405 Carver

I have a 1994 370, the older slightly smaller 405/406. Very much the same boat in many respects!

1997 405 Carver

I just purchased a 405 and honestly looking for an owners manual. The previous owner had a 400 manual and i have found several differences, any help?

My wife and I purchased a 2000 Carver 404 CMY in January. We are still learning this boat, but, wow, what a boat. Carver has to be one of the best motor yachts, period.

Agreed we love it, i am a hands on person i don't trust anyone working on my stuff, it seems like every time i give them a try i find something they left off or whatever so i just do it my self. However i do like having the factory manuals and i don't mind asking for help.

Best of luck
Joe

ther is not much of a manual, I will be glad to copy and send you a copy, respond to thread...don't expect much. I do 99% of work myself and had to figure out much of it myself....manual was little help, if any.

I have done the loop and many cruises to the islands, it is a good boat for the money.....no complaints

1997, 405

I finally got my hands on the proper owners manual for my boat. I emailed Carver and they had the local dealer send it.

Thanks for the emails

Well, when it comes to working on my boat, I generally don't. Oh, I'll clean and wash, do simple and quick repairs, but, when it comes to mechanical work that can be dirty and take awhile, I let the local marina do it. Why, you may ask? Simple. My wife and I work all week, and the boat is at Lake Cumberland, three hours away. There are only a limited number of weekends that we can use the boat, when you subtract winter and other things that come up, so when we do get to the boat on a given weekend, we don't want to spend it working on the boat. From my perspective, my time is too valuable for that. When I calculate what each weekend is actually costing me, by figuring in the cost of the boat, moorage fees, fuel and electricity, travel costs back and forth, the boarding of two german shepherds, food and much more, I just cannot justify spending half a day or more during the weekend working on the boat.

Most of my dockmates, who have boats 32' to 45', feel pretty much the same way. Many of them live in Indiana and drive five hours or so to spend a day and a half on their boat, so they really feel the time crunch. There are others, though, who are close enough that it isn't too much of an issue. As a matter of fact, one of our neighbors, who have a SeaRay 260, recently bought a cottage on shore, so time is pretty much a non-issue with them. But, for the rest of us, we'd rather party.

But I will concede one very important point. I noticed that one or more of you were talking about doing the "loop", which I understand is quite a long boat trip of several thousand miles. My hats off to you. I totally agree that if one were to undertake such a journey, he better know how to work on a boat!! And, I will be the first to admit that I do not consider myself a competant enough mechanic to attempt such a feat. The only way I would do it is if I had a mechanic aboard. Furthermore, if I were that good at boat repair, perhaps I would do more, but, at 62, I don't feel the urge to go there. I'm happy to just park, walk to the boat, let the dog in (we have three dogs--Lucy, our smallest, is our boating dog), open a beer, and kick back. Maybe we untie and cruise; maybe I fire up the grill. What matters to us is that we are enjoying the time off. I will admit, though--each weekend I try to wash and wax a portion of the boat. I guess by the end of the season, it'll be looking great, just in time to be winterized again .

Anyway, if any of you manage to get to Lake Cumberland, look us up. We are the Cooks, and our Carver 404, is on the AA dock. Just look for the "Memory Maker". We always love to meet fellow boaters. Have a great boating season!

Most people today don't do much, if any, work on their boats. For one thing they're as likely as not to cause more expense by doing things wrong as they are to save any money. Boat systems,and especially the newer motor are fairly complicated affairs. Then there is the point that you so aptly put. The time off is too precious to spend covered in oil and bloody knuckles.

As for doing the Great Loop, you don't need a mechanic with you. Repair facilities are abundent all along the way, and I've always found very helpful people wherever I've had a problem. I've mentioned an idea to a few clients and friends that could make sense to some here. Instead of waiting for when you have the time (like most of us will ever have 3 to 6 months that we can just disappear for), why not just keep your boat in motion. Instead of taking a seasonal slip, why not cruise for a few days and leave the boat when your available time is up. Transient rates are good these days, and you can get a further discount if you rent a slip for a month or so. When you get a few more days, cruise a little further. Follow the seasons on your vacations and long weekends. About a year from now you'll be back in your home port, with money in your pocket (because you'll cruise your vacations instead of going elsewhere), and have a great adventure in your memory locker.