Greetings from the Chesapeake Bay norfolk area.

[MoyockMan]

I just purchased a 1984 Carver 3607 Aft Cabin.

I bought it in Islip Long Island NY. Hopped on it and began my trek to Norfolk Virginia.

Day 1 survived the trip in the Atlantic with my 36 year old project, ported in Atlantic City on starboard engine only, previous owner indicated he had shortened the fuel tank pickup to keep dirt from clogging system 30 gallons short??? Realized that my course put me out of cell phone range and probably VHF range of shore. A bit of a rude awakening losing sight of America.

Day 2 Survived the atlantic again, Came in on starboard engine only, apparently need to do a little maintenance Cleaned water separator filter. 5 minute project became 5 hours due to limited tools and a very stuck separator.

Day 3 leaving Ocean city I tested the 36 year old super structure leaving the inlet. Fridge flew from its mounts as I buried the bow pulpit in the ocean repeatedly. Considered turning around but it turned out to be an artifact of the inlet magnifying the 4 to 5 foot seas to 6 to 8 foot I would guess. 5 minutes of excitement became a day of excitement as the seas were still a challenge for the tiny ship. fuel pitstop before the upcoming fuel desert Chincoteague. Chincoteague to Norfolk 87 miles or so through the fuel desert with my 5 gallon reserve on deck I made it running on vapors.

Now the project begins a winter of turning my 36 year old girl into something my wife wont hate me for.

Project 1 portlights are in disrepair. Project 1 already proving to be challenging. I will find the right place to pose my question.

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum and Carver.....quite the adventure for the first time out.

[MoyockMan]

Nothing like taking an ancient boat out into the Atlantic in between hurricanes.

The weather behaved and the boat ultimately ran like a champ all things considered.

Previous owner used the boat regularly for short trips this was the first trip over 10 miles the boat had made in 20 years.

I need to learn more about fuel economy vs RPM on this sucker. Man did I burn some fuel on this ride.

I burned as much fuel as the saturn 5 rocket burned in 1 fifth of a second. lol.

[waybomb]

Wow!
Welcome aboard.
Glad you made it.

[km1125]

What speed were you cruising at? Do you have the 350HP Crusaders?

Not sure why you'd really want to cut the draw tubes short. Seems like if you're going to go to a bunch of work then cleaning the tank would be the right way. You could also parallel a couple filters so you can tolerate a whole lot of crap before things get plugged up. Cleaning the tanks on those should be fairly easy. The fuel fill goes straight down into the tank and just by pulling up some access panels you can get to the fuel sender.

I recently did a little "fuel polishing" on my 3607. Dropped a 3/8" copper tube to the bottom of the tank on one side, ran it through a pump and a filter and pumped everything out of the tank (it was about 1/4 full) to the other side, which had about 1/2. Then reversed the process and pumped everything back. Then put fresh fuel in the empty side and started running on just the 'old' side until I draw it down. I do like that you can run either engine from either tank or both engines from either tank.

Also, since the fuel senders and the tank draw tubes are at the back of the tank if you ever find yourself running short, then switch both engines to one tank and draw it as low as you can while on plane, then switch the engines over to the other tank and when you come off plane there will still be plenty in that tank to reach the pickup tube (provided no one cut that too short!!)

[waybomb]

Pretty happy I am on a boating page and not "Pilots of America".

[g36]

Thats a big 1st trip

[tomschauer]

The OC MD inlet can be very hazardous. I've been through there hundreds of times on custom built sport fishers in good and bad weather. Been through several times on smaller boats in good weather. Would never want to take my Carver thorough in poor conditions. Glad you made it safely! That inlet has taken out some pretty big boats over the years.

[Viper]

Welcome board.

[RGrew176]

Welcome Aboard, you have had quite the first adventure.