Looking at a Mainship

[MABell]

Your thoughts on Mainships - 1978 34 foot.
Reputations, craftsmanship in that era, concerns.
Thx

[djmarchand]

The Mainship 34 of that era is a classic. Built to a price certainly, but a great value. The Perkins that was fitted to most of them will last forever with reasonable care. There is a very active Mainship group on Yahoo that could answer any specific questions.

David

[MABell]

Thank you David - I'll check that out.

[Scabbydan]

I plan to buy a 390 in 2012. Seem to be several on the market so I hope I can snag a good boat for a good price,

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Scabbydan.

Good luck in your boat hunt.

[oldcal46skipper]

They are well built comfortable boats. The Perkins 6-354 is an excellent engine with parts readily available. One weakness is the BW CR2 gearbox.
I have rebuilt several of them and parts are $$$. Change the gear lube often and assure you have perfect gear output shaft coupling to prop shaft coupling alignment. Less than .003" at 12, 3, 6 & 9 oclock. Check it often.
Last one I rebuilt for a Mainship 34, parts cost almost $2,000 USD.

Keep the dry side up,
Tom