[jhhall]

The only benefit the SR 400DA had over the 3600 Sovran is the aft cabin for guests. On the Tiara guest must stay in the salon. The good news with that is they only stay for one or two nights. The big difference between the boats is performance in heavy seas. The Tiara is significant better because of the weight and it has a keel. The quality of build is also better...bigger cleats, better non skid, easier access to the engines, better seat material...the list continues.

[sbw1]

We live on a 32 Open for 4 weeks in the summer and cruise all over Lake Michigan. The 3500 is the same hull as the 32 only 3 feet longer in the rear. It also has a taller top deck. The size shows up down below most noticeably in the head which is much niceer for taking showers in the bigger boat. The galley is bigger too on the 3500. Bed is the same on both boats.
The 3500 is a really comfortable boat for two and my bias is it handles the seas better than the Sovran. Have your surveyer pay close attention to moisture around through hulls on the side of the hull. If they are wet, it is an easy fix but not inexpensive. Scuppers, same thing.

[radiocontester]

We live on a 32 Open for 4 weeks in the summer and cruise all over Lake Michigan. The 3500 is the same hull as the 32 only 3 feet longer in the rear. It also has a taller top deck. The size shows up down below most noticeably in the head which is much niceer for taking showers in the bigger boat. The galley is bigger too on the 3500.  Bed is the same on both boats.
The 3500 is a really comfortable boat for two and my bias is it handles the seas better than the Sovran. Have your surveyer pay close attention to moisture around through hulls on the side of the hull. If they are wet, it is an easy fix but not inexpensive. Scuppers, same thing.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the 32 Open and for the tips on what to look for during the survey.  Curious, which Sovran model did you have a chance to ride on?

[sbw1]

I sea trialed 3500, 3600 and 3900s. The service reputation for Volvo Penta power was not as strong as Cummins. Parts were slower and expensive compared to other power packages. The joy stick was impressive, but not really required if you known how to handle a boat in tight quarters. Don't get me wrong, Sovrans are nice boats. I just preferred the Open.

[jhhall]

Not all Sovrans have Volvo engines. All the 3600 were made with either gas Crusaders or Cummins diesels. My 2006 3600 Sovran has Cummins QSC 490HP and is very good performing boat.

[sbw1]

We ran side by side with a 3600 Sovran in a big following sea on Lake Michigan from Ludington to Frankfort. We had our autopilot on the entire way doing about 23 knots. Both boats ran at the same speed. Our ride was dry and the Sovran appeared to be dry as well. Running the other way in similar seas, the Sovran seemed to be slightly faster by perhaps a half knot, although it was on a slightly more forgiving heading. It seemed to be wetter. We were both slowed down to about 18 knots. Our boat has Crusaders. The other boat was diesel powered. Both handled the seas quite well.

[Fiddlehead]

Just seeing this thread - hope I'm not too late to the party to be of some help. We're in Maine as well, and cruise overnight often on our 2002 3500 Open. We're out most weekends for 1-2 nights with 3 on board (my wife & I, with our teenage son), and have taken a number of 5-7 day trips to Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Downeast, etc.

I can't say much about the Sovran, though I've heard they are a good bit heavier than the Open. We love our boat though, and find it meets our needs perfectly. We don't fish from it, as we're set up exclusively for cruising. We carry a 10'6" RIB with a 9.5HP OB on Nautley davits on the swim platform and are very pleased with our setup.

I'm happy to answer any questions, or to simply swap Maine cruising tips. Lots of great spots out there!

[Cuttin' Up]

I own a 2000 3500 Open with 6bta cummins. We stay on the boat over the weekends, pretty much every weekend, with trips to the Bahamas for 1-2 weeks. It is also just my wife and I and we have not problems with staying on the boat whether on the hook or at a marina. The generator can be a little on the noisy side for on the hook but doesn't bother me anymore. If you have any additional questions do not hesitate to ask.

I need advice on what to stock on the boat for a Bahama trip for two weeks.  Not tons of storage on the boat.  Thanks.

[trit21]

Hard to answer that really. I think the 3500 has a lot of storage personally. Question is where are going and what are your plans when you get there? We fish a lot so we pack accordingly and where we go we can always do laundry. If your just cruising and are going to do’formal’ nights and don’t want to do laundry then you will be limited. My list for Bahamas trips are lots and lots of spare parts. Alternator, raw water pump, starter, oil and filters for oil and diesel, lots of generator parts, spare AC pumps and motors and filters, , spare props nuts and keys for the shaft, I also carry a Cummins spare parts kit that has fuel solenoids, gaskets and all kinds of smalls, and all the tools you need to replace that stuff. Hopefully you won’t need that but if you do, you probably won’t find them in the Bahamas and it will have to be flown in. AND this depends on where you are going, Lucaya or West End only, not an issue, Abacos more of an issue, Nassau not an issue but Exumas much more of an issue.

Food and stores depend on where your going. Typcally we bring about 5-7 days of food for a 2 week trip as your going to want to eat out locally. Since we fish we also like fresh caught so that helps as well. And we typically bring food back. Alcohol, you can’t bring enough so we stock for one week and buy over there when we need.

[LI_Sound]

My view, as a 3600 sovran owner:

1. I think the Open is a MUCH prettier boat and it rides better in the nasty stuff.

2. The open has the ability to get more airflow into the helm when sitting on a hook

3. Despite all of that, we went Sovran because its still a damn good ride and, while it is "wetter" it is totally irrelevant to me as I just turn on the windshield wipers when its snotty. Fully enclosed helm; simply close up the windshield vent and boom -- who cares.

4. Trunk cant be over stated; its amazing for storing everything. And then the interior is amazing.

5. I have cummins 480CE; love the engines.

"real" boaters like the Open. Ive got about 10k miles of offshore sailboat racing experience; another 5k of cruising .... and I prefer the Sovran.