Log in or Sign up

Click for YF Listing Service

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser .

carver yachts reviews

pros and cons of older carvers

Discussion in ' Carver Yacht ' started by timvail , Mar 20, 2010 .

timvail

timvail Senior Member

We have just recently sold our sea ray and are looking to purchase between 35 to 40 foot MY. We have been looking at carvers as we like the layout. We have recently heard some discouraging news regarding the older ones. Any comments or suggestions would be most helpful.\tks tim

wscott52

wscott52 Senior Member

I don't know specifics, someone here will, but the Carvers I've been on didn't seem very well built. I think Sea Ray is generally a better built boat. I did have a marine surveyor once, after ragging on Carvers, tell me Silvertons were surprisingly well built boats.

CaptTom

CaptTom Senior Member

My family and I had a 1987 34 Silverton Convertible for 17 years. Based in Long Island, NY, we cruised all over the south shore, around Manhattan, tons of offshore ocean fishing, even up the Hudson to Albany. Nice, solid hull, all glass at least below the waterline. Drilled a hole in the bottom for a transducer and the plug had no wood or coring. Had it in 6+ footers a few times. It's not always the build of the boat that makes an experience good or bad but the experience and knowledge behind the wheel. Anyway, sleeps 4 comfy, 6 is possible, you'll have more options with kids (i.e. took the dinette table down and had my infant son sleep on the dinette floor on blankets, worked well. 40-fotters around the late 1980's had same type of layout but much more room, which may suite you.

RER

RER Senior Member

Not sure what you mean by 'older' ...some people think a 2002 model is old. With an older boat, and I'll assume you mean at least 10 years old, I don't get too hung up on model year or brand. If it's 10 years old or 15 years old what matters to me is the care the boat has received and the condition that it's in. When I buy an older boat I look at it like I'm paying the seller for care and upkeep during the period of time he's owned it. I value a knowledgeable owner/seller as much or more than a particular brand.

mbgator

mbgator New Member

Older Carver's Last summer we purchased a '85 Carver Riviera. 28' with twin crusaders. Very well maintained. We are the 3rd owner, first had it for 17 years and loved the boat dearly. The 2nd owner just kept it at the marina and didn't use it. After a thorough survey, weeks of cleaning - we are very proud of her. Solid boat for a 28 footer.

Attached Files:

Pegasus.jpg.

By older we mean something late '80s. Specifically we had been looking at 3607's or 3807's. And in the mid '90's, perhaps the 355. We'd always thought Carvers to be solid, well made boats....there are certainly a number of them around here, and are popular, but after doing a little research, have heard a number of sources tell us that they are not as solid as they appear. mbgator: contrats on your Riviera! Just a few years ago that was our "dream boat". But at the time, they were out of our range and now we'd like something a little different. Nice boat though!

Fireman431

Fireman431 Senior Member

I have a 2001 Carver 374 Voyager. I am the second owner and picked it up after realizing what a decent boat they really are. I have done a lot of research on the Carvers, Silvertons, Meridian (Bayliner), Maxums, etc. The older Carvers, generally older than the early 90's, weren't constructed as well. They had foam and coring below the waterline and lots of wood in their stringers. As the manufacturing process progressed, they had to come into compliance with stricter guidelines for the NMMA certifications. My vessel has no coring (fiberglass only) below the waterline. TONS of sealent between fittings and with all fasteners, very nice fit & finish to all fiberglass parts--no giant gaps to fill in with caulking. The interiors are some the best in their mid-range cruiser class. Just make sure that the boat has been preperly cared for and all maintenance completed as scheduled. Good luck on whatever purchase you make.

geriksen

geriksen Senior Member

We work on a lot of them here. Quality is between Silverton and Sea Ray. The biggest problem we see is that they had layup issues that lead to massive blisters. Big, deep ones. I have seen some that almost go all the way though the hull on Carvers.. The Santego's are actually great boats but don't sell very well. The old 4207 was a great boat with 3208 cats. Some of the other models are just plain goofy. We call the Mariner "the orthopedic shoe" After 2001 they all sort of look like plastic bubbles like Meridian, Silverton, etc.
CaptTom said: My family and I had a 1987 34 Silverton Convertible for 17 years. Based in Long Island, NY, we cruised all over the south shore, around Manhattan, tons of offshore ocean fishing, even up the Hudson to Albany. Nice, solid hull, all glass at least below the waterline. Drilled a hole in the bottom for a transducer and the plug had no wood or coring. Had it in 6+ footers a few times. It's not always the build of the boat that makes an experience good or bad but the experience and knowledge behind the wheel. Anyway, sleeps 4 comfy, 6 is possible, you'll have more options with kids (i.e. took the dinette table down and had my infant son sleep on the dinette floor on blankets, worked well. 40-fotters around the late 1980's had same type of layout but much more room, which may suite you. Click to expand...
carver boats Thanks everyone for your help. I hope a good surveyer can locate the concerns that may arise in the boat we choose.
Regarding your surveyor: 1) They hate it, but watch everything the surveyor does. I had the survey done on my boat and they provided everything including compression tests on the engine. They indicated each cylinder pressure, took oil samples for the engines and genset, pulled the boat and checked the hull, out drives, shafts, seals, etc. However, I discovered that they forged the cylinder pressures because there was a broken plug that they missed plus one that was seized in the cylinder head. That was because the big fat surveyor couldn't get his bug butt on the outboard side of the engines. 2) Get a reputable company. There are fly-by-night compaines that won't certify their results. Get someone that's beenin business for a while. 3) By sticking with the surveyor and asking questions, you're likely to learn somehing about the vessel and what to look for on your own. I learned a lot about what to look for on the hull and shafts when I pull the boat for zincs and visable inspection.
geriksen said: We work on a lot of them here. Quality is between Silverton and Sea Ray. The biggest problem we see is that they had layup issues that lead to massive blisters. Big, deep ones. I have seen some that almost go all the way though the hull on Carvers. Click to expand...

:D

NYCAP123 Senior Member

Fireman431 said: Regarding your surveyor: 1) They hate it, but watch everything the surveyor does. I had the survey done on my boat and they provided everything including compression tests on the engine. They indicated each cylinder pressure, took oil samples for the engines and genset, pulled the boat and checked the hull, out drives, shafts, seals, etc. However, I discovered that they forged the cylinder pressures because there was a broken plug that they missed plus one that was seized in the cylinder head. That was because the big fat surveyor couldn't get his bug butt on the outboard side of the engines. 2) Get a reputable company. There are fly-by-night compaines that won't certify their results. Get someone that's beenin business for a while. 3) By sticking with the surveyor and asking questions, you're likely to learn somehing about the vessel and what to look for on your own. I learned a lot about what to look for on the hull and shafts when I pull the boat for zincs and visable inspection. Click to expand...

joe miglio

joe miglio New Member

mbgator said: ↑ Older Carver's Last summer we purchased a '85 Carver Riviera. 28' with twin crusaders. Very well maintained. We are the 3rd owner, first had it for 17 years and loved the boat dearly. The 2nd owner just kept it at the marina and didn't use it. After a thorough survey, weeks of cleaning - we are very proud of her. Solid boat for a 28 footer. Click to expand...

