Carver Owners Forum

New to the forum and I apologize if this has been asked and answered in another thread, I couldn't find it if it has. I bought a 1994 Carver 280 express a couple months back and piloted it to my mooring from Plymouth, MA about 50 miles away, it is on the mooring now. I am looking at purchasing a new trailer for it but the manufacturer of the trailer measures from bow eye to drain plug for boat to trailer fit. With mine still in the water does anyone out there know the length from bow eye to drain plug for the above mentioned boat? I am guessing I could fit this on a trailer that accommodates a 25-26 foot boat if measuring from bow eye to drain plug and not considering the pulpit or swim platform. Any insight or information anyone has would be very helpful as I don't want to make an offer on the wrong trailer. Thank you

1994 Carver 280 Express Mid-Cabin
7.2 Volvo Penta

Welcome Aboard. Someone here will have the answer to your question. Hang in there.

Welcome aboard.

In two years you are going to buy a bigger boat anyway - get a 50' trailer and a Kenworth!

I know, I'm of no help with this one.......

Am considering buying this boat. Love to get more information on its specs and such. Will try and go take it out this Sunday. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

First measure your beam (width of the boat) if its more than 8'6" you need a permit in most states to trailer it.
The late 80's carver 270, were 31 LOA and 10' beam. I do believe in the early 90's they made some boats, such as your 280, that were trailerable.

Before committing to a trailer, I would consider having a marina pull it with a travel lift to measure the boat. This would need to be done in any case to be sure the bunks or rollers are set up properly for your boat.

Hi,
I bought a 1992 Carver 280 express with 8,5m / 2,69 m (27,8 / 8,8 feet) and with a Volvo Penta 7,4 l Motor. I want to Trailer it, but the weight control at the harbour crane shows 8.800 lbs (4.000 kg). That would be too much for a normal trailer. But I don't know the accuracy of the weight control of the crane. The catalog says only 5.900 #.

Is here somebdy who did a weight control of a simular boat?

Thanks says Ralf from Germany

Carver280_1992 wrote:Source of the post Hi,
I bought a 1992 Carver 280 express with 8,5m / 2,69 m (27,8 / 8,8 feet) and with a Volvo Penta 7,4 l Motor. I want to Trailer it, but the weight control at the harbour crane shows 8.800 lbs (4.000 kg). That would be too much for a normal trailer. But I don't know the accuracy of the weight control of the crane. The catalog says only 5.900 #.

Is here somebdy who did a weight control of a simular boat?

Thanks says Ralf from Germany

Hard to believe that Carver's numbers would be that far off. How full were your fuel, potable water and waste tanks when that measurement was made? If they were all full that might be 1000 lbs (roughly) right there. That's still quite a bit from what you measured though!

Hi,
there was no water (clean or waste water) in the tanks. Fuel is half full.

The catalog says only 5.900 lbs but there is no reference to the motor-type. You got this boat with mercruiser or Volvo, with smaler motor or with a big V8-block that I have in my boat. So the catalog information can not match for all typs!

Welcome to the forum.....couple things.
When those boats are factory weighed they are brand new, Totally dry, dry glass/coring etc.....tanks MT etc. The difference in weight between a big block and small block GM engine is around 100 #'s give or take a few.

The weigh scales on those harbor lifts are notoriously inaccurate when not calibrated regularly and used properly. Remember all is wet at this point including those slings.
The final point to consider is the fact that boats can get very much heavier over time, many can take on water in the glass/stringers/transoms/decks etc. Not counting all the gear brought on board...

Good luck with your trailer choices.......