Following the success of the C37 Coupe, Carver’s new C34 Coupe emphasizes comfort, convenience and space management. It’s evident the moment you step aboard the nearly 4-foot-long swim platform. Activities begin with an optional Kenyon electric grill concealed within a fiberglass console with a small sink and freshwater faucet, but a closer look reveals Carver’s attention to more important details like grippy molded nonslip, built-in stowage compartments, a hot-and-cold transom shower, stainless-steel grab rails, and toe-snub-free recessed cleats in the platform corners for tying up a dinghy.

Up the steps and through the gate into the cockpit, I discovered that the L-shaped lounge converts to a sun pad, that its base conceals stowage, and an optional electric cold box in the bench keeps drinks handy. A high-low table creates an alfresco dining area, complemented by an optional SureShade power sunshade. Molded steps and overhead grab rails provide convenient access to the bow, and the narrow walk-around features an average rail height of 25 to 26 inches and a 1-inch toe rail. The bow rail has an intermediary run as well.

A three-section sliding glass door leads to the air-conditioned salon and opens the cockpit into the boat’s interior, creating ­multiple gathering areas. At the same time, it allows privacy and all-weather protection at the dock and underway. The salon is flooded with natural light, with a one-piece windshield, thin mullions, and large side panels. A fixed skylight and shade are standard, but our test boat had the available power sunroof. Carver’s interior glossy cherry joinery throughout is rich and complemented the easy-care laminated wood flooring. An L-shaped sofa on a raised platform and a high-low walnut table with fiddle rails deliver an invitation to relax and enjoy meals. To starboard, a 32-inch flat-screen television provides entertainment, and the galley area is outfitted with solid-surface counters, an undermounted stainless-steel sink, electric induction cooktop, refrigerator/freezer, and a microwave at a convenient waist-high level. Not as convenient: The AC power panel is ­beneath the table in the sofa base.

Visibility from the helm is good, ­although the sole-to-ceiling appliance package partially blocks the starboard corner. Backing into a slip, just keep your eyes on the port side. The dash is covered with brown leather to offset glare, and accessory switches and controls, including the Axius joystick control, are aptly placed. Try the seated and standing positions to ensure you can see the instrumentation. Our test boat had a Raymarine multifunction display, which I could see fine, but the MerCruiser readout on the flat to the right of the wheel would be better placed on the dash panel so it would be more easily read.

Head belowdecks and the intrinsic advantages of the plumb bow design are ­obvious in the size of the forward stateroom, which includes air conditioning, a full-size berth and 6-foot-8-inch headroom. Fixed hullside windows illuminate the space. Ample overhead and rope lighting, a 32-inch flat-screen television, sizable hanging locker, and Bomar translucent deck hatch fill the bill for sleeping in comfort.

Amidships, a lounge area with an L-shaped sofa converts to a full-size berth and can be ordered with a bulkhead from the factory to create a private stateroom. The space below provided another surprise for us in the nicely appointed head with its Techma freshwater-flush marine toilet, an opening port in the hullside window, air conditioning, and a walnut-framed vanity with a solid-surface top. The molded nonslip sole had us believing this was a wet head until we saw the walk-in shower stall with its seat and plexiglass door.

Performance impressed us as well. Our test boat with twin 300 hp MerCruiser 6.2 Bravo Three DTS SeaCore sterndrives rips to a top speed of 39 mph. It’s thirsty at 46 gph, yet it’s nice to know you can get home in a hurry. Its midrange performance in the mid-to-high 20s is comfortable and efficient. The twin props grab plenty of water for rapid acceleration, and maneuvering around the dock using the Axius joystick is intuitive.

I had to remove the cockpit table to ­access the engine compartment, but once inside, I discovered that Carver hits a home run. Mechanical installations are clean, and chafe gear abounds. Through-hull fittings and seacocks are labeled, and access to engines, the 6.5 kW Westerbeke generator, battery banks, bilge pumps and other equipment is a walk in the park. Acoustical insulation on the forward engine compartment bulkhead and sealed wire and plumbing passages result in a notably quiet ride. Carver even includes a pair of boxes that rest along the stringers for tools and spare parts. Beneath the surface, the C34 Coupe has a resin-infused hull, rugged fiberglass stringer system and 10-year structural-hull limited warranty.

Comparison shoppers might look at the Jeanneau NC 33 ($295,000 base price with 220 hp Volvo Penta D3 diesel inboards). The smallest Carver, the C34 Coupe will appeal to new boat owners moving into the cruising lifestyle, as well as loyal Carver fans moving down.

High Points
* Visibility from the helm is enhanced thanks to a one-piece windshield and thin mullions.
* Polished stainless-steel hardware is plentiful and oversize.
* Head includes a shower stall with a fiberglass seat that spouses will love.