Capt J

Capt J Senior Member

wscott52 said: ↑ I don't know specifics, someone here will, but the Carvers I've been on didn't seem very well built. I think Sea Ray is generally a better built boat. I did have a marine surveyor once, after ragging on Carvers, tell me Silvertons were surprisingly well built boats. Click to expand...
Joe Thanks for reaching-out. We loved our Riveria and occasionally discuss how much we enjoyed the boat. When first purchased, the survey returned a single page of recommended items, all cleared-up within a weekend. Very little was noted, and nothing structural. Very solid boat, easy to handle and a breeze to dock. While not as fast as a 30 Sundancer, she was easily as stable and had twice as much 'livable' room aboard. Fuel consumption is relative, but I ran her at 17 - 18 knots and averaged about 20 gph at that speed on Lake Michigan. I could keep her on plane at as little as 15 knots before she fell-off. One downside to note - she's not a 'dry boat', the bow doesn't have enough flare to keep all the spray off the windshield, but that wasn't a problem. Does the boat you are looking-at have A/C, is it gas or diesel, genset installed? Keep us posted.

Cindy F

Cindy F New Member

We are also looking at a 1986 Riviera and would appreciate any comments about the boat. It has been completely restored inside with all new cushions etc. It seems to have been very well maintained. I 've read a lot of negative reviews about Carver boats, especially the older ones. We don't plan on any long trips, just want to explore the SW Florida coastline. I'm wondering if it may be a good little boat for us, as its very roomy below. The price is $30,000, so for the money, we can't expect too much. The engine has been refurbished and has 700 hours. Any thoughts on this boat?
  • No, create an account now.
  • Yes, my password is:
  • Forgot your password?

YachtForums: We Know Big Boats!

yachtsurvey.com - The Best Source for Boat Buying Information

  • David Pascoe
  • All Articles (over 180)
  • Mid Size Power Boats
  • Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats
  • Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats (2E)
  • Marine Investigations
  • Domestic (USA)
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • All Articles
  • Order Books

yachtsurvey.com

  • Boat Reviews
  • Buying a Boat
  • Cores & Structural Issues
  • Marine Engines
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Hull Blisters
  • Marine Surveying
  • Insurance Issues
  • Boat Handling & Boat Safety
  • Hurricane Preparations
  • Fuel Issues

Mid Size Power Boats

Read Online

Full Chapter One

by David Pascoe

When we first decided to do boat reviews, we pretty much decided that there were certain boat builders that we wouldn't consider. These would mainly be the entry-level class builders, or builders whose products had established such a well known reputation for poor quality and defective products that we needn't state the obvious.

There are always those folks who can't resist a bargain, or whose philosophy is to always shop and buy based on the lowest price. Sure, we harp on quality a lot, mainly because boats are so very expensive, and to spend $100,000 on the lowest priced boat of its class is just plain nuts. But we've come to realize that there are some people -- many of them, in fact -- who will never realize the error in this.  So there's no point in our attempting to dissuade them.

We also pointed out in our Introduction to Boat Reviews , which many of our readers don't read, and therefore miss the whole point of these reviews being here, that the quality amongst any builder's product line can be highly variable, not only from model to model, but from year to year, or even month to month. We cautioned against simply reading a review of one boat, and then applying the information in that review more or less globally. We cautioned that boats are not cranked out of a machine, but are hand made products.  By human hands, that is. So you may want to reflect on the old Russian adage that you never want to buy a refrigerator that is made on a Monday or a Friday. Or anything else, for that matter.

Carver is one of those builders whom we didn't see much point in mentioning, for the caliber of their products are well known, and a buyer would have to have been asleep for the past twenty years, or simply too lazy to do any research at all, not to know what kind of boats they build. Surveyors have long considered them to be little more than floating campers, and are often heard to make jokes such as "they forgot to put the wheels on this one."

Then, very early in the decade, we started hearing talk that Carver was trying to reinvent itself by entering the mid-sized boat market, and was turning out a higher quality product. Well, "better quality" is a phrase that always gets our attention, so we started paying more attention to Carver. Sure, we've surveyed plenty of their small boats, but didn't see much point in commenting on them. If you do your shopping at a discount store, you know what kind of quality you're getting. By the mid 1990's we were hearing a lot of talk about Carver, mainly by the broker/dealer types, favorably comparing this new line of boats to some of the higher end boats like Hatteras or Viking. Surveyors, of course, don't get to survey new boats very often. Typically, we don't survey a boat until its 3 years or older. What we were seeing in the boat shows and at the dealer's docks certainly looked good. But, then, all new boats look good. It takes a while for the shine to wear off and the boat has some miles under its bilge before we begin to see whether they're really made of the right stuff.

Now, when a builder enters the larger boat market, particularly with boats priced well over 1/4 million, that attracts our interest. Not because we're interested in the higher rollers, but to see what a builder can get away with in this price range. (Sort of like wondering if you could sell a Rolls Royce with plastic bumpers.) And also when the literature is peppered with words like quality and craftsmanship.

Our first good look came in 1995 with Hurricane Opal in the Florida panhandle when we got to see a couple of damaged 43's.  There's nothing like examining a boat that's been broken apart (or not broken apart) by a storm to really get a good look at how they're made. For this is where all the cost and corner cutting begins to stick out like a sore thumb. And what we were seeing wasn't looking too good. Our first example was a one year old 43 footer that broke its moorings and was driven up onto a sandy shore in the courtyard of a condominium. This boat really caught a lot of attention because it had part of a helm chair imbedded in the side of the hull. Yep, the base of a helm chair was sticking right out

On close examination, it was pretty easy to see how that had happened. The hull sides were balsa cored and the exterior fiberglass skin was somewhere around 1/8" to maybe 3/16" thick. The glass was so thin that you could swing a small hammer at it with only moderate force and it would go right through.  We know because we tried that. The other boat had small holes punctured in the sides all around the hull, but what really caught our attention was the fact that it also had creases in the hull sides where it had scraped against the gunwales of other boats. That's creases like you'd get in your car door if you brushed up against the bumper of another car.   This one also had only 1/8" glass on the sides. Fiberglass is strong stuff, but not that strong.

Dent's and creases in a fiberglass hull? Now that's something we've never seen before. But the glass on this boat was also so thin that creasing it was made possible. Then we starting thinking and comparing these two Carvers with the 46 Bertram just down the road that broke loose, wiped out half a marina, took out part of a restaurant built on 12' telephone pole pilings and ended up in a heap against a concrete retaining wall with a pile of other boats. It didn't have a single hole in the side, even though the hull side of that boat was only around 3/8" thick. You can see pictures of it in the 46 Bertram review.

Carver370-1.JPG

Hole cut here is for a test coupon in way of area where outer laminate started peeling off. The hull is about 1/4" thick in this area and is delaminated. Bottom flexing was so bad here that even the paint flaked off. The delamination can be seen inside the hole.

Our next exposure came with a 46 Carver wherein the owner had decided to add a cockpit extension to the hull. After going into the yard, the after interior was stripped out, then they removed the exhaust pipes from the transom.  Problem was, water started pouring out of the balsa cored transom and hull sides.  Seems Carver thought it was a good idea to core the hull right down to the chine, well below the water line. But worse, for all the through hull openings and exhaust pipes, they just cut holes right through the core and bedded the fittings and pipes in place. Now builders have know ever since the 1960's that you can't do this, but apparently Carver didn't. So when the fittings inevitably leaked, the core filled up with water.

