a Mainship, my first choice was a 42 Sabre, but they were just out of our price range.
We really found nothing comparable in the same price range.
We had a 1973 Gulfstar for 9 years prior to the Mainship and put a lot of miles under its keel. After that boat though, I learned two things and these two were non negotiable for me in the new boat.
1. I wanted the ability to go faster at times, and in rougher conditions to be able to bang through rather than roll.
2. Minimal to no exterior wood. I kept the teak on the old boat in great shape, but after 9 years enough was enough. I was tired of dealing with it.
Three years into the new boat those were both good decisions. I don't miss the wood at all, ever. We run at about 15 knots about 1/2 the time.
We also wanted a big FB, a second cabin that would sleep both our boys, a walkout covered cockpit and a galley that would support our 3 to 5 week Bahamas trips. The 400 checked all those boxes, though my younger son usually sleeps on the couch.
There are a few things I don't like about the boat. The wiring is a little wonky, the genset access is terrible (I removed the sound shield which helps a lot) access to outboard sides of engines is just OK (not as bad as it looks). You can't see the transom from either helm when backing into a slip.
But overall we love the boat. I can find very few things to nit pick. It's a good sea boat, economical and easy to work on. Comfortable, reliable. The build quality of Mainships improved in the later models, the 400 is a better built boat than the 390 in many ways.
Personally, I did not find the single appealing as it gives up some speed and draws a lot more water. The engine access on the single isn't really better than the twin, just different.
You are correct, the salon access hatch is a bit of a bear to deal with, I'd love to figure out a way to hinge it.
Anyway, sorry to puke so much random info on the page, I know I am rambling. Hope this helps.
Doug
We really found nothing comparable in the same price range.
We had a 1973 Gulfstar for 9 years prior to the Mainship and put a lot of miles under its keel. After that boat though, I learned two things and these two were non negotiable for me in the new boat.
1. I wanted the ability to go faster at times, and in rougher conditions to be able to bang through rather than roll.
2. Minimal to no exterior wood. I kept the teak on the old boat in great shape, but after 9 years enough was enough. I was tired of dealing with it.
Three years into the new boat those were both good decisions. I don't miss the wood at all, ever. We run at about 15 knots about 1/2 the time.
We also wanted a big FB, a second cabin that would sleep both our boys, a walkout covered cockpit and a galley that would support our 3 to 5 week Bahamas trips. The 400 checked all those boxes, though my younger son usually sleeps on the couch.
There are a few things I don't like about the boat. The wiring is a little wonky, the genset access is terrible (I removed the sound shield which helps a lot) access to outboard sides of engines is just OK (not as bad as it looks). You can't see the transom from either helm when backing into a slip.
But overall we love the boat. I can find very few things to nit pick. It's a good sea boat, economical and easy to work on. Comfortable, reliable. The build quality of Mainships improved in the later models, the 400 is a better built boat than the 390 in many ways.
Personally, I did not find the single appealing as it gives up some speed and draws a lot more water. The engine access on the single isn't really better than the twin, just different.
You are correct, the salon access hatch is a bit of a bear to deal with, I'd love to figure out a way to hinge it.
Anyway, sorry to puke so much random info on the page, I know I am rambling. Hope this helps.
Doug
I should have taken pics. Our neighbor bought a Silverton last year, and is keeping it down in Stuart. I should pick his brain a bit before moving forward.
.
