Carver Owners Forum

Hi all,
I am an inventioneer by nature and started out looking at boats of this size that weren't basket cases to recondition. All of the boats here are great lakes boats and probably haven't been in the salt. Most of the boats we looked at had big problems, mostly neglect. The Carver was owned by a marine mechanic and was in decent mechanical shape and had a newly rebuilt engine with a dyno sheet. He had been in an accident and needed to be in a smaller boat. I have been working on her for 9 months now and should be ready for the water in a couple months. Completely new plumbing, rewired everything, new helm seating and cabin cushions. Started over with a new camper top. All new electronics and had replica decals and striping to replicate the originals. New lonestar anchor winch. Solid boat all in all. The stern drive needs to come apart to check out and fix if needed. I own a tool and die shop and can design and fabricate almost anything so this has been a great diversion from the daily work. Hope to be able to contribute things of help to everyone.
Steve

Welcome aboard@

Welcome aboard Steve. Throw some pics our way!

Welcome aboard! Sounds like an interesting project! Post up some pics when you get a chance!

Welcome! Where in Michigan are you? Being able to fabricate parts is really going to pay off! er

I will post up some before and after photos soon. Shop is in Ionia MI (diamondenginc.com) where the boat resides for now. Currently 3D printing new parts and cnc machining others. Got the Air conditioning / heat completed along with new hot water heater and waste pump for the head. New transfer switch for the new generator working now. Tackling the rest of unscrewing up the wiring next. 40 years of bad judgements there. Found a wiring diagram in the repository which will make that a little easier.

update : put some photos in my gallery. got a new machine for some upholstery and replacing the port seat with a fridge. welding up bases for new seating arrangements.

Pics look great! That fridge looks more like a freezer, you could sell ice cream bars to other boaters! Probably pay for the gas you burn. If you are looking for a product that will clean up the stains where the seat used to be, Amazing Roll Off will take care of that. Spray on full strength, sit for 2 or 3 mins, rub with medium brush. If you remove outdrive completely, check the condition of the transom. Pretty sure it is solid, but there may have been a little wood coring at top of housing cut out. er

Those Alpha ourdrives are very reasonable to purchase new, normally not worth it to rebuild. You're going to have a fun vessel when you are done! er

Welcome Aboard. Nice project you have going on. Hope you have many fine adventures aboard on our Great Lakes.