But there was another problem. Once again, both the  outer and inner laminates were so thin that the yard discovered, much to their surprise, that there wasn't enough material to bond an extension to. The hull was simply too weak to add onto it. At least for the amount they had quoted in the customer's contract. On the inside, over the balsa core, was only ONE layer of mat and roving for a laminate thickness of about 1/16".

It is our policy that we do not publish instances of hull failures or defects of any kind unless we can establish a pattern of defects. All boat builders make mistakes, and its not our purpose to go around pointing them out. The defect has to be endemic to their way of doing things. Moreover, we are extremely careful to make sure that the boat wasn't abused or damaged by some other means. We do not wish to sully anyone's reputation, so unless we find multiple instances of defects or poor design, we keep quiet about it. The boat that put Carver over the threshold for us is this 1994 model 370 that experienced massive bottom laminate failure.

This is a story we're telling with pictures because they speak for themselves. What you see here is a hull that has so little fiberglass in it, that is so thin that it is simply falling apart. At best, the bottom laminate around the unsupported panels (between frames) is one quarter inch thick. It looks a little thicker where you see the test hole cut because the bottom is delaminated and spread apart. Worse yet, of that 1/4" you can see that there are multiple layers of chopped strand mat, a material that is only used (or should be used) to prevent telegraphing of the weave pattern of the structural fabrics through to the gelcoat. In this case the mat, which is a very weak material, comprises a major part of the bottom laminate thickness, at least 25%.

What you see here is a catestrophic hull failure in progess. It was caught in time, before the boat sank, after the boat was hauled out and discovered that parts of the bottom laminate were peeling off.  What you see here is the inevitable result of what happens when the bean counters get involved in the design of a boat in order to produce it as cheaply as possible. What you see here is the result of a conscious decision to use as little clostly materials as possible, not just in one or two boats, but throughout a product line. Its what happens when you design a hull to the edge of failure limits: some of them are going to fail. What you see here is a boat that cannot be repaired and, unless the builder is willing to refund the sales price, is likely to be tied up in litigation for years.

Carver370-2.JPG

This is a very rare shot of bottom panel flexing so bad that it completely outlines the inner hull frames. Note the rectangular pattern. The horizontal cracks outline the stringers, while the vertical cracks outline the bulkheads or frames.

Carver370-4.JPG

These circular pattern stress cracks are the more typical pattern that indicates bottom flexing. Note that at extreme left, these cracks have been painted over several times, indicating that they are not newly formed. Highly irregular patterns at far right are areas of delamination that are about to fail. At bottom, the strake is badly cracked and is in danger of splitting open.

Consider that the advertised weight of this boat is 17,500 lbs. and that a comparably sized Hatteras of same vintage comes in around 32,000 lbs. If you price a boat by the pound, which we often do for purposes of comparison, you are looking at a difference of almost DOULBE the weight. If you subtract the difference in average per pound cost in materials between the two, the conclusion you must draw is inescapable. And in case you've never made the connection, there is a direct correlation between weight, longevity and quality of ALL products; well made things simply weigh more, whether its a Rolex watch or a Rolls Royce. Even a good toaster is going to weigh more than a cheap toaster. To be well made, it not only must have more material, but better material.

There's no excuse for this sort of thing, or course. This is not high technology stuff here; mankind has been successfully building good boats for thousands of years, and fiberglass boats for over 40 years, boats that are reasonably priced, and boats that don't fall apart. And while its easy to blame the builder, increasingly we are turning our attention to the boating public that buys products like this without discernment. The fact is that you can't ever have your cake and eat it too. Unless you have two cakes. People who shop price alone don't have two cakes; they can only afford one.

Carver370-3.JPG

Stress cracks outline the hull stringers extending nearly all the way aft.

Its the competitive nature of of capitalism that some manufacturers will attempt to capture market share by reducing the price below all competitors. Of course they cannot stay in business if they don't also reduce the cost of manufacturing by an equal amount. Companies must make a profit to survive. This unfortunate nature of capitalism means that inevitably  the cost/quality relationship of manufactured products is going to spiral downward to the least common denominator, ending up with what you see in these photos. We end up with boats little better than so-called mobile homes.   And when the big wind comes along, everyone looks to the taxpayers to pay the cost of their stupidity. You don't have that luxury with a boat.

Boat builders are not going to stop producing products like this, no matter how much pressure is put on them to do otherwise. The problem is market driven, and must be solved by the market. That means that unless and until the boating public becomes more discerning about the products they buy, they are going to continue to get burned. We shouldn't forget that capitalism is democracy in action. We cast a vote every time we buy something. That vote tells manufacturers what you want in terms of quality and price. They don't know whether you are knowledgeable or stupid; if you know what you bought, or of you just bought it blind. They only know that this is what sells. If you are willing to make a $250,000 purchase indiscriminately based on price alone, the manufacturer will be willing to take the same risk and design the quality right down to the bare bones, and below, in order to give it to you. Even if it takes both of you right down the drain. Once the downward spiral starts, the builders really haven't much choice. They either meet the market or perish. Its you, the boat buyer, who holds all the cards.

Consider that Hatteras has pretty much abandoned the mid-sized boat market. And so has Viking. Consider that Bertram and Blackfin are out of business. Consider that a lot of other quality builders have met the same fate. See what's happening here? Low quality is driving out good quality, because that's what the market wants.

That's why we find it hard to blame the builder for this sort of thing.

carver yachts reviews

David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:

  • " Mid Size Power Boats " (2003)
  • " Buyers’ Guide to Outboard Boats " (2002)
  • " Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats " (2001, 2nd Edition - 2005)
  • " Marine Investigations " (2004).

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.

