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MizunkY
53 Posts |
 Posted - 07/23/2009 : 05:41:51 AM
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This is my first post so I'd like to say hello to all of Carver Mariner fans. I am obsessed with the 28 Carver. It's a strikingly beautiful feature rich boat.
I will be in the market for a vessel towards the end of winter/beginning of fall. The Mariner is my first choice but there are others I've been browsing as well.
I've grown up around trawling on the Chesapeake Bay on my grandfather's 36' Gulfstar trawler. I've been trying to get on the Bay ever since. I think I'm at the proper age now (however lacking experience) to have my own.
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 08:22:59 AM
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Welcome to the forum and good luck on your search for a 28. Be it Mariner or Voyager, therse are great, tough, well made boats and, properly maintained, will last virtually forever.
One thing I like about Carver, as opposed to some other makes, they classify their boat lengths at the water line. i.e. the 28's are actually 32' LOA. The 28' is length at the waterline (LWL).
These boats with a 11'+ beam actually have more floor space and head room than a lot of 32's my friends have. Plus the HUGE fly bridge.
The timing for your search is very good as well. Winter time is the best time to buy a boat. Weather is cold, boats just sitting there incurring slip and storage fees. Plus, with the economy like it is there are some really good deals out there.
I know you probably already know this but I'll say it anyway. Whatever you do, before you buy any boat, get a complete hull and mechanical survey including compression check. It will be some of the best money you will ever spend and can save you untold thousands on the back end. A well maintained boat in good condition mechanically may cost a bit more going in but once you own it you'll be very glad you did.
Keep us posted as you progress.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
Edited by - Jimbo Song on 07/23/2009 08:27:20 AM |
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Rockmeister
USA
307 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 08:55:39 AM
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Welcome to the forum and feel free to ask us questions in your search! 
79 28' Mariner twin inboard V-drive.
Western Lake Erie: Maumee Bay & The Islands |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 09:18:23 AM
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Yikes, 32'. That may be approaching the "too big for me" size, especially for a first boat. What are your thoughts on that? Don't marinas measure/rate by LOA and not LWL? I also realize docking this thing solo is going to be near impossible for awhile.
I surely plan on doing a full marine survey, compression, leak down test and oil analysis. I want to know exactly what I'm purchasing.
These boats have solid hulls below the waterline right? The 1980-1990 model specifically. |
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 10:21:13 AM
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The hulls are all totally solid, no core. The only cored parts are in the fly bridge. A good surveyor can easily make sure there are no soft spots by using a phenolic hammer to do soundings.
Parking these things, with twin engines is like parking a baby buggy and easily handled solo.
When you rent your slip, all they will look at is the registration which will show 28'.
Trust me, the first time you run this boat you will be hooked!
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 10:58:42 AM
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Very cool. Now you have me even more excited. I have heard that balsa cored hulls are junk even though a majority of manufacturers use/used them.
I hope I'll be able to find the right Mariner. I don't mind spending more up front for a vessel in better condition. I will keep you guys updated on my progress once I seriously start looking.
Will we be able to find V drive parts for years to come? Also, since most of these didn't come with a genset, how does everyone fare without one? How could we possibly run air-conditioning, stereo, lights, water pumps, bilge pumps, etc. on simply batteries? I've thought about purchasing a small gas powered generator and attaching it to the swim platform or keep it within the cockpit. What's a common solution to this problem?
And Bob, you've been a huge help already :) |
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 12:55:51 PM
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Parts are common as fleas. Huge after market with lots of suppliers.
As for the gen, I use a Honda EU200i.Very quiet, runs a long time on a tank of gas and will handle anything in your boat, including A/C and water heater. Just not all at the same time. You have to select what you want to run so you don't over load and pop the circuit breakers. But, it is no problem at all and the gen does the job very nicely.
A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION:
1. Make sure you have at least 2 CO detectors in the boat. (I have 3) I keep one at the rear door and one forward in the birth and since my boat has a lower helm, I keep one there as well. A lot of people will tell you they never run the gen while they sleep. I do. It's a matter of doing your homework and deciding what you are comfortable with. Time and experience will teach you.
2. Never ever run the gen on the fly bridge on in the cockpit. CO is way too dangerous. I always run mine on the swim platform which puts it outside and away from any and all closed spaces. The limitation is that it can't be used underway or it will get wet. But I never want to run it underway anyway. So for me no problem.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
Edited by - Jimbo Song on 07/23/2009 12:59:03 PM |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 5:23:44 PM
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Good call! I probably wouldn't have thought anything dangerous about keeping the gen in the cockpit being that it's outside and away. Better to be safe than dead ;)
I can already tell I'm going to like this forum. |
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 6:01:10 PM
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Fantastic! I am sure we will communicate more as time goes on.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2009 : 07:59:58 AM
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Go have a look on eBay item #230359058852. It's a 1986 Mariner and the boat itself looks to be in pretty good shape. Bridge upholstery is rough but everything else looks pretty good.
The big problem is, supposedly, the engines ingested water through the exhausts and do not run. Probably will need to be replaced.
It looks like you can buy this thing for around $4500. new crate engines can be had for under $2500 each. So, it looks like for around $10,000 you can be into a pretty damn nice boat.
Disclaimer: I don't know this boat or anything about it other than what is posted on eBay so all due dilligence needs to be exercised when considering it.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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Rockmeister
USA
307 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 10:09:52 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Jimbo Song
The hulls are all totally solid, no core. The only cored parts are in the fly bridge. A good surveyor can easily make sure there are no soft spots by using a phenolic hammer to do soundings.
Quick note.
The 1970's built boats ARE cored hulls.
(Decks, sides, hull, basically everything.)
Carver quit using cored hulls when they switched to the rounded look of the 1980's built boats.
Bob is correct, the core can be checked with a phenolic hammer quite easily.
Docking takes some practice with any boat, however the twin engines makes it MUCH easier once you know how.
Chapman's books are an incredible source of seamanship/boat handling information.
79 28' Mariner twin inboard V-drive.
Western Lake Erie: Maumee Bay & The Islands |
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 10:47:53 AM
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Dang, learn something new every day. I had no idea 70's vintage hulls were cored.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2009 : 4:33:21 PM
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Bob - that actually looked like a decent boat. Not sure I would trust something like that though. Chances are a surveyor would have found it took on water.
So 79-90 Carvers were the only ones with solid hulls then?
I can't wait to get home from Germany to start looking for a boat. I am going to try and remain as patient as possible. |
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Jimbo Song
238 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2009 : 6:22:18 PM
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From the looks of the photos I don't think it was submerged. Owner said it ingested water through the exhaust which is entirely possible.
At $4500 could be a sweet buy even if you needed all new running gear.
Never mind though, there's lot's more of them out there.
Heck, I might even sell you mine. I've found a 32'er I really like.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
Edited by - Jimbo Song on 07/30/2009 6:26:07 PM |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2009 : 1:38:01 PM
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| Hahah don't tempt me! However, if you are ready to sell when I'm looking to buy (Feb), then you could possibly have a buyer. The downfall of this approach would be... you wouldn't have a sweet 28 and be hanging on this board. |
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Wanted to say hi
