Carver Owners Forum

I have a 2007 Carver 420SS. Broke two shafts within a month of each other. Less than 300 hours. Mechanic says its either a problem with design or quality of metal used. Anyone else have this problem? Sent a note to Carver and not getting any response.

I've never seen a Carver break a shaft. Was there any vibration while running the boat?

Wow! That's all you need is a drive shaft bouncing around the inside of a resin hull! Better install some drive shaft loops.
Just kidding on the loops.
Did the shafts break clean at the welds, or was the shaft simply torn apart, as in ripped?

I've seen them break as a result of corrosion. On close inspection, you can see pinholes on the surface but poor quality SS will have cavities under those pinholes that can eventually grow and weaken the shaft. Not difficult to determine if that was the issue, just inspect one of the broken ends. Someone who knows what to look for will be able to tell if that was the cause. Short of that, the only other things I can think of is a previous bad impact that weakened the shaft but it was repaired instead of replaced (they're never the same after), or a very bad alignment, but for it to be that bad, you would have felt something more than just a slight vibration.

Not sure that I have anything to add, but we have an odd squealing noise coming from what appears to be the driveshaft opening (where the shaft seal fits) to port. I was figuring a pull and a cursory review, but I have a 2007 42SS as well and now I may have it much more carefully inspected...thanks. Also have a buddy with one (same year) I'll pass along.

This post was on another boating forum with several responses but nothing further from the OP. Unless we hear back from the OP I consider this a slam post against Carver and nothing more.

I saw that