Carver Owners Forum

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum, hoping to become a regular member. I'm looking at a 28ft Carver Montego - if my research is correct it is a Montego 528. This would make me a new boat owner, I have little boating experience and no one in my life who does, so I'm doing research in hopes of making an informed decision.

I'm interested in input on this model: good things as well as downsides and things to consider. The boat would be used primarily as a fishing/hunting vessel in the Cook Inlet of Alaska (halibut fishing, crabbing, deer hunting, etc). It is being sold for $25,000 (including some fishing gear). There are 938 hours total on the engines, according to the seller it has a 570 inboard and a Volvo Penta outboard. We'd likely want to take it out on reasonable days, I'm not interested in getting into 10ft seas, but it would need to be able to handle changing weather (as can be expected in Alaska).

Would you folks be willing to offer opinions, both good and bad, about this? What things do I need to know? What questions do I need to ask? Is the price reasonable if the boat is in decent shape?

Thank you in advance!

I can't help you much. Our first boat was a 28, so don't be concerned about that.
I'd be concerned about a single engine and an outdrive in salt water. But, my concerns are because I have absolutely no experience in cold water in Alaska!
Good luck, welcome aboard, and keep us informed.

waybomb wrote:I can't help you much. Our first boat was a 28, so don't be concerned about that.
I'd be concerned about a single engine and an outdrive in salt water. But, my concerns are because I have absolutely no experience in cold water in Alaska!
Good luck, welcome aboard, and keep us informed.

Thanks for the information and the reply! Besides the salt water, any other concerns worth mentioning? Do you think the boat would work well for the purposes I described?

If I’m not mistaken, the 570 is a 350 ci engine (5.7). A 28’ boat is a lot of boat being pushed by a small block engine. I would want to see that boat with a big block 454 (7.4). There’s just no replacement for displacement

alaskan-fisherman wrote:Source of the post There are 938 hours total on the engines, according to the seller it has a 570 inboard and a Volvo Penta outboard.

Welcome......not clear from your description whether the boat has twin screws or single..If it were me and I wanted to go offshore I would definitely want twin power for getting home ......a big safety factor. Is the boat on a trailer?

welcome aboard. What a wonderful place to boat. Good luck

I don't know about the boat prices in Alaska, but I bought a 1988 2757 Montego in 1999 with 320 hours on the twin engines from the original owner for 24k.
I'm not sure but I think the 27 actually had a wider beam the the 28.

Do your due diligence and make sure you are getting a good boat at a fair price.

And consider the waters. You mention you do not want to go out in 10' seas. My Montego did great with anything under 4'. In 10 footers i would make sure I hade on a life jacket eprib and tied myself to the helm chair. I think the boat would have taken it, but it would have been a wild and very wet ride!
I sold mine in 2010 with 850 hours for $8,000.

I know everything is more expensive in Alaska, but that asking price seems a tad high. No clue what the owner has invested in it, and fishing equipment can add a lot in a hurry. Also not aware of your Inlet area. The Volvo is a duoprop and very reliable. In Alaska, I also would be more comfortable with a twin engine vessel. The boat itself was built really well, solid hull below waterline, good match of power to hull performance, but could use more torque in bad weather. Beam is 9.5 ft so there will be a little rock & roll, especially with a single engine. Most of it would come down to how good the vessel was maintained. Good luck. er

Hi, I know your post was a couple of years ago but I was wondering if you decided to buy the 528 and, if so, how are you finding it? Any regrets?
Cheers

dthomas1.....welcome to the forum.....seems like you may be #900 Canadian joined up. No prizes just bragging rights.....enjoy the forum.