Carver Owners Forum

Twin 305's 690 hours. 3 years in Dry Dock.
How will the seals for the drive shafts hold up?
We're going to drop it in the water and do a sea trial but what do I need to look for and what is common?
Any assistance here would be totally appreciated.

If its been sitting for three years (as the boat I purchased this spring had been), the old fuel will need to be removed, oil changed and shafts repacked. This should be done by the seller PRIOR to your survey and sea trial. The raw water impellers for the motors and generator (if it has a generator) are most likely ready to fail unless they were replaced when it was pulled out of the water and never used. They may work for your sea trial but will more than likely fail this season or early next, I would insist they are replaced. Also have the surveyor do a complete check of all hoses, pumps etc. for the engines and fresh water, black water and a/c systems. Hoses tend to dry and crack after long periods not being used.

I had all of the above done and or checked prior to purchasing my 1998 355 this spring (only about 225 total engine hours), it cost the previous owner almost 6k to make the required repairs, mostly hoses, clamps pumps etc. but saved me 6k plus time and grief.

Best of luck
tom

All good points from Tom. Definitely items on the high priority list.
- Also make sure the bilge float switches and bilge pumps are working before you head out for a sea trial.
- You may want to change the fuel filters before the sea trail and take a couple of extras along for the ride just in case.
- Also pop the distributor caps off and take a look inside for corrosion or you may not get far.
- Take a look under the engines for any signs of oil leaks prior to the sea trial and then take a look after the trial is over.
- Look for smoking engines that won't go away after the run, both from the exhaust and in the engine bay.
- Pull the hose off the rocker panels while the engines are running and see if there is any blow-by.
- Check the colour of the tranny fluid, should be a clear red and not smell burnt.