[bamyachtforum]

Rookie - Looking for Carver 530, 1998-2000 any reviews? It's ride in different seas compared to other yachts? Advise, buy from FL/ TX/ Other - ship to Calif.? How to find honest local brokers, surveyors, mechanics? Pilothouse pros/ cons vs. CMY, etc.?

[Gringo]

I am very well versed in that particular boat, have sold and found many good deals on them for my clients in the past. If you are ok with a 16-18 knot cruise then either the Cummins 450’s or the Volvo 480 powered 53’s would be alright, but you will need to make sure that you buy it right. The Larger 675hp’s will be worth a substantial amount more money than the others; it was a 80K upgrade back then.

This boat is a very economical boat, and will handle costal cruising very well. Remember though that a economical hull will have a smaller degree of dead rise than a deep V fishing hull, so it will pound a little in certain conditions.

[yachtbrokerguy]

There are two organizations of Marine Surveyors, NAMS and SAMS, and they both have websites. Boat US also has a list of surveyors accessed through their website. I suggest talking to a few surveyors and asking them the types of vessels they survey, how long they have been doing surveys, if they are an associate surveyor or acreddited, how much they charge, how soon will they have a written report for you. Ask the surveyor to send to you a survey that he or she has done on a similar boat so that you can see what the report will look like.
Tucker Fallon

[bamyachtforum]

Thanks for the input

[bamyachtforum]

Thanks for the reply. What do you hink the 1998's w/ 450 Cummings should go for? I keep getting negative reviews on the 610 HP Volvo engines additional speed v. fuel consumption & I hear the demand/ resale is minimal. Might even look at a 57' Voyager but lots more money & cost to run?

[yachtbrokerguy]

1998 boats are now ten years old and there are three important factors in the value of the boat, condition, condition and condition. Some of these yachts were purchased by buyers who just did not know how to maintain the yacht, others are pristine. The age of the isinglass and bimini, the dinghy or lack thereof, number of engine hours, rugs replaced, electonics updated, condition of gel coat all contribute to the value.
The bigger engines are a personal preference, the actual cost of increased fuel consumption, compared with your overall expenditures for the year is really a small percentage.
The 57' Carvers are a lot more money than the 53' Carvers, and the 53 still has a lot of room. If there is a marina near where you live, visit on a weekend and hope an owner of one of these boats is onboard. Knock on the door, say Hello, ask them about their boat. Many boat owners love to talk about their boats!