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

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tom campbell

tom campbell

Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
Messages
6
Location
Falmouth MA
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.
 
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.
 
tom campbell said:
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
Click to expand...
As a long time “displacement” trawler owner who moved to a “semi displacement” boat (American Tug 34) for the extra speed — be forewarned that to achieve speed in a so-called SD boat, the penalty is horrible fuel consumption and extreme engine noise. For me, it was a disappointment since I continued to cruise at 7 knots. Now I cruise at 24 knots in a powercat with twin outboards — amazingly smooth, much quieter and fast. Maintenance is dramatically reduced and fuel burn is acceptable since we get to our destinations in 1/3 the time it would have taken in our trawlers. Food for thought…
 
I transitioned from a twin-engined Grand Banks 42 with big rudders and no thruster to this single-engined 30 Pilot II with a prop tunnel and bow thruster. There is no wind/current condition in which I could not control the GB better than this Pilot. The tunnel negates any hope of using prop walk in either direction plus the tiny rudder is not a plus. I am not sure which Mainship models have tunnels - 30/34 Pilot II do, but Pilots don't. 350/390s, I am not knowledgeable.
 
We’ve owned our 2003 390 since 2007. The 350 and 390 are the same boat. Mainship called it a 350 in the first 2-3 years of production and then switched to th 390 name. There are the same minor differences that show up each model year so you can tell the years apart. The 350/390 is happiest cruising ate 7-9 kts.. Mainship had a few recalls on these over the years..the biggest wa on the swim platform. At the recall, Mainship at their own expense removed the to cover and dug out all of the water soaked foam. They then added access hatches. In some they added a bilge pump in the platform lot the added a pathway for any water to escape to the aft bilge. Another recall was around 2007 for most of not all of Mainship models. All of there thru hulls were recalls. As far as I know these were the only general recalls. There may have been one or two for specific boat. Mainships have relatively small rudders. Sure people have added articulated ruders to improve performance
 
I've owned my 1999 MS350 for about 15 years. It has a single 3116 300hp Caterpillar and currently has approximately 3800 hrs. It's been looped twice by previous owners and has held up surprisingly well in both mechanical condition and fit and finish.

As far as single handing the boat, I find it pretty easy to get her in and out of my own slip, because I know it. The thruster is big help going into unknown slips, but it's new. The original started going about 6 years ago, and I docked without it until I replaced it. I prefer docking from the flybridge, even though it's difficult to see the starboard stern because of the upper deck. Some use the lower helm as you can look out the door next to the helm and see the starboard stern's position relative to the piling. Of course, if you bow in, there is absolutely no problem.

Here's my routine for grabbing a mooring. Same as on your sailboat, and even easier because of the wide side decks. Cleat one end of a line/bridle on the port bow cleat and run the bitter end toward the center cleat on the starboard side. Bring the mooring alongside slowly, grab the mooring line, and quickly run the bitter end of your bridle through the loops. Quickly move toward the bow (boat in neutral, of course!) and cleat off the bitter end on the starboard bow at the appropriate length for your bridle.

I could go on for hours on my boat, but not here. If you want to give me a call, I'd be glad to discuss my experiences with you.
 
Welcome aboard TF and to trawler style cruising.
You might take a look at the MS 34HT listed in the TF classifieds and not too far up in Maine. It's in your budget ball park and a model newer than the 350/390s.

FOR SALE : Mainship model 34T, Hardtop, $160,000, Topsham, Maine.

We are selling our Mainship 34T hardtop 2007. $ 160,000. Single Yanmar Diesel 370hp. Length 34', Beam 14', Draft 3', Displacement 19,000 lbs, Solar panels 300W, Engine hrs 1077, Meticulous care, lots of upgrades, stored inside, Queen sized bed, Refrig/freezer, Full shower. Kohler generator 9KW...
www.trawlerforum.com www.trawlerforum.com
It's nearly identical to ours and with the side helm door very easy to single hand. Ours has B & S thrusters and I added a wireless remote that provides some benefits, especially when single handing or assisting crew.
Good luck with the search and happy to answer any questions about the 34T/ HT.
 
ignore prior message. sorry I'm still learning the Forum buttons and usage.

Just want to say thanks to posters for recall information and mooring techniques in particular. I've got a single screw Mainship 390 trawler under agreement. I'm pretty excited, but not looking forward to the paperwork grind and certainly not writing the check!