Low Points
* Transom grill could use a cover over the sink to provide a cutting board.
* Steep staircase heads below into the cabin.
* Cockpit table must be removed to access the engine compartment.

Price: $472,320 (as tested; base $335,715)

Available Power: Sterndrive + Inboard

How We Tested
Engines: Twin 300 hp MerCruiser 6.2 Bravo Three DTS SeaCore gas sterndrives
Props: 20″ pitch stainless-Steel Bravo Three propset
Gear Ratio: 2.20:1
Fuel Load: 110 gal.
Water On Board: 50 gal
Crew Weight: 360 lb.

More Information
Carver Yachts – Pulaski, Wisconsin; 920-822-3214; carveryachts.com

The post Carver C34 Coupe appeared first on Boating Mag.

If I could sum up the essence of the Carver C43 Coupe in two words, they would be living space. That’s because, just as it did with the C40 and the C37 before it, Carver seeks to maximize usable space belowdecks, in the salon and also in the aft cockpit.

It starts with Carver’s plumb bow design. Instead of the heavy taper at the bow seen on most modern planing boats, the plumb bow carries the hull sides almost vertically down to the water, maximizing the beam forward. This design element allows for the spacious master stateroom with a private en suite head. Though still nestled in the stem of the boat, the island berth sits lower than it would on a boat with a tapered bow, allowing for easier entrance and exit from the bed. There’s also wider space to either side than you’d typically find. With 6 feet 8 inches of headroom belowdecks, the whole space feels like it has the nautical equivalent of cathedral ceilings.

Notably, the en suite head to port has a separate shower stall so that cruisers can bathe without dousing the entire bathroom. The sink features a trendy elevated basin. A skylight overhead keeps the space brightly lit, and of course there’s the obligatory privacy shade.

There’s a well-appointed guest head across the hall on the starboard side that is accessible from the hallway or the guest stateroom just aft of it. The guest stateroom features twin beds that can be converted to a full via a cushion insert.

Upstairs, the living space — from the helm to the salon and out to the cockpit — is all about flow. Everything is on the same level, allowing for continuous movement between the galley, the dinette and the cockpit. The setup maximizes entertainment value. With the double-wide seat at the helm and another directly opposite the helm to port, the captain can be included in conversation as well. I like how the helm seat features a separate flip-up bolster for the captain so he or she can adjust the seat to sit or stand as desired. The helm features an inset dash for flush-mount electronics and an ergonomically placed steering wheel that tilts to the captain’s preference. The joystick control sits to the left of the helm, the rocker switch controls to the right. Everything is within easy reach whether standing or sitting. With the skinny mullions in the windshield and windows around the entire salon, Carver does a great job in maximizing visibility from the helm, though a coupe never achieves the unfettered 360-degree visibility a bridge design affords, as found aboard the sister C40.

If it’s light and openness you want, though, push a button and retract the sunroof, a feature that boaters in the Southern region will adore. The galley runs aft of the passenger seating to port, ideally suited to serve both the dinette to starboard and the cockpit out of the sliding glass doors. The fridge is located at the aft end of it for just that reason. I like how the aft bench of the dinette has an adjustable backrest so that, when the sliders are open, guests can face aft and socialize with folks in the cockpit or just enjoy watching the wake.

Other coupes, such as the Tiara 44 Coupe ($903,704 with twin 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600 diesels), employ a salon abovedecks that flows into the cockpit, but the Tiara’s is a split-level. Others, like the Regal 42 Sport Coupe ($751,665 with twin 300 hp Volvo Penta IPS400 diesels), feature a more traditional layout, with more open space abovedecks and with the galley and salon below.

From the C43’s cockpit, it’s easy to walk forward to the bow along the side walkways. The walkway itself is 13 inches wide, so you don’t have to shimmy sideways, and there are strategically placed handholds along the way. Not to mention that the stainless-steel bow rail measures above my knees (I’m 5 feet 11 inches, average height), so it serves as a handhold and is tall enough not to trip over. The bow area is flat with a nonskid surface, so it’s a safe spot for handling lines or dealing with the anchor windlass tucked under a bow hatch. There’s a remote-controlled spotlight mounted on the bow rail.

With the boat’s wide beam and spacious interior, you’d expect it to look kind of like a floating tub. This is not the case. Carver worked hard to design the C43 with a sleek, sporty profile with an eye-catching broken sheer line. It has none of the excessive freeboard seen on the older generation of cruiser-oriented coupes. With the twin 480 hp Cummins diesels, we pushed this boat to a pleasant top speed of 36.5 mph. Ease off the throttles just a bit and the boat settles into a sweet spot at around 28 mph. While it’s not a speed burner, the diesel power and 350-gallon fuel tank give the boat a peak 329-mile cruising range. And that’s the point of this boat, not only to cruise but also to make the journey as entertaining as possible along the way.

