Carver Owners Forum

Hello Captains,

Just joining the group and excited to learn and grow my Carver knowledge. I'll be retiring in just over 2 years and my wife and I are currently looking for our liveaboard boat. We have owned a couple sail boats and one power over the last 20 years and are currently boatless. We would like to purchase soon so we can get everything ship shape in the next 2 summers for our next planned adventure, i.e. the Great American Loop. We rent now and are simplifying our lives in preparation of a July 2022 departure from our home port near Rochester, NY. I have been looking mostly at single diesel with bow thrusters in the 35'-40' range. My wife, I'm sorry, the Admiral, has her eyes on all these beautiful Carvers. So, happy wife/happy life, I need to "get my learning on" with twins, possibly no bow thruster, and gas engine??? I'm open to anything as long as I'm on the water. We just looked a beautiful 356 with 7.4 Mercruisers. Wow! Very nice. I now see what my wife (sorry, the Admiral) has in mind and I'll need your knowledge to make this happen. So far I/we like the 356, 405, and those with cockpits for the extra storage space. My biggest concerns are fuel consumption. If anyone can provide me some numbers in GPH for the 7.4 Merc or the Crusaders while crusing at around 6-8 knots. Also, is there any problems with going this slow, plowing, for long distances? There's lots of canals/locks, etc. in our planned route. Also, I know Carvers come in diesel too but I don't see many of them. Just collecting data for now. Thanks in advance. Fair winds to all.

Captain Poppy

Welcome aboard!

Only thing I have to add is that when you get around a 40 footer, you will appreciate the diesels. Had a 4207 with gas engines - sold it because I did not feel safe in it in any big weather.

Welcome to the forum.

IMHO, for the loop, diesels are a must especially after the 40' mark. They are more efficient than gas and diesels will keep your costs down. Its okay to run your boat at 6-8 knots, as that is what the loop will ask for more times than not. There is a lot of channel work, especially up in our neck of the woods. However, diesels like to run and I advise that you would do that from time to time as it will help to keep them clean. Run a fuel additive, like Stanadyne High Performance, that would help a great deal.

The 396 or the Carver 444 CMY would be a nice size, thats what I have and it is great to be on for long periods of time. Anything 40' and up is what I would recommend, but the cockpit is a really nice option.

A diesel will cost you more to purchase over gas, however, they as I said are more efficient and have a longer shelf life.

Happy hunting and keeps posted,

Greg

Ok, I have a 356 and while I have no desire to do the loop, I can see it being comfortable for 2 people. I have Crusader 8.1's in my boat and you can cruise comfortably at around 7-8 knots at 12-1300 RPM's. I have not checked my fuel mileage, but if you google Mercs and Crusaders, you can get GPH figures for both engines and with a little math work, figure out an approximate MPG. Both engines are going to be pretty close to the same fuel usage. They are both GM blocks.
I know 3 couples who have done the loop. 2 in 45' Bayliner pilothouse and 1 in a 38' Bayliner
motor yacht. All with diesels. Most do the loop in diesels.
With twin engines, you will do just fine without thrusters.
Love my Crusaders. I have the 385 HP model. With a clean bottom and running gear, I can top out at 35 MPH. I usually cruise around 20-21 mph.

I might add, some years ago, we had a Carver 3807 with carborated 7.4 Mercs. Those engines were gas hogs, especially in that boat. Fuel injection makes a big difference and my 356 being a couple feet shorter and 2-3000 lbs lighter, really helps with fuel mileage. I'm almost positive I get at least 50% better fuel economy in my 356 over my old 3807.

Buster53, I agree the 356 is a great boat, I had one for 8 years before obtaining what I have now. The admiral and I went on many trips for 2 weeks or more to the North Channel and back in great comfort. However, I have noticed a fuel consumption difference. I loved my 356 and the current owners love it as well. I would have done the loop in the 356 for size, diesels get my vote for sure.

Welcome to the forum......

Just my opinion here....all things being equal ( HP ), the boat with the longer waterline length will be faster at hull speed, therefore more fuel efficient, gas or diesel.

Some advantages of the diesel can be fuel range.....some areas you may have to travel quite a distance between fuel stops.....another is the slow/close quarters handling advantage with the low speed grunt with the larger props.There are others.

With you coming from sail, you may be used to seeing a low hp diesel getting 10 to 15,000 hours. These newer higher HP/higher rpm turbo diesels do not get you hours even close to that.

I would consider the longest boat you can get, ......good luck with your search....

You've come to the right place to get great information as already posted. Keep us posted during your search for the perfect Carver and of course after. Especially when you get to doing the loop. And, we like pics when you get to that point.

Diesels for sure. This is where they are most economical, slow speed. A trip like the loop the diesels will pay for themselves in no time. Welcome to the forum.

I am curious to see what my planned Georgian Bay trip will cost this summer. Did the same trip in my 32' Avanti with twin 383 gas magnums a few years back. Cost $5,000 in gas. My friend did the same trip just behind me with his 37' Formula Express cruiser with twin 8.1 gassers to the tune of $8,000 I am anticipating maybe $2500, will chime in after summer is over assuming we do the trip.

Here is a great starting place when considering the loop. https://www.greatloop.org/content.aspx? ... =948087173

Welcome to this amazing group!!!!!!