Carver Owners Forum

Hey everyone I searched and couldn’t find much info on this model. I am interested in buy this boat but wanted to get some feedback from you all. It has twin 350 crusaders and it has inboards. Any info you guys could share would be awesome. I really like what I have seen on this boat and if I purchase it I will become an active member here. Thanks everyone

Welcome board.

Interesting, I don't recall having seen an inboard version of that model and vintage. The ones I've seen were sterndrive versions. I know some had the older Volvo dual prop Volvos which are difficult to find some parts for now.

Hopefully one of the members can offer up some model related concerns above those inherent to all makes and models. It goes without saying that when it becomes one of the final few on your list that it's wise to get a survey.

Welcome Aboard and good luck with the possible purchase.

Far fewer inboards of this model compared to I/O powered. It has V-drives, and the Crusader engines are best in class IMO. If you were really looking for a Mariner, based on your boating style, this Express is not even close in cabin space. The condition of this boat is really a matter of previous owner care & maintenance. Absolutely get a survey done by a surveyor of your choice, and a mechanical inspection by a qualified mechanic. How many hours are on the boat? Where are you located? I would try to connect with the previous owner(s) and see how they ran the boat. Here is a link for some info. er https://carveryachts.blob.core.windows. ... 6/1997.pdf

Cooler wrote:Source of the post Far fewer inboards of this model compared to I/O powered. It has V-drives, and the Crusader engines are best in class IMO. If you were really looking for a Mariner, based on your boating style, this Express is not even close in cabin space. The condition of this boat is really a matter of previous owner care & maintenance. Absolutely get a survey done by a surveyor of your choice, and a mechanical inspection by a qualified mechanic. How many hours are on the boat? Where are you located? I would try to connect with the previous owner(s) and see how they ran the boat. Here is a link for some info. er https://carveryachts.blob.core.windows. ... 6/1997.pdf

Thanks for that! The boat has 1280 hours. I boat in the finger lakes so all fresh water. I am looking for a boat that my family can enjoy the lake and slip in comfortably on weekends. There are 4 of us and a medium sized dog. I will absolutely get a survey done on it after i do a walk thru. Is that a lot of hours on the engines if they were well maintained? I am not familiar with crusader engines but from what i have read is that they are great engines that last a long time.

Crusader engines are built with quality and longevity in mind. The founder was actually an aviation engineer that wanted to build engines with that type of performance in mind. Aviation engines have to feature an extremely low failure rate because, a plane can't just float until help arrives. All marinized parts are top shelf, high quality. Seals and gaskets are much thicker to avoid leaks. They generally do not need any rebuild thoughts until 2500 hours. ( that compares favorably with most other engines at 1500 hrs for rebuild ) But again, it depends on how the engines were run and maintained. With 4 peeps & a dog, you will be comfortable with this style of boat for weekends. It will feel smaller if you plan to spend more than a couple of nights on it. A Mariner is more like a condo with lot's of living space and more privacy built into the floor plan. er

Are you looking at Don Wilson's boat at Beacon Bay? I would not worry about the hours, I torn down 1986 Crusaders with 1300 hours and they were incredible inside. Your going to need a great trailer and truck to haul that unit. If we sold our 355, I was thinking of down sizing to that boat. I think's a deal @ $26K. Only down side I see is that the 5.7L/350's like there fuel. But I'm sure with a little intrigue, one can find their sweet spots for optimum fuel consumption.

Just FYI - the 5.7XL Crusaders on my Mariner have that "sweet spot" at 3000 RPM. Vessel is about 15.7K lbs, and seas would be 1 to 2 ft. At that RPM, it burns about 15 gal per hour. Way better than the 24 gal per hour at 3400RPM. Probably running very similar props. Let us know how things are progressing. er

mjk1040 wrote:Source of the post Are you looking at Don Wilson's boat at Beacon Bay? I would not worry about the hours, I torn down 1986 Crusaders with 1300 hours and they were incredible inside. Your going to need a great trailer and truck to haul that unit. If we sold our 355, I was thinking of down sizing to that boat. I think's a deal @ $26K. Only down side I see is that the 5.7L/350's like there fuel. But I'm sure with a little intrigue, one can find their sweet spots for optimum fuel consumption.

Yes i am! I am hoping to go look at it soon. do you know if it is in good shape?

It sure appears to be via the photos, be glad to look at it with you if you wish, just let me know when your going to look at it.