About This Vessel
This 1997 Cruisers Yachts 3950, measures 40 ft, and is located in New Bern, North Carolina, powered by 2x Volvo Penta TAMD63P-A 370.00HP.
NORTHERN THUNDER - 1997 CRUISERS YACHTS 3950Big-yacht living in a manageable footprint - with rare twin-diesel power, two private staterooms, two heads, and the range of comforts that make extended cruising feel effortless.She has spent much of her life in freshwaterFor buyers seeking a spacious coastal cruiser, a comfortable liveaboard, or a strong candidate for Great Loop and Intracoastal itineraries, Northern Thunder deserves a close look. Additional photos will be added soon.Signature strengthsRare diesel power: twin 370-hp Volvo Penta TAMD63P-A engines provide 740 total horsepower.Remarkable volume: a full 14-foot beam creates the room and storage buyers expect in a larger motor yacht.Genuine privacy: two separated staterooms and two heads work beautifully for couples, family, or guests.Four-season comfort: three reverse-cycle air-conditioning units serve the salon, forward cabin, and aft cabin.Protected outdoor living: aft-deck hardtop, full enclosure, wet bar, and flybridge guest seating extend the usable season.Cruising-friendly access: molded transom steps, integrated swim platform, wide side decks, and a foredeck sun pad simplify life aboard.OverviewNorthern Thunder is a distinctive 1997 Cruisers Yachts 3950 that delivers the liveability of a much larger motor yacht in a practical, owner-operated package. Her most compelling advantage is the rare twin-diesel installation: a pair of Volvo Penta TAMD63P-A engines rated at 370 horsepower each. Combined with a broad 14-foot beam, V-drive propulsion, and an aft-cabin layout, she offers an appealing balance of confident performance, exceptional interior volume, and true separation between owner and guest spaces.The interior is arranged for time aboard rather than simply weekends at the dock. A bright salon connects naturally to a generous U-shaped galley with excellent counter space, a double stainless-steel sink, three-burner electric range, convection microwave, refrigerator/freezer, and abundant storage. The forward guest stateroom and its nearby head are well separated from the aft owner's suite, where an ensuite head with tub/shower creates unusual comfort for a yacht in this size range.Outside, Northern Thunder is equally thoughtful. Molded steps rise from the integrated swim platform to a protected aft deck with hardtop, full enclosure, wet bar, and cockpit table. Above, the flybridge offers a commanding helm, ample guest seating, and the visibility that makes close-quarters operation and coastal cruising enjoyable. Wide side decks, stainless rails, a foredeck sun pad, remote spotlight, and Maxwell windlass support easy movement and practical seamanship.Three reverse-cycle air-conditioning systems, a Kohler diesel generator, central vacuum, two VacuFlush heads, generous tankage, and multiple entertainment systems give Northern Thunder the comfort expected for extended stays aboard.Why Northern Thunder stands outTwin Volvo Penta TAMD63P-A diesels - 370 hp each / 740 total hpApproximately 1,600 engine hours each Two private staterooms and two heads, including an aft ensuite with tub/showerThree-zone reverse-cycle air conditioningKohler diesel generator Full aft-deck enclosure and fiberglass hardtopAft-deck wet bar, cockpit table, and foredeck sun padWide side decks, molded boarding steps, and integrated swim platformMaxwell Freedom RC-800 windlass with bow foot controls and helm remoteReported freshwater history for much of her life New Bern, North Carolina location with access to the ICW and coastal cruising grounds It is offered as a convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients and is
Walkthrough & AccommodationsAft deck and boardingBoarding is from the integrated swim platform and molded reverse-transom steps - a practical arrangement for dockside access, swimming, and managing lines. A hot-and-cold transom shower is positioned at the entry. The aft deck is protected by an integrated fiberglass hardtop and full enclosure, creating a comfortable outdoor room in changing weather. A wet bar with U-Line refrigerator/ice maker, cockpit table, boarding lights, and cockpit lighting support entertaining and everyday use.Flybridge and helmThe flybridge provides generous guest seating and a well-equipped helm with a leather-covered wheel, SeaStar hydraulic steering, engine synchronizer, Volvo