Comparable Models: Tiara 44 Coupe, Regal 42 Sport Coupe

The post Carver C43 Coupe appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Carver C37 Coupe stands out as unique in the realm of coupe cruisers for two reasons. First, whereas most coupes in this range have some version of a vented hardtop or a covered bridge deck that’s fully open aft, the C37 Coupe offers a fully enclosed cabin, complete with glass doors between the salon and cockpit. Second, in contrast with most of the boats in this class with slim V-hulls that taper to a point toward the stem, the C37 opts for a plumb bow design that carries the beam farther forward in a more rounded fashion. The result is a wider foredeck and more living space in the forward cabin below.

The plumb bow design allows Carver to design the C37 with a large master stateroom with 6 feet 5 inches of headroom and a queen bed set lower down into the bow so that it’s easier to get in and out of, compared to boats with more tapered bows. To port there’s a full head with a separate shower stall and a bench seat, which is a fantastic use of space on a 37-foot boat. A midship stateroom to starboard can be outfitted with twins or a queen. The salon upstairs can convert to beds, providing sleeping space for six on board.

All of these amenities help the C37 meet and exceed its mission statement: to provide day-boaters who prefer gasoline sterndrives an upgrade to a weekender-style boat that offers a little more than the typical express cruiser. As competitors in this category offer pod-drive propulsion with joystick controls, Carver offers the option for the Axius sterndrive joystick system. Our test boat had it, which made inching in and out of our extremely tight slip at the marina a stress-free affair.

Once underway, the C37 Coupe touched speeds just under 40 mph while showing the agile handling afforded by the twin counter-rotating dual propsets. While some may view the wide beam as a performance detriment, the plumb bow puts more of the hull in contact with the water, and it held its own in manufactured head and quartering seas. Plus, with the raked windshield, broken sheer line, extended hardtop and stylish windows, it looks pretty up on plane — and with a look all its own.

Comparable model: Pursuit SC 365

The post Carver C37 Coupe appeared first on Boating Mag.

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver C40

Carver calls the sedan bridge design on the new C40 a “command bridge,” and while we waited for the helicopter to show for our cover photo shoot, I could see the reasoning. Normally you can hear a chopper well before you see it, but from the elevated helm of the C40 I noticed it appear far off on the horizon, instantly validating the commanding view a bridge affords.

In designing a cruiser with a command bridge helm, Carver is aiming squarely at smaller express cruiser owners looking to up their overall length, cruising comfort and range. To achieve that, Carver designed the all-new C40 from the keel up, which means it sprung from new tooling with a fresh new design. Outside of the bridge, the most striking thing about the boat is its plumb bow, a design that carries the bow vertically down to the waterline. While plumb bows are common on workboats, military vessels and trawlers, it’s rare to see one on a planing cruiser these days — most builders opt for a stem that rakes aft to connect with the bottom at the waterline. A plumb bow keeps more hull in the water forward, helping to smooth the ride in rough seas. It also increases the interior volume of the boat, which, when combined with the 13-foot-6-inch beam, allows for a spacious layout belowdecks.

This is evident in the forward master stateroom, where the elevated island berth appears to be at a more accessible height than on comparable cruisers. Carver says it’s about a foot lower; while I wasn’t able to verify that claim, I could tell it was one of the easiest berths to climb in and out of, which is noteworthy. Also of note is the private master head with a separate fiberglass shower stall. There’s a day-head for guests across the passageway that has a handheld shower nozzle. That Carver was able to fit two heads plus a master and guest stateroom aboard a 40-footer is a testament to the extra volume the plumb bow helps to create.

There aren’t too many competitors in this category, but one to take a look at is the Meridian 391 Sedan ($578,687 with twin QSB 6.7-liter 380 hp Cummins diesel inboards), another cruiser with a sedan bridge helm and two staterooms belowdecks. The Meridian is actually beamier but sports a more raked bow and a straight sheer line, compared with the broken sheer of the C40’s profile. If you prefer octane to cetane, though, Meridian offers the 391 Sedan with a pair of 370 hp Mercury 8.1 Horizon gasoline inboards. There is no gas power option for the C40.

The C40’s salon is bathed in natural light, thanks to windows that wrap around its entirety. The sedan bridge helm allows for more amenities in the salon, such as the full galley to port with solid-surface countertops. To starboard there’s dedicated stemware stowage and a U-shaped dinette that can be converted to a bed if extra sleeping space is needed. (For boaters in cold-weather climates, a lower helm is offered as an option.) A small settee aft of the galley to port provides additional seating. I found the ride in the salon very pleasant while underway, recording a conversation-friendly 75 decibels (dbA) inside while running at 24 mph.