Biography - Long version

Boat Reviews Articles At-A-Glance

  • Introduction to Boat Reviews
  • Albemarle 305
  • Aquasport 215
  • Baha 260 Targa (not "Baja")
  • Bertram Yachts
  • Bertram Yachts: Introduction
  • Bertram 26.6 II
  • Bertram 28 II
  • Bertram 30 Express
  • Bertram 30 Moppie
  • Bertram 31 SF
  • Bertram 33 SF
  • Bertram 36 Moppie
  • Bertram 42 Convertible
  • Bertram 46 Convertible
  • Blackfin Yachts
  • Blackfin 29 SF
  • Blackfin 29 Combi
  • Blackfin 32 Flybridge
  • Blackfin 33
  • Boston Whaler Outrage 26
  • Cabo 31 Sport Express
  • Century 3000
  • Chris-Craft 302 Crown
  • Contender 25
  • Cranchi Mediterranee 40
  • Cruisers 4270 Esprit
  • Cruisers 4280
  • Glacier Bay 2640 Renegade
  • Grady-White Offshore 24
  • Grady-White 24 Voyager
  • Grady White 272 Sailfish
  • Grand Banks 42
  • Gulfstar 43  Trawler-style Yacht
  • Hatteras Yachts
  • Hatteras Yachts: Introduction
  • Hatteras 36 Convertible
  • Hatteras 38 Convertible
  • Hatteras 38 Convertible - Updated Review
  • Hatteras 39 Sport Express
  • Hatteras 45 Convertible
  • Hatteras 52 Convertible
  • Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht & Convertible
  • Hatteras 61 Motor Yacht
  • Hyatt 45 CMY
  • Intrepid 289
  • Island Gypsy 40
  • Legacy 34 Express
  • Luhrs 320 Open
  • Luhrs 34 - 340 F.B. Sedan
  • Luhrs Tournament 350
  • Luhrs Tournament 360
  • Mainship 31
  • Mainship 350 Trawler
  • Mako 221- Updated 11/05/99
  • Maxum 4600 1998
  • Morgan 462 Ketch
  • Offshore 48
  • Post 46 Convertible
  • Pursuit 2855
  • Pursuit 3000 Offshore
  • Pursuit 3070 CC
  • Sea Ray and Balsa Core Bottoms (from "Structural Issues")
  • Sea Ray 250 Sundancer
  • Sea Ray Sundancer 290
  • Sea Say Sundancer 290 Update
  • Sea Ray 370 AC
  • Sea Ray 39 Express
  • Sea Ray 500
  • Shamrock 26
  • Thompson Santa Cruz 2700
  • Tiara Yachts
  • Tiara Today
  • Tiara 3100 Open
  • Tiara 3600 Convertible
  • Tiara 3600 Open
  • Topaz 28_1981
  • Trojan 10-8 Meter
  • Trojan 14 Meter Convertible
  • Trojan 440 Express
  • Viking 43 Open
  • from Buying a Boat cat.
  • Marlin Monroe 42 Bertram Convertible Make an Old Boat New
  • A Few Favorites

Mid Size Power Boats

  • Basic Considerations
  • Boat Types: Which is Right for You?
  • Old Boats, New Boats and Quality
  • Basic Hull Construction
  • Evaluating Boat Hulls
  • Performance and Sea Keeping
  • Decks & Superstructure
  • Stress Cracks,Finishes and Surface Defects
  • Power Options
  • The Engine Room
  • Electrical & Plumbing Systems
  • Design Details
  • Steering, Controls, Systems & Equipment
  • The Art of the Deal
  • Boat Shopping
  • The Survey & Post Survey
  • Boat Builders by Company

Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats (2E)

  • What is Pre-Purchase Survey?
  • Business Practices and Client Relations
  • Sound vs. Seaworthiness
  • Hull and Its Structure
  • Surveying the Hull
  • Using Moisture Meters
  • Stress Cracks & Surface Irregularities
  • Deck & Superstructure
  • Drive Train
  • Gas Engines
  • Fuel Systems
  • Exhaust Systems
  • Electrical Systems
  • Plumbing Systems

Mid Size Power Boats

Published by: D. H. Pascoe & Co., Inc. Articles, Images: Copyright © 1997 - 2018 David H. Pascoe All rights reserved. Articles, Images: Copyright © 2019-2022 Junko A. Pascoe All rights reserved. Web site design & developement: Copyright © 1997 - 2023 Junko A. Pascoe All rights reserved. Web site: Maintained by Junko A. Pascoe

The PowerBoat Guide Blog

Tracking Today’s Fast-Paced Yacht Brokerage Market

(placeholder)

  • SAMPLE PAGES

(placeholder)

"The stability of the hull underway was due in part to the low profile design of this pilothouse style cruiser and the hull design by Carver engineers... This elegant and well-designed cruising yacht offers comfort and style without giving up luxury. "

–BoatTest.com

"Surprisingly, for a boat of this size, all-round visibility from the pilothouse is excellent, even looking aft through the main saloon, thanks to the clever layout of the windows. There’s no black spots on this boat, which gives the skipper control of the vessel at all times."

–yachtandboat.com

"Long before we started the big Volvo Pentas, the Carver 570 Voyager impressed me with her thoughtful arrangement plan, standard equipment, materials and workmanship. The company's goal is to build comfortable, luxurious cruising yachts at a reasonable price, and this boat fits the profile nicely."

–Yachting Magazine

"Throughout a variety of maneuvers, including hard turns and offshore speed runs, the 570 gave us a stable, solid ride. It handled responsively, and had a tight turning radius for its size."

–Boating World Magazine

Owner and editor of the PowerBoat Guide, Ed is a contributing writer for Denison Yacht Sales.

carver yachts reviews

Carver has been building motor yachts longer than many of today’s yacht brokers have been out of grade school. Beginning with a succession of popular aft cabin models in the 1980s, by the early 2000s the Carver fleet had grown to include several cruising yachts in the 50-foot range. These were good years for the yachting industry and Carver rode a wave of sales success with several midsize motor yachts and cruisers. Among them were four notable models over 50 feet in length that became market leaders in their category. Profiled below, Carver sold so many of these yachts that they are now easily found on every big-boat brokerage market in the country.

It all came to a halt with the Great Recession in 2007, but even though parent company Genmar went bankrupt in 2009 Carver never stopped building boats. The company was restructured, new owners took over and today Carver has resumed its place as one of America’s truly iconic builders.

carver yachts reviews

A versatile layout and affordable price made the 570 a huge sales success for Carver.

(placeholder)

2001 Model (CT) .................................... $449,000

2002 Model (FL) ..................................... $325,000

2002 Model (FL) ..................................... $499,000

2003 Model (MI) ..................................... $395,000

2003 Model (TN) .................................... $399,000

2004 Model (NY) .................................... $425,000

2004 Model (FL) ..................................... $475,000

"Solid construction, access for easy upgrades, a desirable layout, and long-life diesel engines combine for a sought-after cruiser on the brokerage market, and Carver’s Voyager 560 checks off all the boxes."

–Power& Motoryacht Magazine

"Luxury and comfort await in three very accommodating staterooms. Newly designed vertical hull portholes bathe the full beam master stateroom in warm, natural light. Add to this a generously appointed interior that’s as beautiful as it is practical, and the 560 Voyager is an irresistible retreat ready-made for family and friends."

–topspeed.com

"From her three sumptuous cabins to the spacious salon to the well-appointed flying bridge, this motor yacht is loaded with big features and small details. Add the comfort and versatility of the contemporary dual-station layout and you’ve got a winner. The Voyager is truly the total package- style, luxury, engineering, and value."

The 560 Voyager’s sleek appearance and superior accommodations struck the right note with buyers.

(placeholder)

Typical MLS Listings*

2004 Model (FL) .................................... $475,000

2005 Model (FL) ..................................... $515,000

2004 Model (TN) .................................... $459,000

2006 Model (AL) .................................... $539,000

2007 Model (KS) .................................... $539,000

carver yachts reviews

*Compiled in June, 2019

(placeholder)

"Carver pays meticulous attention to the craftmanship and technology of its yachts. .. If your taste runs toward a big comfortable cruising yacht with the kind of style that satisfies both the mind and eye, Carver’s 530 Voyager Pilothouse just might be your starship."

–Boattest.com

"The essence of the change at Carver is most evident in the Voyager's pilothouse where the skipper sits in solitary splendor. Among the more pleasant aspects of the boat was the conversation-level silent running and the livability below while underway."