instrumentation, trim-tab controls, windlass control, remote spotlight control, high-water alarm, Fireboy discharge indicator, and separate start/stop controls for each engine. The elevated position provides excellent sightlines for docking and cruising.GalleyThe U-shaped galley is designed for extended use, with generous counter area and cabinetry. Nova Kool 6.8-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer, Frigidaire convection microwave, Euro/Kera Gourmet three-burner electric range, and double-bowl polished stainless-steel sink.Forward guest stateroom and headThe forward guest stateroom provides a private double berth, opening overhead hatch, ventilation, and dedicated storage. Its location at the opposite end of the yacht from the owner's suite creates meaningful privacy for family or guests. A second VacuFlush head with shower serves the forward accommodation and salon.Aft owner's suiteThe aft owner's suite is the defining advantage of this layout. Set apart from the forward cabin and day spaces, it offers a double berth, storage, climate control, and a private ensuite head with tub/shower - an uncommon level of comfort in this size range.Propulsion, Power & PerformancePropulsionTwin Volvo Penta TAMD63P-A, inline-six turbocharged aftercooled marine diesels370 hp each / 740 total hpApproximate current engine hours: 1,600 eachVolvo Penta V-drive transmissionsTwo 2-inch stainless-steel propeller shaftsFour-blade fixed Nibral propellers stamped 24 x 27, right- and left-handBronze struts and nitrile cutless bearingsSeaStar electro-hydraulic steeringBennett hydraulic trim tabsAC and DC electrical12-volt DC system with four Group 31 maintenance-free batteries arranged in three banks as of 2021ProMariner PM2150 inverter/battery charger, 60-amp unitEngine-driven alternators110/240-volt, 50-amp shore-power serviceMain AC breaker panel with sub-distribution breakers and reverse-polarity indicationKohler diesel generator Kohler 9OEZClimate and onboard comfortThree CruisAir reverse-cycle systems, each 10,000 BTUDedicated seawater pump, strainers, microprocessor controls, and ductingBeam central vacuum systemHot-and-cold pressure water systemAttwood hot-water heater, 19.5 gallonsNavigation, Deck & Domestic SystemsNavigation and electronicsONWA plotters added in Jan 2025B&G Network QUAD speed and depth displayICOM IC-M59 VHF marine radioFive-inch Plastimo compassRemote spot/flood lightElectronic hornFusion stereo with multiple flybridge speakersSamsung 40-inch television and additional Samsung televisionClarion CD changer and Glomex powered antenna controlHull, deck, and ground tackleFiberglass modified-V hull with prop pocketsMolded non-skid foredeck, cockpit, and transom areasIntegrated swim platform and molded reverse-transom boarding stepsStainless-steel bow rail and stanchionsWide side decksFiberglass aft-deck hardtopFull aft-deck enclosureForedeck sun padMaxwell Freedom RC-800 windlassBow foot controls and helm remote for windlassApproximately 22-pound Danforth-style anchor with 5/16-inch chain and 5/8-inch nylon rodeCockpit table, fenders, dock lines, and life jacketsGalley and domestic equipmentGalley refrigerator/freezer - Norcold Frigidaire convection microwaveEuro/Kera Gourmet three-burner electric rangeDouble-bowl polished stainless-steel galley sinkU-Line refrigerator with ice maker at aft-deck wet barHot-and-cold transom showerTwo Dometic VacuFlush toilets with deck pumpout and macerator arrangementPumps and safetyThree 1,500-gph bilge pumps with high-water alarmFireboy automatic/manual engine-room fire-suppression systemThree USCG-approved B-C handheld fire extinguishersTwo Fireboy-Xintex carbon-monoxide detectorsNavigation lights, electronic horn, PFDs, and throwable deviceMaintenance and Recent UpgradesCanvas and enclosure replaced in 2018; Isinglass replaced in 2022Two ONWA chartplotters installed in January 2025Air-conditioning systems inspected in January 2025; new 16,000 BTU unit installed in the salonPettit Hydrocoat bottom paint applied in April 2025Engines serviced in January 2024, including engine oil, oil and fuel filters, air filters, and cleaning of the Racor fuel filtersGenerator serviced in 2024 All batteries replaced in June 2026; battery bank includes one starting battery for each engine and three house batteries, reported to be Group 31 and Group 28
Mechanical Disclaimer
Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.
Disclaimer
The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated.
