I am in the market for a used trawler/motor yacht and the early 80's 34 Mainship seems like an economical option. As described by Jack Horner in Boat US, Mainship built 3 models of the 34, Mark I, II, and III. Does anyone know the history of these models. According to Mr. Horner the Mark III had the most desirable Cabin/Cockpit characteristics. In looking over used boats on the internet, I can't determine when the Mark III was first built. It was my understanding Mainship ceased production of the I and II when the III was built.
Any information would be appreciated.
Tim

I have shopped these boats extensively. The mk1 is the most "trawler like". I prefer it since it has the cover over the aft cockpit...it is practical and it just looks better. The Mk2 seemed to be aimed at more of the sportfish market. The cockpit was bigger and the saloon was smaller. I think they missed the mark as this was the least popular of the bunch. The came back with the mk3 which lengthened the saloon at the expense of cockpit space....still looks like a sportfish to me....nnothing wrong with that if you like that sorta thing. The hulls are all the same. The hull design was done by Cherubini...made to be easily driven thru the water. Anyway, the later the model, the more likely you would get the 200hp engine(Perkins 6-354). The 160hp engine wasw more likely on the older models. It is just 40hp but it is truly the difference between cruising at 12kts or at 8kts. That 40hp gets it over the hump. If speed is important, make sure you get one with the 200hp motor. Many have actually been repowered so look out for that as well. They also had soft deck issues. They have been around so long that most have been repaired but this is something that definitely needs to be looked at. They are a TREMENDOUS value and would make a great cruiser for a couple.

Good luck and lemme know if you have any other questions....not like I could answer them....

John,

Thanks for taking the time to discuss the Mainship 34. Your comments made me re-look the different models. It appears the mark I has by far the largest fly bridge. The other two have very small fly bridges and would not suit my purpose.
I also noticed the later models have a lighter wood, perhaps oak or mable in the interior vs the dark teak of the older models.

My wife fell in love with the Mainship 35/39 after viewing one at a marina we were overnighting at. We both particularly like the steps leading to the fly bridge vs the ladder in many of the '80 vintage boats. Too bad we can't afford one.

Mainship did not seem to make many smaller diesal trawlers/motor yachts after '85. It seems they switched to gas until the 35/39 dayviewed in about '97.

I must sell my sailboat before I get serious about a trawler. At the rate boats are moving the Mainship 35/39 may well fall into my price range by the time I'm ready to buy.

Is it easy to spot the soft deck issues you mentioned?

Tim

Yes it is. And a good surveyor would not miss them either. I will echo your sentiment about the 35/39. Great looking boat and great layout. We love those boats. And can't afford them either. They have managed to retain their value quite well.

John,
The old Mainship 34 caught my eye When I was shoping for a cruiser before Willy. I liked the narrow bow and the overall looks of the boat. I assumed they burned 3 or 4 gph and was mussing about how I could afford that when I saw one out of the water. The hull dos'nt reach it's maximum beam untill it reaches the transom and at that point it's still getting wider. The hull is warped (going from deep V fwd tward flat as one moves aft) all the way to the transom. At 12 to 18 knots this should be extreemly efficent and that is, of course extreemly desirable. But I decided it would be like a bear in a greased pit in following seas so I wrote them off. Iv'e talked to several owners since then and all confirmed that following seas is not a good place to be in a Mainship 34. Lately though Iv'e thought I may have written the boat off prematurely as the problem in following seas may may be slight and one can frequently make things better with course changes. My own Willard isn't perfect in following seas either (its very full aft)  but if I keep the 100 gal water tanks full in the lazerette the big rudder takes care of me. A true doubble ender is slender aft as well as fwd. Anyway I'd be interested to know what you mainship owners think and if your hull John is like the MS 34.

Eric Henning

Anything with a wide square ass is gonna give you the characteristics you speak of. It is just a matter of having too much buoyancy aft. BUT, if you can "outrun" the wave train, this is not as much of an issue...ie get up on plane. You still aren't outta the woods there either. As you come off the top of a wave, the bow can potentially dig in and almost broach if you do not have the boat trimmed properly. Anyway, the hull of my boat is similar to what you describe and is basically the posterchild of a semi-planing hull. FWIW, Cherubini is the designer of the MS 34 motorcruiser.

confirmed that following seas is not a good place to be in a Mainship 34

I ran one for 14 years and that is only true for the low powered, low speed ones. Anyone that has been repowered or came with 220 or more hp can run fast enought that this is usually not an issue, esp if you have a decent autopilot, which all slow boats should have IMO.
These hulls will run great up to 16 knots then they get squirelly as they start to chine walk over 16.
AM

Just reading thru this thread again. And Albin man, it really isn't "chine walking". All semi-planing hulls will do what you are saying. What is happening is that the only portion of the hull that creates lift is the aft portion. The faster you go, the more lift is created....common sense. It does get to a point where the aft end of the boat creates enough lift that the front end starts to dig in....or in reality it is "bow steering"....and it is a very odd feeling. Anyway, my current boat, the Pilot 30, comes with 2 different engine options. A smaller one(240hp) and a bigger one(315hp). I have the smaller one and it is just powerful enough to get you into this regime(about 17 or 18kts). But the boats with the larger engine can easily get into that regime so ultimately you are paying for all that extra engine and not really putting it to use. You may be able to cruise at 16 a little easier whereas my boats happy spot is 15kts(240hp).

Anyway....FWIW