Carver Owners Forum

We are purchasing a 1989 3607 Carver aft cabin. We haven't owned anything bigger than a pontoon, so are a bit intimidated with such a big boat. We plan to drive it on Lake Michigan from Benton Harbor to Muskegon Lake in a few weeks. Any tips would be appreciated!!!

Thanks,
David and Brenda
1989 Carver 3607 aft cabin

Welcome aboard, you'll love that extra room over the pontoon

Welcome aboard. Hoping everything works out for you.

Welcome aboard. We purchased a 1985 3607 in Sept of 2020. Docked at Northern Harbour on Lake of the Woods, ON. One of the best books we purchased on how to drive the boat was from Doug at Boating with the Dawsons. https://www.boatingwithdawsons.com/

Welcome aboard!!

I had a 3607 for years and loved the boat. Thought it handled great and maneuvering around the dock was easy, unless you had a big beam wind, then it got a little challenging.

On any "new to you boat", you should consider changing the impellers unless you really KNOW when they were done last. I'd also get a couple spare fuel filters before you made that trip. I know it's only 80 miles, but if things get stirred up in the tanks it could clog your filters. Having a couple on board would avoid all the delays with getting them replaced enroute. (and it's not like they go bad or expire after a short bit, either).

Welcome Aboard.

Welcome aboard!!!!!!!!

Dbneher wrote:Source of the post We are purchasing a 1989 3607 Carver aft cabin. We haven't owned anything bigger than a pontoon, so are a bit intimidated with such a big boat. We plan to drive it on Lake Michigan from Benton Harbor to Muskegon Lake in a few weeks. Any tips would be appreciated!!!

Thanks,
David and Brenda
1989 Carver 3607 aft cabin

We have a 1990 Carver 3607 Carver and we love it for the past 5 years. Plenty of room and it maneuvers very well.
I would take a couple extra fuel filters on your trip just to be safe.
Also, do you have U.S. Boat towing? I wouldn't leave my slip with out it.
Benton Harbor to Muskegon is going to be a 7-8 hour trip depending on weather, waive height and your comfort speed. Better have both your gas tanks full before you leave. Make sure you swing west (away from shore) when you go past the Nuclear plant south of South Haven, they have minimum distance laws that you have to be aware of.
Should be a fun trip as long as you have good weather and no breakdowns.
Give us a update on your trip when you can.

Dbneher wrote:Source of the post We are purchasing a 1989 3607 Carver aft cabin. We haven't owned anything bigger than a pontoon, so are a bit intimidated with such a big boat. We plan to drive it on Lake Michigan from Benton Harbor to Muskegon Lake in a few weeks. Any tips would be appreciated!!!

Thanks,
David and Brenda
1989 Carver 3607 aft cabin

Welcome to the forum.......early season boating on the great lakes can be challenging especially for new boaters. Be aware of debris in the water at this time shortly after ice out.....things like logs, stumps, picnic tables, tires etc can be floating or just under the surface.
My tip, have a good trip but be very careful to have a good consistent look out, the water is very cold this time of the year......

Welcome aboard!