–Boating Magazine

The 530’s classic pilothouse lines will probably always be in style, and the spacious cherry wood interior ranked with the most comfortable cruising yachts of her day.

–PowerBoat Guide

1998 Model (CA) .................................... $299,000

1998 Model (VA) .................................... $220,000

1999 Model (MS) ................................... $289,000

1999 Model (FL) .................................... $210,000

2000 Model (MA) ................................... $230,000

2000 Model (ME) ................................... $280,000

2001 Model (FL) .................................... $289,000

2001 Model (FL) .................................... $325,000

No other midsize motoryacht of her day surpassed the sales popularity of the 530 Voyager.

(placeholder)

The vast interior spaces of the Carver 506 are perfect for entertaining family and friends.

(placeholder)

"...the 506 is an impressive design with an appealing modern approach to styling. Her 51-foot, 7-inch LOA and 15-foot, 4-inch beam are common for a yacht of her type, but within those dimensions Carver delivers a layout one might find on a 60-footer."

"Carver makes great use of the 15'4" beam in the 506 by pushing out the salon nearly to the hullsides. But how can that be? What happened to the sidedecks? They're still there, but they have been raised well above the hull's sheerline."

"The 506 is an aft-cabin motoryacht that combines the aft deck and pilothouse into a single, wide-open space under a hardtop. This design, combined with accommodations for six, makes her ideal for long-range cruising in any weather."

–Boattest.com  

2000 Model (MD) ................................... $209,000

2000 Model (MO) ................................... $289,000

2000 Model (MN) ................................... $229,000

2001 Model (NY) .................................... $275,000

2001 Model (IL) ...................................... $225,000

2002 Model (IL) ...................................... $329,000

2002 Model (FL) ..................................... $394,000

2001 Model (FL) ..................................... $234,000

carver yachts reviews

Ed is the editor and publisher of the PowerBoat Guide.

carver yachts reviews

4 Top Selling Carver Motor Yachts That Are Always in Demand

Carver 570 Voyager, 2001–05

Carver 560 Voyager, 2004–09

Carver 530 Voyager, 1998–2005

Carver 506 Motor Yacht, 2000–03

(placeholder)

  • THE PRINCESS PASSPORT
  • Email Newsletter
  • Yacht Walkthroughs
  • Destinations
  • Electronics
  • Best Marine Electronics & Technology
  • Boating Safety

Yachting Magazine logo

Carver 41 CMY

  • By John Wooldridge
  • Updated: October 4, 2007

Getting away is an integral part of the great American dream. For yacht owners who love to cruise with friends or family, the idea of trading shoreside routine for a few days or a week or more afloat beckons on a daily basis. The folks at Carver Yachts who plan, build and deliver cruisers and motoryachts like the new 41 CMY keep this concept firmly in mind.

One of the mandatory principles of getting away means finding not only a new anchorage or destination, but it also implies carving out a bit more time and space for yourself. For Carver, this includes time and space on board as well. The truth about cruising is that after several days together, everybody-spouses, siblings, friends-needs a little time away from each other. And this is where Carver’s designers have excelled-giving the new 41 CMY features that promote togetherness yet allow privacy when desired.

At anchor, tied to the dock or underway, the exterior intrigues with possibilities. On the flying bridge are two pivoting helm chairs, an L-shaped bench that seats three adults and a small wet bar that can house an optional refrigerator. It’s an inviting elevated platform from which to admire your surroundings or, more practically, to keep watch on kids and guests enjoying the water. Of course, this is also an excellent viewpoint for more mundane pursuits, such as running the boat (and, with all the extra seating, for keeping the helmsman company).

Molded stairs with courtesy lights and good handholds connecting the bridge to the raised aft deck make access much more comfortable than having to climb a ladder. The standard fiberglass hardtop adds protection from the elements and covers the entire 60-square-foot aft deck, which has a built-in bench seat across the back as well as enough room for a couple of folding chairs. The tall locker on the centerline forward is outfitted for fender and line storage, but an optional icemaker is available if the idea of dashing below every time you need ice begins to seem tiresome. And to help protect this area from too much wind when running, two clear acrylic wind doors are standard.

Wing doors open and lock into place when you need to go forward for anchor or line-handling duties. Large-diameter, welded grab rails above the side windows and on top of stout stanchions, set in the molded toerail, add security for those using the side decks. A windlass package with anchor, rope and chain is standard to take the effort out of anchor retrieval, and four large stainless steel cleats that will take stout docking lines are positioned for easy access and fair leads to the dock.

Molded stairs also lead down to the 57-square-foot aft cockpit, a grand retreat for a couple of folding chairs when the yacht is at rest and the owners want a private getaway for sunning, reading or, a little less privately, watching swimmers and divers using the 35-square-foot boarding platform. There are two shallow lockers with doors on the inside of the transom for shore-service hook-ups-including two 30 amp connectors, one of which is dedicated to the standard three-zone, 33,000 BTU air conditioner/heater-plus TV, telephone and water. Carver includes two 50-foot shorepower cords as part of the package, plus a 7.3 kW gasoline genset (an 8 kW Kohler is available for boats with diesel power) to keep your systems live no matter where you’re boating.

One of the best features of this new design is the private, screened sliding door leading into the master cabin aft. Even with guests or children in the forward stateroom, and perhaps another one or two in the saloon, sleeping on the Flexsteel foldout bed/settee, you can get up early to explore or find coffee and breakfast ashore, or stay up late to enjoy a starlit anchorage, without rousing or disturbing anybody.

Solitude is golden. And if you’re keeping to a schedule, such an arrangement also means you can slip up to the flying bridge and get an early start, letting the crew snooze a little longer. This boat is set up so that it can easily be operated by one person or-more enjoyably-a couple. And the performance is stellar, particularly with the optional 370 hp Volvo D6 inboards on our test boat. Factory figures show an approximate fuel burn of 28 gph at a cruise speed of 22 knots, giving a range of roughly 254 nautical miles and 11.5 hours of running time, with a 10 percent reserve, before refueling. At a top speed of 26 knots, the burn rate increases to 41 gph, and the range, with the same reserve, is slightly less at 205 nautical miles, with a running time of 8.1 hours.

Handling the 41 CMY is straightforward, exactly the kind of consistent, confidence-building ride I’ve come to expect from Carver’s designs. Hydraulic steering is a real arm saver, and large flush-mount trim tabs make balancing the boat easy in a crosswind. You won’t need them most of the time, however, as this modified-V hull comes up onto plane in 12 to 13 seconds with this engine package and makes quick work of wind chop and wakes. I was impressed not only with the low-speed maneuverability afforded by the large, four-bladed props, but also with the optional bow thruster that kicked the nose quickly and positively to one side or the other to simplify docking.

The saloon, which has 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom and Carver’s signature two-level windows (for good views out the sides whether you’re sitting or standing), is raised slightly above the galley and dinette level forward. It blends easy-on-the-eyes decorator fabrics with smooth-to-the-touch cherry wood cabinetry, doors and dinette tabletop. The soft carpet underfoot gives the saloon a distinct home-like charm that will put you and your guests at ease. The comfortable Flexsteel settee and chair provide out-of-the-way comfortable seating, perfect for watching the 20-inch LCD TV with DVD and AM/FM/CD stereo and satellite radio system. The L-shaped galley is sized for hearty-meal preparation, and includes items as standard that you really don’t want to be without: recessed coffeemaker, built-in convection/microwave/grill oven, two-burner smooth-top electric range and a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. Both staterooms have private-access head compartments, but the split-function layout of the head in the master stateroom is especially useful.

