Still relatively new on my ownership journey and while getting things figured out, need some help with this one.

I’ve gotten into the habit of checking the bilge pumps and high water alarms for blockages and function before I leave the boat. I have a hwa/pump in the forward/shower sump and an aft hwa/pump in the cockpit sump along the rear bulkhead. I have yet to find the midship pump - we’ll get back to that in a minute.

Was on board last weekend and all functional when I left. Was back on board yesterday after a week of heavy rain and found the cockpit and engine room pretty full of water. Was actually up to the high water float switch alarm - which was not going off and obviously the pump was not running. No appreciable water in the forward sump but no high water alarm either when I tested the float. The floats on both in the rear were free and activated. So I turned the pumps on from the bridge and they came on immediately and cleared the sumps.

After a little digging I found a wire had come loose from the aft pump, reterminated that and tested the float and all seems functional again. Can’t yet find anything loose or broken on the hw alarm.

So now the questions:
1. Easy one first. The 06 manual I found (on this forum btw so thanks for that and seems to correlate to my 03) shows the midship bilge is against the forward engine room bulkhead on the keel line. But there are fore/aft stingers there, as well as the black water tank between them. There doesn’t seem to be any access hatches either and this is the only bilge that doesn’t turn on from the bridge switch. So I’m not sure if it’s there and broken or if it doesn’t exist. Any ideas where to look for this pump?
2. Is it common for a wire to just ‘fall off’ while the boat is sitting at the dock? I suppose its more likely the bilge came on at some point and the wire cut loose then as the power lead from the boat harness seemed pretty thin (from corrosion?). Any good way to check for this sort of thing or is it all find and fix when failed?
3. There is a breaker panel on the engine room forward bulkhead that has breakers for the bilges, hw alarm, head pump, etc. (photo attached). I thought maybe the breaker had tripped but when I tried to toggle it, the rocker switch doesn’t seem to be movable at all even though it has a ‘on/off’ label. Is there a trick to moving these? Basically the left 2/3 of this panel appears to be like that - switches that look like rockers but don’t appear to move.
4. Any idea where the hw siren might be located? I suppose that could be the problem - maybe it was going off at some point and has failed? Seems like I need to get to the siren as part of the troubleshooting.
5. Anything I should be particularly concerned about or need to check since the water got to the high water alarm threshold?

Thanks in advance. Boat ownership has certainly been an adventure so far.

HI All,

So starting a kitchen remodel...I design as I go ( oops! )! First yacht, second boat.

Trying to be imaginative and pragmatic.... SINK!!!! got to go....
Ninja double oven on its way.
Complete cabinet reconfigure
Extend kitchen into forward cabin

ANY IDEAS? Thoughts? Best practices?

Best y'all!

Dr. A

So I decided to stay in the water for the winter. I have a 1999 Carver 406 Aft Cabin, and I'm located on the Sassafras River near the top of the Chesapeake Bay. The plan is to stay on the boat certain weekends and keep it plugged in at the marina. They will run bubblers. My questions to all of you are these. Totally winterize? Water system, heat pumps, engines like I would if I pulled it out? Or, just keep the heat on with the heat pumps or some space heaters? (I'm not living on the boat. It's just an escape). Or, what minimally can I do to enjoy the solitude of my boat in winter without worrying about freeze damage? Your guidance and opinions are appreciated!

Greetings to all. I hope this intro finds you and your family in the best of health, your waters smooth and your sky blue and sunny.
I’m Charlie, a 23-year military veteran. The state that I call home is referred to as “The land of 10,000 lakes”. Minnesota USA.

I just took ownership (three days ago) of my first “big” boat. My 1983 32’ aft cabin needs a little – well, maybe a lot – of love. However, I couldn’t be prouder to call her mine.
She has been on stands at a marina for about 7 years. The previous owner didn’t want to pay to do the repairs needed and was behind on storage fees. He said if I took care of the fees, I could have her.
She has twin 454s. (Update: I believed she had 454s because that is what the mechanic the marina told me. After much advice from the wonderful members here, I did some research and discovered that I was given misinformation, and the engines are instead 350s.)

