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Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
- BoatGal2020
- Scurvy Dog
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Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
I'm new to this forum and am in the process of purchasing a used Carver 57 Voyager. I've narrowed down my search to three different boats. One of them has a hardtop, but it doesn't have as many options as the other two that have a bimini top. All three have full flybridge enclosures. What's your opinion on hardtops? Is it worth buying the boat that has one and know I may have to put in money down the road for things the hardtop boat doesn't have such as updated electronics, a water maker and some other perks?
Thanks for any advice!
BoatGal
- chpsk8
- First Mate
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
What's the value of a hardtop to you and even the potential resale value.
What options are missing that you actually would want or use that you would need to buy?
Do you want a hardtop?
If you bought the one without the hardtop, would you add it later... and at what cost?
Electronics are something that you redo every so many years anyways, so that expense will be out there in the future.
Watermakers are nice...expensive.. but do you need it?
Just some thoughts
- BoatGal2020
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
chpsk8 wrote:Source of the post I think it's a math problem right?
What's the value of a hardtop to you and even the potential resale value.
What options are missing that you actually would want or use that you would need to buy?
Do you want a hardtop?
If you bought the one without the hardtop, would you add it later... and at what cost?
Electronics are something that you redo every so many years anyways, so that expense will be out there in the future.
Watermakers are nice...expensive.. but do you need it?
Just some thoughts
Thanks! Very good point on the electronics and the actual use of a watermaker. This will be my first boat, so I'm mainly trying to figure out how much better the hardtop is and how desirable. Will it increase the future sale value, or are people just as happy with a bimini? The hardtop allows for AC in the flybridge, but is that something anyone would actually use? Sorry for novice questions, but I really don't have much experience to draw from.
- Tireless
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
If my boat did not have a hardtop, I don't think I would spend the $30,000 to have one made and installed.
I also think you have to decide what's important to you. Newer electronics are great and a must if you move aground a lot in your boat. I guess the question for me would be, are the electronics in the hardtop boat sufficient to assist with your travel and navigation. You also don't have to go with expensive MFD's as you can supplement what you have with an iPad and the Navionics software, which I have been using for years. I just purchased a new iPad Pro and it is fantastic with a 12.9 " screen.
Not sure anyone can tell you what to do. Its personal preference. I amp sure there are others factors involved in your decision other than the electronic and hardtop.
Good luck with your decision and let us all know what you decide.
Greg
- wkeith
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
Walter
- bud37
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
There are a few around here and they look great with the hard top and extension.The original factory look would be hard to duplicate IMO....My two cents... Quite the first boat.....good luck with your search
- RGrew176
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
2022 Stingray 182 SC
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- ColRon
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
1989 Carver Santego 3867
“Escape Plan”
Murray, KY
- BoatGal2020
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
ColRon wrote:Source of the post The Admiral has decided our next boat will be a 50 something Voyager and it will have a hard top. Still a few years down the road, but we also plan on living aboard when we make the switch and doing the loop is on the bucket list.
So you definitely see the value of the hard top. Thanks!
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Re: Hardcover or not? 57 Used Carver Purchase Decision
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