Lift the engine hatches in the saloon sole and you get a good idea of the kind of yacht that Carver builds. Double-gusseted steel plates anchor the engine to the stout fiberglass stringer system. Aquamet prop shafts and dripless shaft logs transfer power to Nibral props held in place by strong 421 manganese bronze struts-though you’ll have to wait to see the last two components when the boat is in the slings. You’ll also have to visit the factory to see the way veteran Carver employees hand lay-up the solid fiberglass bottom with Knytez substrates and a vinylester barrier coat. Tinned, color-coded wiring harnesses, as well as plumbing, fuel line and cooling water runs, are all neatly installed and well protected against chafing.

With 50 years of experience building quality cruisers and motoryachts, and a dedicated work force that sometimes runs into second and third generation craftsmen, Carver continues to produce high-quality yachts for the getaways of your life. They’re on the leading edge of companies that integrate latest-technology materials and methods, but they also never lose sight of the point of all this innovation: the customer’s comfort.

Carver Yachts, (920) 822-3214; www.carveryachts.com .

  • More: Carver , Long Range Cruisers , Motoryachts
  • More Yachts

Energy Observer

“Energy Observer” Zero-Emission Boat Showcases Sustainability

Princess Yachts Y95

Princess Yachts’ Y95: A Flagship Flybridge

Sanlorenzo SX120

Sanlorenzo, Volvo Penta Announce Partnership

Galeon Yachts

Galeon Yachts 560 Fly Wins The Day

Sirena 68

For Sale: 2023 Sirena 68

ACR ResQLink AIS PLB

Saving Yourself With ACR’s PLB

Resilience

Charter Clients, Start Your Engines

Leopard 47 Powercat

For Sale: 2008 Leopard 47 Powercat

Yachting Magazine logo

  • Digital Edition
  • Customer Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Email Newsletters
  • Cruising World
  • Florida Travel + Life
  • Sailing World
  • Salt Water Sportsman
  • Sport Fishing
  • Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Yachting may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Yachting. A Bonnier LLC Company . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

carver yachts reviews

Carver Owners Forum

Discuss Carver Boats and Yachts at the best Carver Owners Forum on the net!

Skip to content

  • Quick links
  • Portal Forum General Carver Owners Forum Carver Yachts Forum - Model Discussion
  • It is currently Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:07 pm
  • All times are UTC

Carver yacht quality?

User avatar

Post by Mpaiola » Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:15 am

Canada

Re: Carver yacht quality?

Post by Viper » Sat Sep 19, 2020 2:30 pm

Post by km1125 » Sat Sep 19, 2020 2:41 pm

Post by Cooler » Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:00 pm

Post by bud37 » Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:27 pm

Mpaiola wrote: Source of the post Hi all, new here. Probably a bit late to be asking, but how do the older Carvers rate in quality? Purchased one last fall and am in the final stages of a complete refurb. Boat was in excellent shape, just needed the usual cosmetics, engine and drive work, etc. The reason I'm quizzing folks is some comments by my insurance man. He balked at the estimated value, and made a couple of vague statements like "well, its not a Chris Craft ". Anything I should be watching out for? All comments greatly appreciated.

User avatar

Post by Austinorson » Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:48 am

Post by Capn Crunch » Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:56 am

Post by Flanders4128 » Mon May 09, 2022 12:16 am

Post by waybomb » Mon May 09, 2022 4:40 pm

Return to “Carver Yachts Forum - Model Discussion”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests

carver yachts reviews

  • Portal Forum

This is a meeting place for Carver Yacht Owners. In this community, we discuss cruising, mechanical issues, gatherings, and we make a lot of friends. We hope you enjoy your visit and come back frequently! PLEASE NOTE: 'Carver Yachts' is a trademark of Marquis Yachts, LLC. CarverYachtOwners.com is an independent, worldwide club of Carver owners. ALSO NOTE: There is NO affiliation whatsoever between CarverYachtOwners.com and Marquis Yachts, LLC.

  • Frank Magazine
  • Denison History
  • Virtual Tours
  • Alaskan Yachts
  • Azimut Yachts
  • Back Cove Yachts
  • Beneteau Yachts
  • Benetti Superyachts
  • Bertram Yachts
  • Boston Whaler
  • Broward Yachts
  • Buddy Davis Sportfish
  • Burger Yachts
  • Cabo Yachts
  • Carver Motoryachts
  • Center Console
  • Chris-Craft Yachts
  • Cruisers Yachts
  • DeFever Trawlers
  • Dufour Sailboats
  • Fairline Yachts
  • Feadship Yachts
  • Ferretti Yachts
  • Formula Yachts
  • Fountaine Pajot Cats
  • Grady-White
  • Grand Banks Trawlers
  • Hargrave Yachts
  • Hatteras Yachts
  • Hinckley Picnic Boats
  • Horizon Yachts
  • Hydra-Sports
  • Intrepid Boats
  • Jarrett Bay Sportfish
  • Jeanneau Yachts
  • Kadey-Krogen Trawlers
  • Lazzara Yachts
  • Luhrs Sportfish
  • Marlow Yachts
  • Maritimo Yachts
  • Marquis Yachts
  • McKinna Motoryachts
  • Meridian Yachts
  • Midnight Express
  • Mochi Craft
  • Neptunus Motoryachts
  • Nordhavn Trawlers
  • Nordic Tugs
  • Ocean Alexander Yachts
  • Offshore Yachts
  • Oyster Sailing Yachts
  • Pacific Mariner Yachts
  • Palmer Johnson Yachts
  • Pershing Yachts
  • Prestige Yachts
  • Princess Yachts
  • Pursuit Yachts
  • Riva Yachts
  • Riviera Yachts
  • Sabre Downeast
  • San Lorenzo Yachts
  • Sea Ray Boats
  • SeaVee Central Consoles
  • Selene Trawlers
  • Scout Yachts
  • Sunseeker Yachts
  • Tiara Yachts
  • Trinity Superyachts
  • Viking Yachts
  • Westport Yachts

450 Carver Voyager

Carver Yachts

Source: Elton Ellis, Sea Magazine

Carver’s 450 Voyager Pilothouse has all the comforts of home — and then some

Right now, pilothouse motoryachts just might be the hottest boats on the water.

Part of the reason for these boats’ wide appeal is their practical use of onboard space. The well-equipped inside steering station is both accommodating for the skipper and comfortable for guests who want to be part of the action at the helm.

Last year, Carver Yachts’ flagship 530 Voyager Pilothouse proved to be one of the most successful new models the company has ever introduced. So successful, in fact, Carver sold 63 of them in 1998 and is now building an average of 2.5 of these boats a week.

But not everyone is looking for a 53-foot boat. For buyers who want just as many amenities and the same basic layout in a smaller, midsize version, Carver has just introduced its new 450 Voyager Pilothouse.

