34 vs 395 vs 400

Hello we are looking to buy either a 34 trawler 395 or 400 We will be doing the Great Loop and some cruising in the Bahamas maybe down to Turks We are looking for a single screw boat it will be my wife and myself along with our 2 pups Any info and real world fuel numbers would be great we are looking for the pros and cons from owners

Thank you so much

Are you referring to Mainships?

yes

With a single engine running at displacement speeds fuel cost will not be your main expense unless you anchor out most of the time. I would choose the boat you prefer and live with the fuel it burns. Better than choosing a boat that isn’t your preference for a negligible fuel savings.

Yes, fuel cost differences among those three boats will be negligible. Here are some real differences:


The 34T as it was called was Mainship's reincarnation of the venerable 34 classic. It was built from 2005 to about 2008. The 34T is my favorite for a couples boat.



The 395 was a renaming of the 34T hull and a new interior with a small second cabin below and the galley up.


Both boats have a wide beam for their length which makes for a nice size cabin, especially for the 34T with its galley down. The fly bridge is also full beam which makes it spacious.



The 400 is a bigger hull, with more room throughout than either of the two above. I would go for this boat if there were more than two people aboard routinely.



David

OP: Don't overlook the Mainship 430 too. Its more expensive but you GET a lot more space because of the aft cabin.

I toured a Mainship 400 over the winter. I loved it but IMO the salon is kinda small for a 40 footer.

My wife doesn’t want an aft cabin as she likes to sit out back having a sundowner

It’s mainly goin g to be the 2 of us doing the loop then maybe running the chain of islands down to the Turks I like the reliability of the twin engine models however I love the protected running gear of the single

We have an aft cabin sundeck model. We have a ton of sitting space on our sundeck. But the Mainship 400 is a very nice boat, a friend has one with a single in it. He really likes it.

FLSCUBADIVER72 said:

My wife doesn’t want an aft cabin as she likes to sit out back having a sundowner

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Its not a typical aft cabin layout. The 430 has a cockpit, full walk arounds and a lower sun deck. Pretty cool boat.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2004/mainship-430-trawler-3544635/?refSource=enhanced%20listing

395//34/400

All boats mentioned have trade offs. If 2 state rooms are a must the 34 is not your boat. If a roomy salon is required the 395 and 400 are out. After surveying 2 34ts and a 40t we picked a 2006 34t. There is not a trawler made in the 34 to 36ft size with a bigger salon and fly bridge ! Do not buy a 40 without seeing it in person. With the kitchen sink etc directly across from the couch, the only real seating needed for entertaining is a 3 person couch. We still miss the extra state room but have learned the only way to manage another over night couple is to allow them the use of the state room and we use the couch bed. All boats are a trade off!

395//34/400

Sorry, forgot to mention fuel burn on the 34 t. I have the twin yanmar 240 hp. engine. The best you will get is around 1.5 mpg at 2000 rpms etc.

keith c said:

Sorry, forgot to mention fuel burn on the 34 t. I have the twin yanmar 240 hp. engine. The best you will get is around 1.5 mpg at 2000 rpms etc.

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I am a little surprised at this. I owned a single engine 34T and at 2,000 rpm the boat was mushing along trying to get over the hump. Twins might push you a little faster, but it took 12 kts and 2,800 rpm to really be over the hump.


In my experience the single engine 34T cruises at a little over 7 kts at 1,700 rpm burning 3-4 gph which results in 2 NM/gal and 12 kts at 2,800 rpm burning 11 gph getting a little over 1 NM/gal.


David

djmarchand said:

I am a little surprised at this. I owned a single engine 34T and at 2,000 rpm the boat was mushing along trying to get over the hump. Twins might push you a little faster, but it took 12 kts and 2,800 rpm to really be over the hump.


In my experience the single engine 34T cruises at a little over 7 kts at 1,700 rpm burning 3-4 gph which results in 2 NM/gal and 12 kts at 2,800 rpm burning 11 gph getting a little over 1 NM/gal.


David

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Those numbers are pretty similar to what I've seen on my twin engine 400. 2000 rpm is an awkward speed. At 1800 I'm about 8 knots and a hair over 4 gph. At 2800 I'm at 14 to 15 knots and 13 gph.

Depending on conditions and load of course.

I spent time assessing a 395 earlier this year, liked it a lot. But the modest FW capacity, <300L, combined with a FW head and no where I (or Mainship) could find to put more water tankage, was a turnoff.

We love our Mainship 400 and have cruised extensively to Florida & Bahamas. Perfect for a couple but I've single-handed from Annapolis to Newport. http://pathfinderlog.blogspot.com

We burn 4gph @ 8 knots.

We do most of our entertaining on the huge bridge deck with plenty of seating, tables, and BBQ.