Yesterday was OUT WITH THE NORCOLD, IN WITH THE VENTRIFIGO day. Anyone who says it will ‘slide right out and slide right in is in LA La land. Got the Norcold out of the enclosure, that is where the fun started. It would NOT fit up the stairs from galley to salon. Had to drop the table and remove the hand grab rail. So up in the salon, it was 1/4” too big to go out the sliding door. SO, off came the doors. NOPE! Now to remove the mounting flange..RIGHT!!! Took off all the screws, and that flange would not budge! I guess 28 years mounted to the fridge body was a LOT. SO, now the pry bar and hammer. Beat the living crap out of that cabinet until the flange separated. NOW the SOB fit out the door. Up to the aft deck. The Ventrifigo was put on a pallet and lifted ove the cockpit up to the ladder level. We slid it in oto the aft deck. Had to remove the mounting flange and had 1/4” leeway to get down the stairs from the aft deck. Across the salon, down the stairs. NOW the moment of truth. I did not think it would fit in tight due to the bulge of wires at the back of the cabinet enclosure. SLID right in with room to spare. As far as the electrical outlet, there was one under the sink that the fridge was plugged into. SO, here are thr trials and tribulations of yesterday.

Hi- I joined a couple months ago. Searching for other similar ancient Carver owners because the boat manual doesn’t explain much. Many mysteries have been uncovered, but there still are others. Grew up boating, but being a girl, wasn’t learning more than staying out of the way and how to tie a kleat. Most of my experience as an adult has been sea kayaking here in the San Juan Islands, where the only systems involved navigation and currents.
My husband and I got our 1980 Santa Cruz last year, it had every registration and receipt and had never been moored uncovered until this winter. Feel terrible about not being able to continue the covered moorage, but it’s just not not available.
Yesterday I finished replacing the water heater, and next on my list are the fuel sender switches so at least the fuel level won’t continue to be the biggest mystery.
Look forward to learning as much as possible here!

Regarding 2002 450 Voyager:

I knew that the poor geometry of my starboard motor exhaust would lead to a failed turbo eventually. Previous owner had the issue and replaced the turbo, wet and dry elbow in 2019. I pulled both the elbows to inspect the turbo yesterday. I just caught it in time to save the turbo but have a new wet (HDI Marine) and dry elbow on the way. I am having a fabricator cut my dry elbow in half and weld in a 5 inch section to add height to the setup. I know that will solve the issue of salt water ingestion.
My question however is, in cleaning the exhaust side of the turbo, I want to remove the wastegate and clean that passageway out and make sure the plunger is working. I cannot for the life of me, figure out how to remove the cup that holds the plunger in place.
Has anyone done this? Bit of a longshot here but wanted to ask.

Was at Walmart the other day and came across this. Had to get one for myself to have on the boat.

Good morning,
On the rear deck there are plastic panels, and they seem to be held in by a plastic pop rivet mine are corroded and some are missing any Idea where I can get them?
Thanks in advance

Does anyone know if the 2002 model year of the 396 is equipped with an inverter?? Some spec sheets I have found seem to indicate that there are "120v batteries". I know that the boat doesn't have 120VOLT BATTERIES, but does it have batteries that are dedicated to an inverter? And if so, what "appliances" can I expect will have access to the 120 volt inverter output?

I just signed a contract to purchase a 2002 Carver 396. I haven't had a boat in more than 20 years. Wife and I are looking forward to enjoying our Carver. Back in the day we owned 2 different Silverton aft cabin boats and always admired the Carvers. Well, now we are buying one. I look forward to talking with you all as I get to know the boat. We are in New Jersey . Tomorrow's task is to find a slip. Woo Hoo!! I have a slip at Crystal Point Marina in Point Pleasant NJ. A Safe Harbor Marina.

Hello All,
New owner of a 1988 Carver 42. The interior woodwork needs some brightening up. My thoughts are
Clean with Murphy Oil Soap
Use Touch of Beeswax product afterwards.
If this does not produce satisfactory results, what should I use. I thinking Minwax Polywipe satin finish will be the easiest approach. Appreciate any feedback from anyone who has freshened their tired interior. woodwork.

Hi All,

Hope this note finds everyone safe and healthy. I have a question for members.

We have a 1998 320 Voyager and have decided to do a much need upgrade to the interior upholstery. I have removed all the cushions, trim pieces, curtains, etc.

Does any member know how to remove the valances in the main cabin above the windows as well as the forward cabin ? Are they held in with the plastic anchors used on the trim or screwed in from some other point I dont see ?

Any advice or experience in this are would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

My boat, 1991 Carver 430 Cummin 6BTA has a breaker on the panel for fuel transfer. I'm told it is likely to move fuel from the stbd tank to the port tank to level the tanks if running the generator. The generator only pulls from the port tank.
I cant seem to get a clear answer on how to use this. On another forum it was suggested the transfer pump will be on the bulkhead behind the generator. Mine is still shrink wrapped so I havent been able to confirm. My question is about the operation. Is it as simple as flipping on the breaker to start the process or are there diverter valves that need to be switched around. Im not asking about using the rear auxillary tank. Just asking specifically about the cross over. Hopefully someone with direct experience can answer this for me. Thank you.