We took a close look at the new 450 Voyager Pilothouse with Jim Berkebile, Carver’s vice president of new product engineering. The 450 offers a truly luxurious interior, two feature-packed helms and an overall sense of style that is rarely matched in a boat of this size.

This new Carver also offers better-than-ever performance, thanks to an all-new 46-foot, 11-inch hull. Twin tunnels are built into the bottom to protect the boat’s propellers and minimize drag — but the overall hull design is still basically a modified-V configuration with around 16 degrees of deadrise.

The resulting design, when coupled with a pair of 450C Cummins diesels, allows a top speed of 22 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots at 2,400 rpm.

Under way, the 450 offers responsive handling, a rock-solid ride and predictable performance. The twin Cummins diesels run quietly, making normal conversation aboard possible, even at top speeds.

One Posh Pad The 450 Voyager Pilothouse’s exterior is stylish — full of curves and radiused surfaces. Window frames are rounded, which reportedly helps prevent leaks; and door frames inside and out are rounded, too.

But all it takes to appreciate the way Carver built the new 450 Voyager Pilothouse is to step aboard.

Walk into the cockpit of the 450, and you’ll find a wide-open area that’s big enough for sportfishing, protected by high gunwales and a shade-providing dinghy deck (on the flybridge, above). There’s an opening transom gate and a wide molded-in swim platform, for convenience when you’re diving with friends or bringing aboard a monster billfish catch.

Engine room access is through a hatch in the cockpit sole. The compartment has stainless steel non-skid surfaces on its floor, and it is well-laid-out for easy access to the boat’s powerplants.

Along with the boat’s standard twin 330 hp or optional 450 hp Cummins diesels, there’s a Kohler auxiliary generator (9 kw is standard; but a 13 kw model is required for boats with air conditioning). Forward, an equipment bulkhead offers a neatly arranged set of battery switches, a bank of batteries and an optional Xchanger oil exchange system.

Instead of a ladder, the 450’s cockpit has easy-to-climb molded-in steps leading up to the flybridge, to starboard. And a few more molded-in steps on the port side lead to the sidedecks and foredeck area, protected by a sweeping stainless steel rail.

You enter the saloon by grabbing a sculpted piece of stainless steel hardware and passing through a curved sliding door, imported from the United Kingdom. It’s a work of art in itself — but when you open it, you’ll gaze upon another eye-catcher, opposite the entry: a wet bar with a mirrored sink and craftsman like cherry wood cabinetry.

A comfortable L-shaped settee is to port, with double built-in recliners — as comfortable as the La-Z-Boy at home, but a lot more elegant. It’s fronted by a high-low table that opens up to double its size for cocktails and dining.

Another settee is located to starboard, which converts to a berth for guests.

Entertainment features in the saloon include a color television and a Harmon Kardon stereo system.

The pilothouse is two steps up from the saloon, forward of the smaller settee. It offers a whopping seven feet of headroom, and is open to the saloon for easy conversation under way. There’s a large settee opposite the helm station, so that four to six people can relax with the skipper and enjoy the pilothouse’s remarkable 360 degree view.

The 450’s helm seat is like something out of Star Trek: an Ultraleather upholstered command chair with optional six-way power, for maximum comfort. A joystick, built into the left armrest, can be used for one-touch steering and to control the autopilot.

Buyers have a choice of two types of electronics packages: a fully equipped upper station, for use as the primary steering station, or a dual station electronics package that provides redundancy, instead of repeaters for the pilothouse.

Our test boat featured dual station electronics by Raytheon, with a smorgasbord of tasty navigation and communications gear. Thanks to the ample space available at the helm console and mounting areas overhead, the 450 can handle enough equipment to meet just about any need — whether you’re interested in long-range cruising or short harbor-to-harbor hops.

A full array of multifunction gauges is standard, and there’s an electrical panel with the boat’s most-used circuits (the full electrical panel is located in the master stateroom).

The test boat also had an optional video monitor to keep an eye on the engine room. (If you see a foot of water down there, you know you’re in trouble.) We also had bow thrusters (with duplicate controls on the flybridge), an air conditioning unit to serve the pilothouse and windshield defoggers for cold mornings on the water.

A single pilothouse door provides access to the starboard sidedeck. A beefy 1.25 inch top rail with two safety rails mounted below it provide maximum security when you’re moving around the foredeck and sidedecks. A sliding gate built into the port side rail allows convenient dock access.

At the foredeck, there’s a sunpad with a channeled fiberglass mounting surface that drains water from the area quickly. The bow offers an anchor windlass and a pair of compartments for storing line and ground tackle. A spotlight is mounted on the bow rail.

On Top of the World The 450’s second steering station is easily accessible from the cockpit, from those molded-in steps mentioned earlier. You enter through a hatch in the flybridge deck, which can be closed in bad weather.

The bridge towers high above the water and has a surprising amount of entertainment space. It’s wide and open, yet there’s a feeling of safety, thanks to high sides and a wrap-around windshield.

As you enter, a large dinghy storage deck is aft, which can hold up to an 8.5-foot dinghy and an optional Marquipt davit — or it can serve as an additional sunpad area. Forward, there’s a sink and an icemaker (or an optional refrigerator) to starboard, and settee seating on both sides. The portside settee has a round high-low table and plenty of room for four to six adults. The smaller settee, to starboard, offers seating for two.

Swivel bucket seats are provided for the helm and companion positions, behind a curved wrap-around windshield. The flybridge helm on our test boat was equipped with a full array of multifunction gauges, a compass and a sophisticated optional electronics package that included a Raytheon Raydata navigation system and an autopilot. The flybridge also has its own stereo system — one of three separate systems on the boat. Everything in Its Place Just a few steps away from the saloon’s reclining settee is a well-designed galley. In fact, it’s so well designed, it doesn’t look like a galley, and it functions as an expansive walkway between the saloon and the two forward staterooms.

The spacious galley area is well appointed, with maple hardwood flooring, solid-surface Karadon countertops, a solid-surface sink with a designer faucet and a cutting board that fits over the sink when it is not in use. There’s also a three-burner countertop range, a roomy Nova Cool undercounter refrigerator/freezer, a built-in coffeemaker and a microwave oven.

Options include a dishwasher and a trash compactor — and without them, there’s an amazing 30 cubic feet of storage space aboard.

The staterooms are just three steps down from the galley, at the end of an alcove that offers built-in lighted shelves, suitable for displaying artwork.

To starboard, the master stateroom features a queen-size berth and a stereo system, plus something you wouldn’t expect: a mirrored ceiling. There’s ample storage, with nightstands on either side of the berth, under-berth storage compartments, cherry wood cabinetry that conceals more storage and an optional washer and dryer behind sliding wooden doors.

Standing headroom is impressive, and the overhead halogen spot lighting provides a warm ambiance. The stateroom also comes with a 13-inch color television, and a sliding cabin door, so that no one will ever get hit by opening or closing doors.

The master head has curved cherry cabinetry, a fiberglass liner and a shower stall with clear plexiglass doors. It also has a mirrored overhead, which gives a feeling of spaciousness and makes the most of the room’s lighting.

A guest head is on the port side of the alcove. It is spacious and also features curved cherry cabinetry and overhead mirrors.

