Carver Owners Forum

Greetings!!!! I am a new owner of a 1986 Carver 3697 Mariner. I have two rather vexing questions. ONE! I have found a few of the needed through-hulls, engine cooling for example, however, I do NOT think I have found them all! MIGHT there is someone who can help me locate ALL the needed through-hulls? and Second!!!!! While checking fluids on the different engines, I am NOT finding where to check the oil, or even drain and refill the oil on the Onan 6.5 Kw Generator onboard. MIGHT someone be able to help me with where to check the oil? and then also to change the oil? I am GUESSING, for both engines and the generator, it might be easier to use an oil evacuation pump to drain the oil. But help from those who know would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you in advance!!

Merlin (Ohedron)

As far as thru hulls, you may have as many as 6. 2 for main engines, 1 for gen set, 1 for air conditioning cooling water, 1 for water coming into the head and 1 for head discharge. As far as location goes, I’d be surprised if all aren’t in the engine room.
If not…Carver is creative in hiding bilge access ports. Keep looking, as they could be inside a cabinet, underneath stairs, under a berth and even hidden underneath carpeting that is not glued down.
As far as engine oil goes, all engines have dipsticks and a cap where you add oil to the engine. Keep looking as they are there. You use the dipstick to pump oil from the engines using a variety of either electric or manual pumps.
If you have any buddies that are savvy boaters, enlist their help with any of this.

I Thank you very much. That is what I was thinking about the through-hulls, but I had to ask!
As for the gen lipstick, I will keep looking.
Again, I thank you very much!!!

Let us know what you find. Also, you need to find your sump pump that pumps shower water and AC condensation overboard. That will probably need to be cleaned out a couple times a season.

I’m not at my boat, but from memory there are 6 thru-hulls (in my ‘88 3697). 3 in the engine compartment (engines + generator), 1 in the cabin sole by the wet bar (head), 1 in the galley floor under the microwave/range (salon AC) and 1 under the V-berth (fwd AC). I think that’s correct, but will post an update if not.

My generator is a Kohler, so I can’t help with that question.

dgreene wrote:Source of the post I’m not at my boat, but from memory there are 6 thru-hulls (in my ‘88 3697). 3 in the engine compartment (engines + generator), 1 in the cabin sole by the wet bar (head), 1 in the galley floor under the microwave/range (salon AC) and 1 under the V-berth (fwd AC). I think that’s correct, but will post an update if not.

My generator is a Kohler, so I can’t help with that question.

Sounds about right. I'm pretty sure my 87 3697 is just like that

OH WOW!!! That helps immensely!! I will be checking all 6 locations in the morning!!!
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

ohedron wrote:Source of the post OH WOW!!! That helps immensely!! I will be checking all 6 locations in the morning!!!
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

So, what’s the scoop?

Sorry, just getting back! Found 5 of the 6 thu-hulls. I am missing thr one in the forward cabin, IF indeed there is one there. Still looking for the sump for the AC accumulator. But I am still looking. Alas, still no glory on finding the generator dipstick. That just means I will keep looking!@
THANK YOU everyone for your help.
One thru-hull, generator cooling, I think needs replacing, it leaks into the bilge right before the generator. Alas, it was too dark for pics, I will get some next time I'm there!!!

Thru-hulls seacocks are some things that need to be exercised regularly, so that you KNOW they will work when you need them!! Too many folks just open them up at the beginning of the season and forget about them. If they're already stuck you might want to wait until the boat is pulled before you really try and break them loose, but if they are working now then get in a habit of opening and closing them periodically (maybe once a month or so).