However, I’m the type of boater who likes to ride outside, and the C40 offers ample space for that. Start with the cockpit, which features a wraparound transom bench interrupted only by the stainless-steel boarding gate. (Owners looking to do some casual fishing can ditch the seating for an open cockpit array.) The cushions are covered in a plush champagne vinyl, and the backrests are mounted on separate fiberglass parts upheld by stainless-steel supports. Carver is unique in that all stainless steel and upholstery is done in-house

Carver also vacuum-bags every fiberglass part on the boat, even the hull and deck. The resin-infusion process is precise and keeps total weight down, important for a boat with large additional components like the command bridge. About that bridge, it provides the extra outdoor space that makes sedans so appealing compared with express cruisers. The twin bucket seats at the helm, the L-lounge to port and the aft sun pad all keep cruiser claustrophobia at bay.

If there’s a knock on this style of boat, it’s that its wide beam and high profile make it hard to steer in close quarters and susceptible to pounding in rough seas. But on photo-shoot day we ran the C40 outside the inlet in tight 2- to 3-footers and felt comfortable riding in the 20 to 25 mph range. Carver attributes that to the improved center of gravity afforded by inboards and the extra wetted surface from the plumb bow. Good traits for a cruiser. As for the close-quarters handling, the optional bow thruster solves the problem, as once we were safely inside the inlet we used it to ease into our slip at the marina. Bridge or no bridge, that was easy to see.

Comparable model: Meridian 391

The post Carver C40 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver C34

Carver’s C34 abounds with details that impress experienced skippers, such as raised edges on stair treads to ensure safe footing, deep hatch gutters to promote good drainage and keep gear dry, and cleat placement that provides security and several options while docking, anchoring or rafting with other boats. Also, from its seven-seater flying bridge lounge to its two-stateroom, two-head cabin plan, the C34 boasts features bound to impress guests.

What else did we discover? Read on, learn more details, and take a vicarious ride aboard the Carver C34.

While the C34 topped out at 31.8 mph, I was more impressed with the comfort this broad-bow, straight-stem little yacht delivered at 24 mph cruising in our test day’s blustery Atlantic chop: I enjoyed both the ride and the view from the flying bridge, and that’s not something that can be said of all flying bridge boats this size.

Running from a flybridge is like being on the long end of a stick. Motion is amplified. The three major components of a boat’s motion — roll, pitch and heave — which can feel comfortable at deck level, often become tortuous when experienced from 8 or 10 feet higher. It’s hard to pin down exactly why a certain boat behaves a certain way in a given set of conditions, but in the C34’s case, we can make some assumptions as to why it delivers a rather comfortable ride.

For one thing, its straight stem gives it a longer waterline length than those of similar boats possessing similar length overall (LOA), such as Meridian’s 341 Sedan ($545,201, with twin 320 hp MerCruisers), allowing it to bridge waves a bit better and reduce pitch. Though its 18,000-pound displacement is par for this class, the C34 is not as tall as comparable boats, yet it’s a bit wider. Both attributes contribute to stability. The aluminum trusses I saw installed during the plant tour portion of this test helped prevent the house from being wracked. Subjectively, the boat feels balanced, and it responds as expected to input at the helm.

On the flying bridge, snap-in woven carpet, a plush swiveling helm chair, an aluminum-frame venturi and two large Raymarine touch screens made this skipper feel comfortable. (However, the teeny compass needs to go; a boat like this demands a 5-inch, flat-card compass, in my opinion.) There’s a lounge that seats seven guests wrapping to port. Behind that is a thick sun pad ringed by a stainless-steel rail. A stowage locker beside the helm features a recessed tray top and a built-in stereo. A taut and rugged Bimini top covers all, and the steps to the cockpit feature grippy nonskid and the aforementioned raised-lip risers.

The cabin impressed me. The C34’s decor achieves luxury, while remaining bright, functional and easy to maintain, thanks to an artful mix of faux wood, taut fabric and just the right amount of glossy fiberglass. Moreover, the twin, sliding-glass entry doors hinge open as well, swinging wide to seamlessly connect salon and cockpit. This arrangement will be just as useful for a cruising couple as it will when entertaining a dozen guests. In effect, it provides an express boat’s egress and access to and from the water while retaining the maximized living quarters only a bridge boat can provide in any given length. Small details, such as the handy little retainers for the miniblinds, also impressed.

The salon features a six-person settee and table that converts to a double berth. Opposite, find the U-shaped galley, with its two-burner cooktop (for cruising, specify a model with potholders), microwave and a deep sink. The two-tiered forward section of counter is functional and is also where a second control station can be fitted (price on request), a desirable option for those seeking climate-controlled helm time.

