Carver Owners Forum

I don't own a Carver, or any boat for that matter. I'm a potential future owner, shopping for information at this point, and this forum looks like a great resource.

I live in Wyoming so there aren't many waterways that most Carvers would be a good fit in. My wife and I are looking at a mid 80's Carver 3607 as a potential loop vessel. We're about 8 years away from retirement and the loop is one of the things we're planning on doing. We've done a lot of camping in a small A frame pop up so a 36 foot vessel would be luxurious for us. The way I see it a yacht is just a big water camper with more leaks.

I grew up around the water in Florida and we take a lot of water born vacations that involve boating so I have some experience but not a lot. Our current plan is to find a 3607 with a decent hull and decks and have it moved to our property in Wyoming so we can gut and restore it over several years. We have a lot of space and all the tools for an extensive project like this. I have a decent amount of fabrication and mechanical skills and nothing I've seen to this point scares me off the idea. Honestly, it just looks like a fun project.

Anyway, I'm rambling on. I'll be poking around this forum asking silly questions about surveyors and shipping over land that may be common sense to many of you so keep in mind I'm a newbie.

My wife and I will be in Fort Myers in August so if there is anyone here with a 3607 that would like to take us out for an afternoon I'll cover the gas and food bill. I'd love some first hand experience with an owner.

Thanks everyone.

Welcome aboard. Good luck and keep us posted!

I have a 3607 (1983). I've never transported it over land, but would think you'd have to remove the bridge to get clearance. If you're planning on doing restoration that wouldn't present a problem though. You could likely leave the throttle and shift cables and steering connected and just remove those from the helm. What wiring doesn't have quick-disconnects could just be cut and spliced later. When restoring, you could plan for having to remove the bridge and just put in the proper quick disconnnects or terminal blocks so that they could be removed and replaced at any point. There are really three assemblies that make up the bridge. The bridge coaming (what you see from the outside that you'd call 'the bridge'), the helm, and the port side seating/storage. All three can get removed from the boat separately but often the wiring is intertwined.

What might be nice for a loop boat in this model is the single inboard diesel option. I've only heard of ONE in existence but I'm sure there are others. You could fab in bow and stern thrusters and have a very maneuverable boat that is great on fuel economy. All the 3607s that I'm familiar with have the twin 350HP Crusaders, which are great engines.

Welcome. Hopefully the boat you choose has LESS leaks than a camper, as campers don't sink when they leak, as boats tend to!

Welcome aboard, and keep us posted. he crew will be more than happy answering questions so don't be shy.

Welcome and enjoy the site!!!!!!!!!!1

I shipped my 1981 3607 from Green Bay Wisconsin to the great state of MS. Let me know if you have any questions.

Welcome Aboard. You've come to the right place. Lots of really good people here.