Carver Owners Forum

Hello,

We have recently aquired a 1986 Carver 3697 and are going to be up at the boat this weekend preparing for our launch. I am planning on installing a new Garmin 93sv as the previous fishfinder/chartplotter is missing the head unit and, if like the other electronics on the boat, was due for an upgrade anyway.

Couple of questions for anyone that knows. My plan is to either mount the transducer on the transom centered between the two props, or the other option would be to the starboard side of that sides prop. I know a transom mount isn't ideal on an inboard, but only looking for the sonar to work at low speed and i'm willing to deal with the loss of function at regular speeds. Any suggestions on those or any other locations?

Also, running the cable to the helm, I aleady have a 30' Garmin extension cable to help make the run, but wondering if anyone has run a cable from the transom to the helm on this model boat? Is there a space to run verically to the top deck? I found this in the bunk room and am wondering if it's a chase to run between the bridge and below deck?

Not sure why it keeps rotating this pic... it's vertical, not horizontal... orientation is correct on the file untill i attach it to this thread.

Anyway, just trying to plan the best route for the cable from the transom to the helm.

Any insight would be appreciated.

When I got my 2897 a previous owner had mounted a transducer mounting board on the centreline with a decades old transducer still mounted there. I mounted my Garmin uhd 95sv and fishhawk transducers there. No issues whatsoever with losing bottom even at wot. I ran the cables through a chase from the e/r to the lower helm, and then another chase from there to the flybridge. The ones on my rig were already pretty stuffed with cables/wires.makes me wonder if that is a chase in your pic why it’s unused? I would try working my way down from the flybridge and trace where the cables/wires are going. Mine were all located on the port side of an 85’ voyager.

Next to the fridge you'll see a trim panel about 2 inches wide held on with a bunch of screws. Remove that panel. The wires go up that Raceway and up under the helm cushions on the starboard side. Pick up those cushions and you'll see the rest of the wires going up that way.

Merkinbrumsky wrote:Source of the post When I got my 2897 a previous owner had mounted a transducer mounting board on the centreline with a decades old transducer still mounted there.

Thank you for your response.. wanted to ask if your 2897 have a keel that stopped short of the transom? My 3697's keel stops a good 4' or better before the transom and i just wondered if that would cause the water there to be too aerated for the transducer to work well. I'm really hoping that I can mount it so i don't lose bottom like yours.

I"ve yet to open that chase i took a pic of to see what's in there... will probably do that this weekend.

waybomb wrote:Source of the post Next to the fridge you'll see a trim panel about 2 inches wide held on with a bunch of screws. Remove that panel. The wires go up that Raceway and up under the helm cushions on the starboard side. Pick up those cushions and you'll see the rest of the wires going up that way.

Thanks Fred... I'll take a look at that this weekend while up there. I'm wondering if my pic isn't just the backside of that same chase your talking about as it looks like it might be just to the starboard side of the fridge.

I did have another question for you that isn't directly related to this thread... I'm going to be getting down in the engine bay this weekend to run that transducer cable and to swap out that steering cylinder that is damaged. I was going to try to tackle it without lifting off the back deck. I just wondered if you've had any experience with working in those tight quarters and would removing the exhaust hoses be a good idea to get me aditional room to work? Or is that more work than it'd be worth. I've never taken one apart before so just curious if it's as straightfoward as it looks.

Yes you can do it without lifting the entire cover. Especially when the inboard exhaust hoses are disconnected.
I didn't have to replace my steering cylinder but I did have to disconnect it to get it bleed. When we bought the boat the referring was missing and all the oil had drained out so the bleeding was a little involved.
We did have the starboard trim tab pipe break.. instead of taking it all apart. The wife climbed in between the genny gas tank to get to it.

The 2 to 3 inch wide piece set back from the fridge on the starboard side is where the wires come up from the bilge to the bridge
On mine, you can't get to that Raceway from the bunk cabin. All you can get to there is the back of the fridge

MrMojoRisin wrote:Source of the post Thank you for your response.. wanted to ask if your 2897 have a keel that stopped short of the transom

[quote="[url=https://www.carveryachtowners.com/memberlist.php?

Quote...... would removing the exhaust hoses be a good idea to get me aditional room to work? Or is that more work than it'd be worth. I've never taken one apart before so just curious [/quote]

We had a 2897 so to answer your question.... the keel does stop before the transom on that model much like yours.

Also re the exhaust, can't say whether it will help for access, I think Fred has covered that but just to add, it may not be a bad idea to consider removing the hoses and inspecting the hoses and risers closely on the inside for any damage/cracking/brittle/burning/rodent damage etc.. Chances are if they are real old you will likely damage the hose on removal and if old should be replaced with new anyway.