Belowdecks, the C34 boasts a two-stateroom layout. The starboard-side guest stateroom features twin berths that convert to a double, and is privatized by a wood door.

Across the passageway is the head, with its fiberglass stall shower. I sat on the shower seat and believe cruisers will find it a welcome amenity, particularly since the shower head can be used as a hand-held wand. The vanity sports a vessel sink. There’s an exhaust fan, and the fiberglass sole makes it easy to keep things sanitary.

The master stateroom features a residential-height master berth. We appreciate such residential-height berths not only for their ease of entry but also for the extra headroom and sense of space they provide. (Intangibles and a space’s “feeling” are important, in our view.) The round portholes, as distinctive here as when seen from outside, open for ventilation, yet dog down tight for rough-weather motoring. In all, I felt that one could comfortably “escape” one’s crew for a few hours in this stateroom. That’s a tough feat to accomplish aboard a 34-foot boat.

Sea-trial Carver’s C34. You might find that it manages to pull off numerous feats that other boats fail to accomplish.

Comparable model: Meridian 341 Sedan

**

**

The post Carver C34 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The aft section of the 44 Sojourn’s bridge is a 5′ sunlounge with space for two to stretch out beneath the sun’s rays. There’s also a three-person bench and an entertainment console that can be outfitted with an optional icemaker and electric barbecue grill ($4,890).

Move forward beneath the hardtop and there are facing lounges in the aft section. Ahead to port is a convertible backrest that can be configured to accommodate one lounger or two sitters across the passageway from the helm seat. Forward is a glovebox with a fiddle rail and an MP3 dock.

To starboard, the helm has only a single bucket seat. But I prefer this setup because the skipper won’t get distracted while driving, even though it may be a bit lonely. A gray-paneled finish for the instrument panel prevents glare when the sun sneaks through. Twin Volvo Penta LCD screens keep you apprised of engine health. Accessory switches are on the port side of the wheel with analog fuel gauges to starboard. Gunwale trays on each side are perfect for stashing your car keys, wallet, or cell phone.

Just aft of the controls are half of the optional joystick controls ($11,500). The other half is directly across to port, but neither will help you see through the aft lounge when you’re docking. That’s the downside to the extra accommodations on the aft end of the bridge. They create a huge blind spot whether you’re docking or running through a crowded waterway. The solution is to place a second set of eyes aft. Another solution for easier docking might be to replace the joystick station on the portside with one in the cockpit.

Blind spots aside, the 44 Sojourn responded well to its joystick. In open water, it completed turns in tight circles and felt solid while I ran it back through its own wake. As is typical with most IPS boats, it didn’t achieve plane until 2400 to 2700 rpm, but the ride angle never exceeded a comfortable 5 degrees.

If you prefer a more traditional flying bridge layout, take a look at the Silverton 43 Sport Bridge ($640,740 with twin 370-bhp IPS 500s), which has conventional access to starboard and no hardtop, not even as an option. It does, however, have a flying bridge wetbar standard. New for 2009, Meridian is powering its 441 Sedan with MerCruiser Zeus pod drives ($653,000 with the 480-bhp system). It has starboard-side bridge stairs and comes with a standard Bimini top. The full hardtop costs another $10,000.

Access Granted

If you like the extra space of the extended flying bridge, you’ll love the 44 Sojourn’s engine compartment. Normally, I don’t gush about a hatch, but this one is more than 6′ across. It opens on a pair of gas struts that are installed with L-angles and backing plates that look strong enough to secure a six-cylinder engine to a runabout’s stringers. With the IPS units exiting straight through the bottom of the boat, it’s easy to move about the compartment. Getting to separators and strainers couldn’t be simpler. With the hatch closed the cockpit feels wide open, and I liked the two-person rumble seat that folds out of the transom. All utility connections are in lockers in the starboard passageway, which closes with a gate.

As if the extra-wide hatch in the cockpit didn’t provide enough access, the stairs in the salon raise to give you a look at the front of the engine compartment. However, they raise on snap springs, which are a little too snap happy for my taste. Folding kickstands work better. Need to access your batteries? Aboard the 44 Sojourn, it’s easy. Lift a removable hatch in the salon sole and there they are. Perfect. Another in-sole hatch pulls up to reveal large lockers that could be customized for outstanding capacity.

The salon itself looks comfortable with a dinette that includes a horseshoe-shaped lounge that converts to a double berth around a table aft to starboard. To port is an L-shaped lounge just aft of a wall unit with a flat-screen TV.

Forward to starboard, Carver got the galley countertop half right. The side that butts up against the upholstery for the aft lounge is fiddled, but the side that opens to the galley sole is not, so spills will wind up on the sole. There’s good space for food prep, plus the usual selection of appliances.

