Carver Owners Forum

Looking at possibly purchasing a 1981 Carver 3007 with twin 270 Crusaders. Looks average for the year, definitely needs TLC.

It has some large chipping by the water line on one side. Would the chipping concern you? I've never had to have the bottom painted but I'm sure it's not cheap.

One engine only goes into reverse as well. I've had boats enough in the past, to suspect it's likely the velvet drive, since I know I would have fixed a easy fix before selling.

Picture of the chipping is attached. They lowered the price to $11,800

Would you pass? I'm thinking that's to high, in my opinion.

Welcome aboard.
The chipping is just old layers of paint falling off. That alone wouldn’t be enough to deter me. Sandblasting or a lot of elbow grease and a sander will take off all those layers. The transmission is a bigger issue but still manageable.

Personally, I wouldn’t touch that boat until the seller fixed the transmission. It could be something very simple and easy to fix or it might not and could cost thousands. I had a trans problem a few years ago and the cost of taking the transmission out and reinstalling was not cheap and multiple not cheap by 4 x to rebuild the trans. As I said, it could easily cost thousands.

Once the trans is fixed, DO NOT buy without a survey and sea trial and agree, price is high.

as viper said, the chipping is just bottom paint, nothing to be worried about at all.
As for the reverse, it could be an easy fix. If you have any mechanical ability, open up the floor so you can see the velvet drive. Have someone at the helm to move the shift lever from forward to neutral then to reverse. Make sure the trans lever is moving to all three positions. It is possible that the shift cable is bad or just needs adjustment.

Pass. They are asking way to much for a boat that age, even in decent condition. My opinion.
Oh. And welcome aboard?

Welcome to the forum........Pass imo....it ain't the paint , that particular boat in that condition could end up costing you a ton of money you will not recover. Don't get caught up thinking it is cheap, even free boats can be a very bad deal.

My advice, make a deal with a surveyor for a quick look and opinion. If boating is what you want then a surveyor relationship will prove very beneficial down the road.

Thanks everyone for your input. I am passing. My original offer was 8000, for that figured I'd take the risk, as long as the compression was good. I would rebuild the velvet drive myself, but was still debating if it was worth the amount of work involved, mostly with the removal.

I've had Sea Rays in the past, newer ones though. Hadn't ever considered something this old.