Hey All;

So I'm at the dock and find out the 2003 396 by me is going up for sale. She is a beautiful boat and the owners really love her. I'm considering buying her but have a few questions.

1) She is Cummings powered with a Dingy lift on the back but no thrusters of any kind. I'm currently a 350 Mariner guy and can maneuver her pretty well, but worry with the freeboard of the 396, will I be regretting NOT having a bow thruster? The guy that owns it now assures me its not an issue at all, but he also has owned her for 10 years.

2) what kind of cruising speeds can I expect out of her? My Mariner is a 15-17 kts boat on Lake Erie (Ya, I baby my engines, I'm not a WOT kinda guy). With those diesels should I expect to get more out of her?

Love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this esp from you 396 owners!

Also if anyone wants a 350 Mariner in the Great Lakes, I may know of one for sale soon!!