Carver Owners Forum

Hello everyone, bought a basket case Carver 380 and I’m looking to see if anyone out there has a carver 380 in a diesel has I’d like to keep this boat for the next 20 years it currently has MerCruiser 7.4 MPI magnum 380 hp engines which I’m not fond of, I would like to re-power this boat with diesels, and would like to get as much information as I can in regards to engines, transmissions running gear, fuel tanks, etc. if there’s anyone that has a Carver 380 diesel or information as to what I would need to make this happen I would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jeff.

Have you really thought this through? Not only new engines/transmissions, but new props, new genset, bigger, beefier batteries and just possibility, the prop shafts may not be big enough to handle the torque of diesels and may have to be a little bigger. Unless you are qualified to DIY this project, you looking at a huge labor bill. All of this will be major $$$$.

I am guessing close to $100,000 before all is said and done.

Midnightsun wrote:I am guessing close to $100,000 before all is said and done.

I'm no expert in this, but you are probably not far off, especially if the labor is hired out.

Welcome to the forum.....Because it sounds like you are regretting the purchase.....in that case my advice would be, fix the bad engine and sell the boat. Then you can get the diesel trawler it sounds like you are looking for...... .

Fyi, the newer high rpm, light duty high HP turbo diesels do not have much more life than gassers and the maintenance is up there, if that is what you are thinking,

As has been mentioned , depending on the diesel power package you choose it will very near what Hans estimated or more considering all the peripherals.....consider what the completed boat with all the upgrades would sell for on the market if that came up.

Consider joining Boatdiesel.....lots of good info/discussions there.