Opposites Attract

Belowdecks accommodations feature an aft cabin with twin longitudinal berths that have good overhead clearance, a hanging locker, and a Jensen flat-screen TV. Drawers in the base of the berth are a much easier way to access stowage than having to lift up mattresses. Forward, you enter the portside day head, which has a one-person shower. The closed-off locker under the sink looks good because you don’t see the plumbing, but the tradeoff is difficult access.

Rather than take the easy way out and put the master head on the same side of the boat (it would have facilitated rigging and plumbing), Carver positioned the master head to starboard. This permitted a two-person shower and facilities that resemble those you’d find on a 50′-plus boat.

In the master quarters is a queen island berth with stowage drawers in the base, plus two full-sized hanging lockers. That’s another unexpected surprise on a 44′ boat, kind of like an indoor-outdoor flying bridge.

MSRP: Standard power – $493,995 Test power – $607,770 ****

Contact: 920.822.1600 www.carveryachts.com

The post Carver 44 Sojourn appeared first on Boating Mag.

Carver 33 Super Sport

Carver 33 Super Sport

When you’re checking out 30′ to 35′ cruisers, there are many attributes to consider-performance, range, and comfort, among others-but for most families with a couple of kids, one requirement stands above all others: stowage capacity.

Do I sound crazy? Consider this. You’ve stowed everything you need for a weekend cruise, but there’s still a backpack full of Power Rangers action figures sitting on the dock. Know what I mean?

You won’t have that problem in Carver’s 33 Super Sport. This is a boat with strong performance, lots of features, and plenty of comfort, but its biggest strength is-without a doubt-stowage capacity. I’ve seen 50-footers that hold less.

Let’s start in the cockpit, where a hatch in the port decking unveils a 2′-by-1’6″-by-1′ removable bin. Nearby is a locker measuring 2’11”-by-1’7″-by-1’2″, and even in the port bridge stairs is a 2’4″-by-1’6″-by-1’2″ box. Up top, forward of the helm are two lockers that span 3′-by-1’3″-by-1’3″. These are wide open so you can customize them with plastic tubs or strapped-down toolboxes. Forward of the salon lounge is a 2′-by-10″-by-2′ locker with a hatch that needs to be supported by a gas strut or kickstand when raised. In the base of the dinette seating is a massive 2’8″-by-11″-by-12″ drawer. Finally, in the forward stateroom are two hanging lockers, plus fiddled shelves in the base of the berth.

Not only is there plenty of stowage in the 33SS, but this is also the first boat I’ve seen in the last year with fiddle rails on all the lockers. Plus, all routine maintenance items such as the shower sump and head plumbing are easily accessed.

GOING IN. In the engine compartment, convenience reigns. The engines are mounted on aluminum L-angles through-bolted to the molded fiberglass bearers. Inspection hatches provide access to the backing bolts. Strainers are forward, and battery switches are aft between the motors. Hoses are double-clamped per ABYC guidelines, but the wires and cables should have been better supported and more neatly loomed.

Abaft the engine compartment, the lazarette provides access to the genset, batteries in a plastic box, water tank, and steering system. Kudos to Carver for sealing the trim tab lines from the inboard side of the transom.

A single cockpit locker houses the shorepower cord and utilities connections-just reach in and grab what you need. To make your way forward, there are passageways with ½”-tall bulwarks and stainless-steel rails. I like that the lower stanchion is a steel rail, not a cable. The bow cushion fastens into position with beads and tracks, not snaps.

Like its bigger sibling, the 38SS, the 33SS’ bridge layout features lounge seating forward of the helm. It’s a convenient way for the skipper to keep an eye on his passengers and to stay involved in family conversations. Mom can sit alongside dad at the helm, while the kids hang out up front. I didn’t like the absence of a hatch to close off the bridge, which Carver said would be a special-request item. The instruments are in faux burled-wood panels that effectively reduce glare, and everything is in clear view.

On the water, the 33SS is a great boat for someone stepping up to his first twin-screw cruiser. It handles predictably at cruising speeds and admirably slices through wakes from larger yachts. When lining up to back into the slip, the 33SS responded well to frequent gear shifts without overreacting.

Looking at other 33′ to 35′ cruisers? Check out Silverton’s 330 Sport Bridge, which retails for $211,625 with twin 375-hp Crusaders. That sounds like a big savings until you realize that a generator, two-zone air conditioning, CD stereo with 10-disc changer, windlass, icemaker, and flat-screen TVs in the salon and stateroom are options. They’re all standard on the Carver. Meridian’s 341 ($258,300 with twin 320-hp MerCruiser MX 6.2 MPIs) comes with a generator, but you still have to pay extra for an icemaker on the bridge and a TV in the stateroom.

