Carver Owners Forum

Greetings all! I'm a newbie Carver owner with a couple of questions I'm sure someone out there can answer.
1. I have a circular gauge on the electrical panel that shows the fresh water amount. However, I've yet to find a gauge of any kind that shows what the level of fill is for the BLACK water tank. I realize I probably could go crawling around below deck and look for the tank but seems to me there should be a gauge somewhere. Ideas?
2. I recently (I've only had the boat a little over a month) ran into an issue with the motor stalling as we were trying to enter a slip, very dodgy moment. So, I brought in a well-recommended mechanic to try to suss out the continuous problem with getting the engines running and keeping them running. The mechanic was perplexed by the boat shuddering when we tried to start the engines (Volvo Pentas). He developed a theory that there might be excessive back pressure due to the underwater exhaust arrangement. Any ideas on this?
OK, there will be more questions coming as I get more up close and personal with this gorgeous vessel, so, I thank any respondent in advance
Cheers!
Patrick

It has nothing to do with the underwater exhaust. Find a new mechanic.
If they are gas engines, most likely time for a tune up.
What engines and how many hours?

Good day! Have the same boat. Believing that you have 8.1 VP gas? If so, the stalling is very common. The ISC , Idle Servo Control) valve on the the throttle body could go bad, causing stalling when idling or going trying to start. Very common.

As far as your holding tank goes, on my 2001, 356, I have a small panel right next to the head with 4 indicator lights on it, green, yellow, orange and red. Green is empty, red is full. Sure you don’t have one as well?

I agree with the guys. Could be the IAC or IACV (idle air control valve), or they may just need tune ups. If the boat is new to you and you don't know when an ignition tune up was last done, that's where I would start. And if you don't know when the impellers were changed, I strongly recommend replacing those too. As Tom mentioned, post the engine model you have, if you have a serial, post that too as that will indicate the actual build.

Have you tried looking in the head for the black water gauge? Look in cabinets, behind curtains, etc. You may instead have an electronic indicator somewhere with LEDs instead of a gauge. I suspect you have a Vacuflush head? If so, check the control switch if you have one beside the head and look for any hint that it may indicate levels too.

When I bought my 356, it came with Crusader 8.1's. The IAC on the port engine was making a lot of noise and my surveyor said it needed to be replaced. It was replaced and no problems since.

The tank is between the engines. The indicator lights on my 2003 360 are in the cabinet opposite the head where the TP is. I would also suggest a tune up. There isn't much to do, plugs, perhaps wires and inspection. It will depend on the hours?

Your stalling could also be a common VP problem of the paint flaking off the inside of the fuel pump and clogging the filter. No clue why they ever painted it. As I found out its not impossible to back into a covered slip on one engine..... And the above is correct for your black water tank monitor. On the right side of the cabinet where your TP is. I just sold my 2005 360 so feel free to contact me with any questions sir.

Just went through the stalling issue with the port engine as we were lining up with the slip. Oh, just great! Anyway, turns out the batteries were shot and the alternator could not keep up with the electrical demand. Replaced the batteries; all fixed. This is a 2005 Carver 360 Sport Sedan. One other thing: if you want to replace the shore power cables be prepared to spend some $$$. Carver, in their infinite marine wisdom, decided to hard wire the original cable to the midship panel. Yes, really, they did. So, I had to buy two 100 ft 30 amp cables and have my electrician cut them and install a couple of sockets in the transom (just like almost every other boat) so I could disconnect them prior to setting out on a trip (just like other boats). Other than that, she's a beauty!

The indicator for the black water tank is in the cabinet where the TP is opposite from the toilet. open the doors and look to the right.