Thinking or a Carver - need help

[rcc619]

First post here and need some help -- I am thinking of moving up to a Cruiser. I want something between 30-40 feet that will sleep four.

I don't like the sleek lines of most of the express type cruiser and like the lines of the Carver. I like a boat you can walk around in and on.

What are the Carvers known for both good and bad?

Are the low end high end or somewhere in the middle price wise?

What else do you all think i should know about them?
Any advise on other boats i should look at??

 

[richl]

Re: Thinking or a Carver - need help

Hi Rcc-
Are you thinking new or used? If used, I just bought a '99 356 Aft Cabin. It has two staterooms and heads as well as the dinette which converts to a double berth. So it will sleep 6 easily. It 35 ft at the waterline, 41.2 LOA. If you're looking for a new Carver I'd probably pick anywhere from the 36 Motor Yacht to the 45 Motor Yacht. Check them out on carver's website. I haven't bought a new Carver, but I'd guess you'd be spending mid to upper $300's. There are some great used values out there though. Carver's at this point are probably considered middle ranger price-wise. Not nearly as expensive as the big boys (Viking, Hatteras, Bertram, etc.), but more expensive than the lower end. Close to Sea Ray I would say. The good is that you get tons of room for their size, and the layout is well though out. The bad is that due to their modified vee hull (shallow deadrise), and their huge amount of superstructure they don't handle great in the rough stuff. They are great for inland cruising, but I wouldn't recommend them for open ocean. Where do you plan on using your boat?

 

[rmmpe]

Re: Thinking or a Carver - need help

A Carver Riviera sounds like a good thing to look at. It has a center cockpit, 2 separate cabins and decks you can actually walk around on. The build years were 1983 to 1990 I believe. Hull form is very good and they will run at speeds from 6 MPH to 30 MPH. Fuel burn at Hull speed rivals trawlers and in some cases betters them.

In fact, due to family illness, our Hardtop Riv is for sale at a stupid low price.

 

[doorman111]

Re: Thinking or a Carver - need help

If you are looking for used, the Carver 32aft cabin is a great family cruiser.
at 36ft stem to stern, it utilizes every inch of space in the boat. They have a large center salon, 2 chairs, adjustable dining table, couch that folds out to a double bed, lower helm. forward and down 2 steps is the galley with full sized fridge, full oven, double stainless sink, micro etc. To the starboard of the galley is the main head with a full seperate shower.Further forward are the
Queen sized V-Bunks. The aft cabin is the best part - A double pull out bed on one side, a single on the other. Also a second head behind that! Plenty of cabinet space and 6'8"" headroom. The outside aft deck has plenty of room to entertain. The flybridge is only 3 steps up, so you can still talk to people on the aft deck, it seats 5. Mine has dual marine air conditioners that cool or
heat the boat well. Powered with twin 260 Mercruisers (350 Chevies) the boat planes out vey Quickly top speed of about 33 stays on plane all the way down to about 18. I have had 2 of these - 1985 & 86 loved them both. If you get to MI mine will probably be for sle this year D3