EAT AND SLEEP. New for 2006, Carver switched the oversize dinette in the salon for a second stateroom. The 33SS’ salon remains spacious with Ultraleather recliners to starboard when you first enter and the entertainment center with 20″ flat-screen TV to port. Forward to port, the galley covers the basics, and a highlight is the nearly full-size refrigerator.

The head is also to port with a standup shower, electric commode, and towel stowage. Don’t grab the towel rack in rough seas-it’s not strong enough to provide support. Usually I gripe about the lack of an air-conditioning vent in the head, but remember, this is a 38′ boat. Close the salon hatch, open the entry into the stateroom, and the cool air from the cabin will clear the head area quickly.

Because a queen-size berth limits room in the stateroom on a boat this size, Carver smartly used shelves in the base instead of drawers that need to be pulled out. The aforementioned twin hanging lockers are spacious, and there’s even a small lounge where you can sit down to get dressed. The 15″ TV is a welcome touch that lets mom and dad cozy up in the stateroom, have some privacy, and watch something other than Power Rangers.

EXTRA POINT: On a less-than-40′-long cruiser, space is at a premium, so Carver used a new Kenmore product called the Brew N Wave, a microwave oven with a built-in coffeemaker.

The post Carver 33 Super Sport appeared first on Boating Mag.

Carver 59

Carver 59

Carver 59

Carver 59

Carver 59

Carver 59

When I raised the Carver 59 Marquis’ engine hatch, I saw something that’s been missing on many imported yachts-convenience. The hatch pulled up easily on twin stainless-steel gas struts. Plus, the grabhandles on each side of the opening are something I rarely see. They’re exactly where you need them to be, and they keep you from reaching for the hatch-and thus pulling it closed on your head-to steady yourself when on the ladder.

At the base of the ladder is a panel with a backup set of ignition switches, breakers, and battery controls. That means no more running between the helm and the engine compartment when checking on the diesels.

Topsides, moving forward on side passageways protected by 3′-tall bulwarks with masterfully crafted stainless-steel rails on top is comfortable. Even cooler are the walking surfaces that are canted outboard to whisk away water. At the bow, the anchor locker has a dedicated chainbox, and if you need to pull in bow-first, there’s a cabinet with a freshwater washdown and TV and phone hookups. You could also have a second shorepower and raw-water system placed here for $2,885.

Belowdecks, a sliding pocket door closes off the aft master stateroom. A hinged door opening into the passageway or into the living quarters would be less convenient. Plus, the berth is a true king and has an innerspring mattress.

There’s room for another couple in the bow stateroom, which has a queen-size berth and a deck hatch that’s actually near your head, not your feet as on many boats. Kids can crash in a cabin with two single bunks just ahead of the owner’s quarters to starboard.

In the two onboard heads, the showers are big enough for you to turn around in without your elbows hitting the sides, and there are extraction fans in the overheads.

Tough Crowd. If you’re comparison-shopping the 59 Marquis, you’re likely to look at boats built overseas. Both the Ferretti 590 ($1,850,000 with 1,034-bhp MAN D 2840 LE 403s) and the Sunseeker Manhattan 56 ($1,392,000 with twin 800-bhp CAT 3406s) exhibit the strong performance that European boats are known for. The 59 Marquis is slower at wide open throttle than these competitors, hitting 32.3 mph. The Ferretti hits 39.1 with the bigger engines, and the Sunseeker peaks at 36.2 mph with less power. The Ferretti is longer (60’1″ LOA), wider (17’3″ beam), and heavier (71,663 pounds). The Sunseeker is also longer (61’2″ LOA) but much narrower (15’1″ beam) and lighter (58,200 pounds). Both use foam pads in their staterooms.

During maneuvers, the 59 Marquis holds its own against the Euro boats. Our test model made tight circles in each direction and rode through waves without that punchy feel some fast yachts have.

Because I tested the boat on a stormy day, I ran from the lower helm, and visibility aft was obstructed, especially when docking. Carver offers the boat with cameras mounted in the engine room and in the cockpit. The latter vastly improves your view when backing into a slip. This option is priced at $2,970, and Carver says that the first seven models it sold were all ordered with it. I say just include it as standard equipment and bump up the price by $3,000. Who’s gonna bitch about three grand more on a $1.3 million boat?

Open Wide. Convenience also translates into comfort on the 59 Marquis. You can close the salon entry with a stainless-steel framed glass door or a screened patio-style model. The Ferretti has a folding aft salon window, with the top half opening to let in air, but it doesn’t have a screen. The Sunseeker has only a framed glass door.