The previous owner told me that one of the engines was in good/ok shape and that the other one had been pulled, rebuilt, and reinstalled. However, the rebuilt engine still needs the final assembly completed. Manifolds, intake, carb, valve covers and a few other things. All I can do is take his word for all of this as I never saw her run and there is a box of parts along with the bigger pieces lying on the floor.

I am in desperate need of any type of owner’s manuals and maintenance manuals for each of the things on board… Engine, genset, various pumps, electronics, and anything and everything else. Even just bits and pieces of accurate information would be most appreciated. Also, any tips and tricks with regards to the operation of this old girl from those with experience would be happily received.

I am going to post a few pictures of my floating lady (no, that’s not her name), however, you will notice that while most captains showcase the beauty of their boat, mine will not be glamor shots. At least not at first. They will basically be – before and after – types of images. Because I live in the northern U.S., I probably won’t be getting much completed on her during the winter Just the same, as things progress, I will try to include updated pictures for those who might be interested. To some of you, the improvements may not seem like much. However, like a parent watching his child grow and change, they will be big events for me Your comments and or constructive input will always be welcome.

Hopefully, some day, I can meet a few fellow Carver owners. Until then, take care.

Hey all;

Anyone ever replace/repack/reseal their drain plug? In the spring I had some water intruding from the drain plug that eventually swelled up and sealed. I just got pulled today and was informed by the staff that my drain plug housing spun while they tried to take the plug out.

has anyone ever had to replace/reseal the drain plug and if so how do you get that out without damaging the hull? I think it has 4 screws into the hull, I fear that those may be damaged now.

HI All,

My name is Alex and I recently bought a 1997 Carver 33 Aft Cabin. Coming from a European river/canal cruiser - this is like going back to college!!!

I've already had so many problems, the boat was untouched for 3 yrs!

I've also already gotten so much out this site! Thank you all!!!

So, I have a kitchen remodel project started and as a token of thanks, I am going to offer anything I dismantle/take out to the community for free (for example, cabinet fixtures and doors)

Best to all!

A

My name is Joey, I bought a 89 32 Montego

CDRN5026H889

I bought it from a couple that bought the lot it was sitting on, it was someones project, but then he passed away. It has been sitting for a few years and has had its share of parts taken from it, but it seems to have good bones. I have to inspect the hull once I get it for the boat yard. If anyone can help with the model number that would be great
Apparently it's 5026. But it's a 32 footer so I'm really confused

Greetings all,

Long time former Hatteras owner looking to own 38-40 Carver. In my search I have found at bunch with raw water cooling. That won't work for me as I am going to spend 50% of my time in salt water and be there for 4-6 months. Does Carver or any of the engine folks sell a conversion kit?

TIA
Russ Appleton
Manning, SC

Hi all,
My 2001 396 Carver has 3 air conditioners. The compressor does not start when calling for heat or cooling on the forward unit but the fan does run ok. The passport II thermostat shows its calling for heat or cool.
The A/C repair guy showed up and needed to get to the Control Box box. We found the pump relay box in the forward bildge bout no Control Box. Can somebody please tell me where it may be located.
Thank you for any comments

Hello, thanks for adding me as a member.

Previously owned a 1977 Santa 'Fe 26' and sold it 10 years ago. Loved that boat.
Looking at a 1981 Montego 2357 cruiser, not the fishing version. It has the v-berth with kitchenet and nice big aft area.
I have heard that these were built on the fishing hull so I would guess they are pretty capable in 3' chop.

Not a lot of info on these boats. Would love to hear from any owners and any pics if ya got 'em.
Also any links to info would be appreciated.

Going to check the boat out Sunday 11-12-23. Hope it woks out. Excited about restoring it.

Glad to be here,
Cheers!