The adjacent forward stateroom is as large as the master, and is in fact a little brighter, thanks to light from an overhead portlight. It has a queen-size berth with under-berth storage, a 13-inch TV and cherry wood detailing.

The boat’s optional air conditioning unit is housed under this berth, encased in thick sound insulating material. And like the master, the forward stateroom has a cedar-lined hanging locker.

With all the luxury and convenience features of a much larger pilothouse motoryacht in a convenient midsize package, Carver’s new 450 Voyager Pilothouse is certain to appeal to boat buyers who appreciate having things done right. This is one boat that will make everyone aboard very comfortable.

IMAGES

  1. Carver 444: Prices, Specs, Reviews and Sales Information

    carver yachts reviews

  2. 2014 Carver Yachts 54 Voyager Review

    carver yachts reviews

  3. 2014 Carver Yachts C34 Review

    carver yachts reviews

  4. 55' Carver Luxury Yacht

    carver yachts reviews

  5. 2014 Carver Yachts C40 Gallery 552555

    carver yachts reviews

  6. 2004 Carver 57 Voyager Pilothouse Yacht For Sale

    carver yachts reviews

COMMENTS

  1. Carver Boat Reviews

    Carver 380 Santego: Used Boat Review. Steve Knauth. Jan 26, 2011. A boater in the Chicago area has found the ideal platform for viewing the city from the water. …. Read More. 1. Advertisement. The latest Carver boat reviews featuring first look videos, tests, specifications, and information resources.

  2. Carver Yacht Specs, Tests and Reviews

    Get the latest Carver Yacht specs, tests and reviews featuring models, specifications, available features, engine information, fuel consumption, and information resources. BoatingWorld ... Boat Reviews. Aquila Boat Reviews 2024 Aquila 47 Molokai Review. Boat Reviews 2024 Sea-Doo Switch 13 Sport Review. Aspen Boat Reviews 2024 Aspen C120 Review.

  3. pros and cons of older carvers

    Older Carver's. Last summer we purchased a '85 Carver Riviera. 28' with twin crusaders. Very well maintained. We are the 3rd owner, first had it for 17 years and loved the boat dearly. The 2nd owner just kept it at the marina and didn't use it. After a thorough survey, weeks of cleaning - we are very proud of her.

  4. Boat Carver 370

    In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65. On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71. Now, when a builder enters the larger boat market, particularly with boats priced well over 1/4 million, that attracts our interest.

  5. The Carver 40 is the best affordable family yacht

    Back with a boat review, I walk through and rank a 2020 Carver C40 Command Bridge. Newly remodeled and looking great, this boat hits all the marks, making it...

  6. Carver C43

    A V-drive package likely reduced Carver's overhead, and presumably the retail pricing of the C43. With a base price of $571,650, the C43 is one of the most affordable boats of her size and ilk, and even optioned out as our test boat was, she comes in less than $700,000 before negotiations.

  7. Carver C40: A Command Bridge Cruiser with Both Brains and Brawn

    The newest Carver on the water, the C40—which we had the chance to inspect at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, where we shot a C40 First Look Video—offers up room for a family or two couples to overnight and move about the boat very comfortably while enjoying a degree of privacy, all in a boat that actually fits into a 40-foot slip. (The LOA is 39'10, even with the pulpit and swim platform.)

  8. Carver 560 Voyager

    The review said, "A steady 15-knot wind provided a short chop across the water. Despite the conditions and the fact that we were running sans trim tabs, the 560 made a respectable top speed of 36 mph with her optional twin 675-horsepower Volvo Penta D12 EVC diesels at 2330 rpm.

  9. Carver C37 Coupe: Luxury, Dependability, and Performance

    The new Carver C37 Coupe is a roomy pocket yacht that's ready for adventure. Carver has been on a roll lately, introducing new boats like the C34 Command Bridge, and the C40. Now they've bridged the gap between the two, with the C37. The Carver C37 Coupe is a yacht that turns heads whether alongside the dock or carving a wake.

  10. 4 Top Selling Carver Motor Yachts That Are Always in Demand

    Carver has been building motor yachts longer than many of today's yacht brokers have been out of grade school. Beginning with a succession of popular aft cabin models in the 1980s, by the early 2000s the Carver fleet had grown to include several cruising yachts in the 50-foot range. These were good years for the yachting industry and Carver ...

  11. Carver... Good? Bad?

    As a former owner of both Mainship and Carver, I am here to tell you Carver build quality is better than Mainship. Overall design, engineering, and access was better on the Carver. The 400/404 is the same boat as the 355/356 with cockpit added. Those boats are a great compromise of size as it relates to handling.

  12. Carver 506

    Carver estimates a range of 230 miles at 20 knots. With twin 450 hp Cummins, the 506 has a base price of $600,000. Significant options include entertainment equipment, a synchronizer and a windlass with chain. Also optional are 13.5 kW or 18.5 kW generators, the latter recommended for boats with the optional air-conditioned bridge and afterdeck.

  13. Carver 59 Marquis

    Put the Carver 59 Marquis on your must-see list. If this is the opening salvo in the American response to European imports, then it's sure to be a very brief war. Contact: Carver Yachts, (920) 822-1600; www.marquisyachts.com. Carver's 59 Marquis is an American build with an intercontinental influence.

  14. Carver 34: Quick Look at an Affordable Family Cruising Boat

    The Carver 34. One of the nicest features on the 34 are the really nice wide side decks. If you've spent enough time passing through the windshield on an express cruiser, you're really going to love this. It's at least 12-13 inches wide. You get two feet side by side here. So Carver priced this boat super-competitively, at just over $320,000.

  15. Carver 41 CMY

    The folks at Carver Yachts who plan, build and deliver cruisers and motoryachts like the new 41 CMY keep this concept firmly in mind. One of the mandatory principles of getting away means finding not only a new anchorage or destination, but it also implies carving out a bit more time and space for yourself. For Carver, this includes time and ...

  16. Carver Yachts for sale

    Find Carver Yachts for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Carver Yachts to choose from. ... Reviews. Carver 530 Voyager: Widely Available, Widely Loved. Carver. Currently, Carver, a yacht builder has 393 yachts available for purchase on YachtWorld. This collection encompasses 15 newly built ...

  17. Carver yacht quality?

    My fridge crapped out last year and only two models that I know of fit my boat. Isotherm Cruise 130 $1352.00 + shipping. Same model in SS $1575.00 + shipping. Dometic CR 1110 $1100.00 + shipping. Crap!

  18. Boat Review: 396 Carver Motoryacht

    Boat Review: 396 Carver Motoryacht. The Carver 396 Motor Yacht is a boat meant for coastal cruising. She is a strong, stable ride with quality construction and good interior accommodations for two couples or a family. With the 396, Carver has managed to combine great interior headroom with open spaces throughout and many standard features at an ...

  19. 450 Carver Voyager Boat Review

    The 450 offers a truly luxurious interior, two feature-packed helms and an overall sense of style that is rarely matched in a boat of this size. This new Carver also offers better-than-ever performance, thanks to an all-new 46-foot, 11-inch hull. Twin tunnels are built into the bottom to protect the boat's propellers and minimize drag — but ...