The 59 Marquis’ open salon can be attributed in part to the manufacturer’s use of an outer skeleton of aluminum I-beams in the boat’s construction. It eliminates the need for bulkheads that would otherwise support the pilothouse. A grid of tubular aluminum and 2″-thick balsa is encased in fiberglass and laminated to the hullsides around the perimeter-and it makes up the foredeck, sidedecks, and primary cabin sole. The pilothouse and flying bridge are supported by a trussed aluminum superstructure that through-bolts to the deck plate. The hull bottom is laid up with solid fiberglass, foam coring below the waterline in the hullsides, and balsa above.

In the salon, owners can pick recliners, a straight couch, or pullout sleeper to starboard. Forward to starboard, Carver uses a galley-up layout, whereas Ferretti and Sunseeker use a galley-down setup. Our test boat’s galley featured the usual appliances in a horseshoe arrangement that’s logically laid out and easy to work in.

At the lower helm, the seat adjusts to multiple positions. Accessory switches are overhead, which I like because it leaves a clean, uncluttered dash. But this station needs some improvements: The port windshield wiper should stop to the outboard side, not inboard; a matte finish ahead of the instrument panel would reduce glare; and a footrest would improve driver comfort.

Up on the 59 Marquis’ flying bridge, the helm seat is centrally located, and friends and family can sit to either side. Aft, a horseshoe-shaped lounge wraps around a removable table, and the lockers in the seat bases are compartmentalized. The wetbar comes with an icemaker, but you need to pay an extra $2,400 for the barbecue.

Have Carver put a hatch at the top of the flying bridge stairs so no one takes a dive-our test boat didn’t have one. The Sunseeker and Ferretti have them standard.

Room to Wrench. You expect a 59′ yacht to have 6’6″ of headroom in the cabin, but how about more than 6′ in the engine room? There, aluminum frames, not bulkheads, separate the area from the aft lazarette. The big MTUs are mounted on twin 7’3″-long metal bearers that run the length of the stringers. Gusseted L-brackets bolt down into the top of the structure, which has a tapped plate glassed into it, and bolt through the bearer down low with backing plates and lock nuts.

Although the competition uses them sparingly, the 59 Marquis’ wiring and hoses are supported by cushioned stainless-steel clamps. Limber holes are gel coated to prevent water intrusion and wire chafing, and lines that pass through the transom do so through watertight threaded fittings. Access to the seacocks and fuel/water separators is outstanding.

Anything less just wouldn’t be convenient.

The Highs: A boat with European looks and American practicality. Innerspring mattresses for all the berths. An engine room you could dance in. Two showers big enough for real adults. Tall bulwarks with canted walkways make bow access easy and safe.

The Lows: No hatch to close off flying bridge from the stairs. Cockpit camera is necessary when docking from lower helm, so why isn’t it standard? Port windshield wiper should stop to outboard side. A footrest would make lower helm more comfortable.

Extra Point: Call it a happy mistake, but after Carver designers realized the Cuisinart coffeemaker that they chose to put in a recess in the 59 Marquis galley is a top loader, they put it on an electronically powered slide-out tray to make access easier.

LOA………………….59’6″
Beam………………..16’6″
Draft…………………..4’7″
Displacement (lbs., approx.)………….62,860
Transom deadrise……………..14°
Bridge clearance…………22’11”
Minimum cockpit depth………………….2’8″
Max. cabin headroom……………6’6″
Fuel capacity (gal.)……..800
Water capacity (gal.)……..200
Price (w/standard power)………$1,295,000
Price (w/test power)………$1,385,375
Standard power: Twin 715-bhp Volvo Penta D-12 715 in-line-6 diesel inboards.
Optional power: Twin diesel inboards to 1,650 bhp total.
Test boat power: Twin 825-bhp MTU Series 60 in-line-6 diesel inboards with 855 cid, 5.24″ bore x 6.61″ stroke, swinging 32″ x 35.5″ four-bladed ZF Nibral props through 1.92:1 reductions.

Standard equipment (major items): Dripless shaft logs; freshwater engine cooling; hydraulic steering; sea strainers; bow and stern thrusters; ss hydraulic trim tabs; two battery chargers and AC/DC converters; a/c; dual Glendinning cablemasters; 15.5kW generators; inverter; 2 shorepower connectors; pressurized 12v freshwater systems; 20-gal. water heater; high-water bilge alarm; four 2,000-gph auto./manual bilge pumps; CO detectors; illuminated compass; fire-suppression systems; windlass w/60-lb. anchor and 200′ chain; wetbar w/refrigerator and sink; 12v adapter; boarding ladder in locker; hydraulic swim platform; 32″ color TV; AM/FM/CD stereo; 5-disc DVD changer; Cuisinart coffeemaker; Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer; microwave/convection oven; 2-burner Ceran stovetop; 2 ss sinks; 2 standup showers, exhaust fans, vacuum-flush commodes.

The post Carver 59: Fancy That appeared first on Boating Mag.