Carver Owners Forum

Hello all, We're new here, having just purchased our new-to-us 2003 Carver 460 Voyager. Hoping to do the Great Loop in a year or two. In the meantime, we're looking for unique storage ideas, especially in the galley. Has anyone added an extra fridge? The fridge/freezer combo on this model is quite small. We have the 3rd cabin, which is great for storage, but would love ideas for maximizing space in the Master and VIP. One of us wanted an aft cabin layout and the other wanted fewer stairs. Trying to learn to be content with the small staterooms. Thanks in advance.

Rhonda Spykman

Welcome aboard Rhonda and congrats on your new acquisition.

Welcome Aboard. Someone with the same boat will chime in here eventually. Hope you have many fine adventures aboard your Carver.

Hi and welcome aboard!!!!! Won't be long till you get some great answers to these questions, great group here!!!!

I don't know that you can add additional fridge space in the galley without losing cupboard storage space. How big is the cupboard under the bridge steps on the starboard side? You may be able to fit a small fridge there. It won't be much but it'll give you some additional refrigeration. You can also use a cooler on the after deck for certain items that will free up room in the galley fridge, it can also double as a bench or table.

Is there access under the mattresses in the berths to get to tanks or other systems? If so, there may be an opportunity for additional storage there.

Welcome to the forum and Carver......good luck on your adventures.....there are some inventive refrigeration ideas to fit sail boats that may be useful, have a look.....

I have an old (maybe 20 yrs?) Coleman electric (Peltier) cooler that we leave in the V-berth and leave it running all the time. Use it mostly for just drinks, so if it died or needed to be shutoff we're not wasting food. That leaves the fridge and freezer for just food. It's about 2' high, 2' deep and 2.5' wide. I added a thermostat to it a few years ago so it wouldn't freeze up inside (which just wastes power). It runs between 35 and 38 degrees most of the time.

It runs on 12V so if you're on the hook or don't have a charger running then it would be draining batteries. It uses about 8A of power.

One thing with Carver is they use up almost every inch of available space. There is usually not many additional storage options to be found that won't impede service or repairs.

Congratulations on the new boat and welcome aboard!

tomschauer wrote:Source of the post One thing with Carver is they use up almost every inch of available space. There is usually not many additional storage options to be found that won't impede service or repairs.

+1