For those of you who offered, I'll probably send you a private message as questions arise.
thanks again.
 
tom campbell said:
Just want to say thanks to posters for recall information and mooring techniques in particular. I've got a single screw Mainship 390 trawler under agreement. I'm pretty excited, but not looking forward to the paperwork grind and certainly not writing the check!
Click to expand...
Congratulations. The 390 will be a great boat. Remember though, all boats are a compromise. There are many things the 390 will not do well, but there are many bucket list items it satisfies very well. As we got older, we found the swim step, transom door, spiral staircase, single level floorplan and a flybridge to be our major attractors. It will probably be the last trawler we own. Enjoy!
 
Single engine and bow thruster is the way to go -- at least according to ME! I have a lovely GB32 and find it to be very nimble. Cruise whatever you buy at eight knots and you will get there ahead of almost all sailboats and enjoy the ride.
 
thanks.
She has 370 hp yanmar.
She is not the quality boat I wanted, but she was one I could afford.

Dumb question about fueling. With my prior 19 gal diesel tank, I jumped thru hoops to not fill the harbor with fuel. Run the pump as slow as possible, have attendant call gallons, stand by the vent with oil absorption pad, ...

I'm going putting in 300 gallons in the new boat.
  • Do marine pumps have an automatic shutoff similar to automobile gas pumps?
  • Do they reliably work?
  • Are there other clues when pump should be shut off ? i.e. different sound/pitch/gurgle ?
thanks in advance
 
Tom
Yes... my MS 34HT sounds different when approaching full. Need to listen carefully w ear close to running fill.
Auto shut- off doesnt seem to work well enough to prevent burping back & spilling.
 
Yeah. The auto shut is not dependable and you may also need to hold the filler at a certain angle to prevent shut off when filling.

You'll find out first fill - :)

I told my wife it was fill up the boat day and she thought it would be a one hour ride. Nah, I told her more like half a day. The closest marina with diesel was a half hour away and then it takes a bit of time to pump 400 gallons into 4 tanks and pay for it and then go home.
 
-> Yes, the Mainship 350 and 390 are the same boat with a few minor differences in features.
-> All of the single engines come with a bow thruster, none of the twin engines come with a bow thruster.
-> Single handing is fine, I do it all the time. You will find it easiest to do so from the lower helm

I'm sorry but there is absolutely NO WAY the Camano 31 is the same size as the Mainship 350/390

Camano Troll 31
LOA: 31 feet
BEAM: 10' 6"
DRAFT: 3'
WEIGHT: 12,000lbs
FUEL: 150 Gallons
WATER: 100 Gallons
STATEROOMS: 1

Mainship 350/390
LOA: 39' 9"
BEAM: 14' 4"
DRAFT: 3' 6~8"
WEIGHT: 22,000lbs
FUEL: 300 Gallons
WATER: 120 Gallons
STATEROOMS: 2[/u]
 
tom campbell said:
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
Click to expand...
In answer to your question pertaining to the number of 350/390 hulls made, I read somewhere that the number was 505. I think my 1999 350 built in Feb/Mar 1999, was #142, based on the VIN. Later in 99 the 350 became the 390 to reflect it's overall length.
 
gerilla said:
In answer to your question pertaining to the number of 350/390 hulls made, I read somewhere that the number was 505. I think my 1999 350 built in Feb/Mar 1999, was #142, based on the VIN. Later in 99 the 350 became the 390 to reflect it's overall length.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I have hull #152 Built in April 1999.
 
thanks again for answers. I'm new here and really appreciate the quality and quantity of the answers.

My hopeful to be 2002 Mainship 390 Trawler getting surveyed next week.
Any 390 owners have any suggestions about specific things I should have surveyor look at?

Only things on list so far are:
bottom of swim platform. Some owners said there was a recall due to design error that let water into the swim platform. Owner says recall didn't apply to this 2002 boat.​
​
Sea Cocks. Same user reported that they were recalled. Owner didn't provide much info. Anyone know the reason for the recall ?​
​
Generator bottom mount rusts/corrodes.​
 
Since you brought up the generator...I think you will find that many if not most 350/390s have had the sound shields removed for access to the generator. Virtually no access with the shields on. This fact along with the fact that the genny is located under the cockpit sole ,which is uninsulated and not sound proofed, makes it a loud one in the cockpit area. Loud enough that normal conversation is hindered. The noise level elsewhere on the boat is comfortable. I speak from experience. My 8kw Kohler with 2300 hrs has been reliable and relatively serviceable due to no sound shields and lazarette access on both ends of the generator. But you and your neighbors know when it is running. Even with this said ,I personally believe the 350/390 to still be a great choice in its class.
 
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