Opinion on 2757 Montego

[palmettosunshine]

Hello Everyone!

My wife and I are looking at a 1989 Carver Montego. We live in Myrtle Beach and mostly cruise the ICW and hang out at Bird Island and are looking to upgrade from our current jet boat. We've just outgrown it and after being caught in a nasty microburst last year my wife is insisting on something with a cabin!

I'm fairly new to boating but my wife grew up on Lake Ontario and has been boating her whole life. I doubt I know enough to ask intelligent questions so I'll keep it brief.

Any opinions on this particular boat? Any common issues? We would keep the boat in a local marina and spend some nights on it there and occasionally an overnight on the water.

I can't seem to find much online so it seemed like a natural choice to come to the folks that own Carvers.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1989-CARVER-Montego--2757-102347847

Thanks in advance,
Frederick

[tomschauer]

I bought a 1988 2757 in 1997. I had it for 9 years. I loved this boat. I don't think there is another 27 around with as much room. Mine had the merc 190hp four cylinders, and was a bit underpowered when loaded heavy. you wont have that problem with the 4.3's.
It does have wood in the hull, transom and stringers, so have someone check to make sure they are all solid. If so you should be in good shape.

thanks
Tom

[palmettosunshine]

Thanks for the prompt replies! We are still looking at this boat and trying to figure out what we're doing. Something about this one just keeps bringing us back to it. Doesn't hurt that the boat and my wife have the same name....

[mjk1040]

Buy It!
Mike

[Golfgippsland]

Source of the post I had an '88 2757 for 15 years. I too loved this boat! She had the 3.7LX Mercs and cruised at about 24 MPH burning 10 GPH. The 4.3's will burn slightly more, but not much. There is no wood in the hull of this carver, only fiberglass covered wood stringers and transom, as well as platforms for batteries and tanks. We removed the original carpet and installed Cherry hardwood flooring, added AC, and replaced canvas once. The new owners have now had her for 4 seasons and absolutely love her.

Hi just wondering how hard is it to install air conditioning. I have a santego 2767 with twin mercruiser 470's 180's. one has the alternator conversion the other power steering unit. Has anyone done this?

[Ramsport47]

It wasn't hard in the Montego, and shouldn't be hard in the Santego. From the factory, it was mounted centerline under the dinette seat. In your boat, the water heater is there. They moved the water heater fwd under the bed. Ductwork may be the most difficult

[RGrew176]

Good luck, I hope everything works out for you and you end up with the boat you want.

[tomschauer]

I also installed the ac in my montego. I used a mermaid 7000 btu unit. I installed it in the storage area port forward side of the aft cabin. I ran two ducts behind the fridge, under the sink and discharging under the cook top into the dinette, one towards the bow and one towards the head door. Another just above the storage area for the aft cabin. I used a hole saw and cut four, four inch returns in the cabin stairs and used PVC sewer vent covers for return grilles about $2.00 each. the color matched the fiberglass stairs. Drilled a discharge hole above the water line of course very near the unit. Installed the pump between the motors. I actually used the 1" drain for my intake. Before splashing the boat, I would screw in my nipple, ball valve assembly and connect the a/c tubing. As you have no need for a drain while on the water, I saw no need to drill another hole in the hull.
I mounted the t stat beside the electrical panel between the head and aft cabin. The system worked great. Back then, I thing I spent less than $800 for everything including breaker, and tinned copper marine "romex" and spend about seven hours on the install. Today the parts will most likely cost 2x. But its worth it if you stay on the boat in the summer.

[vince954]

I still got one, got it last year at a charity auction. has the dual 3.4l mercruisers. So far its gotten a bunch of electric work including replacing all the fuses with breakers, replaced both outdrives and a bunch of other minor stuff.

we love the boat, low profile gets under bridges, plenty of room to sleep 4 adults and more with kids. easy to handle... we are enjoying it.