Carver Owners Forum

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to tap into the experience of Carver owners here for some practical input.

I’m currently sourcing a boat on behalf of a friend — the arrangement is that I’ll help find a suitable vessel, get it seaworthy, and oversee its transport (or delivery) to the Turks & Caicos. Once there, it will mainly serve as a liveaboard in a marina (at extremely good rate for me when needed), with occasional local recreational use.

I’ve come across a Carver 42, which is mechanically well maintained but in need of some upgrades which I’ll carry out. It has Crusader petrol engines. On paper and in person, it’s in good shape, and the 42 is perfect for its intended liveaboard purpose.

However, I’m trying to gauge whether the trip from the Bahamas down to Turks & Caicos would be realistically feasible in this vessel. Shipping the boat is proving cost-prohibitive, and my preference would be to invest that budget into the boat itself on upgrades, systems, safety gear, etc. rather than on transport.

I would be using a professional delivery skipper, and a couple of experienced captains have expressed interest but I want to make sure it’s feasible generally speaking, before committing to the purchase, should I have to find a new skipper. The plan would be to make the run in multiple legs, taking the route with maximum possible fuel and marina stops, given the range limitations of a petrol-powered Carver 42.

Before we go any further, I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s either:

1. Owned or delivered a similar Carver (particularly with Crusader gas engines) on longer passages,
2. Operated one extensively in the Caribbean or Bahamas, or
3. Has insight into sea-handling, and practical considerations for this kind of trip.

I’ve searched the forum (and others) as best I can, and obviously the boat lends itself to the Great Loop, but this one off trip is more demanding.

All input welcome. I’m not trying to push the limits, just looking to make an informed, safe, and cost-sensible decision.

Thanks in advance for any real-world advice!

CP

A gas powered 4207 is a pig. If the water is flat, it's a great boat. On a river, it's a great boat. Anything more than 2 foot waves it gets dicey, especially from behind. A 42 with gas engine is SERIOUSLY underpowered for open sea.

Thanks for the reply. As it’s going to be used as a liveaboard, the engines are not particularly important for the long term, but the transportation to the destination is the issue.

Is the problem as you see it, being the underpowered engine or the hull type?

Is it possible to make the crossing with good planning, in your opinion.

I see that you had a 4207 previously. Other than the gas fuel being an issue, did you otherwise consider it to be a good boat?

Thanks again for your time in answering.

It was a great roomy boat. With 500hp Cats, it was a fantastic boat; I was able to pilot one
How many miles is the trip?

The trip is 380 miles with the longest leg of 80 miles, which has a couple of bail out anchorages along the way. The longest fuel gap will be 180 miles.

I don't think you are going to make 180 miles. At 15 miles an hour, you'll be about 2 gallons a mile for 12 hours.

Thank you.

I figured it would need to be a journey which needs to be made at 8 mph.

Cp100 wrote:Source of the post Thank you.

I figured it would need to be a journey which needs to be made at 8 mph.

Just another point to consider. The third rule for fuel reserve safety, one third out and one third back with a third left over, this covers eventualities in case of weather or sea state changes. You could discuss that with your potential transport captain.

A 22 hour trip continuous? Better be darn sure there no weather disturbances anywhere near your path.

I think the idea was they were taking the entire trip over 5/6 days, weather permitting.

Based on our discussion, I’m thinking it’s perhaps not the best idea.

I really appreciate your full engagement and advice!

Thank you