I reached out to Carver (and searched threads here) to see if the 406 had an optional hard top offered for the bridge. Carver having said "no", i'm interested in your opinions (success/failures) in having an aftermarket custom hard top made for my 2000 406ACMY. Are there things to consider (other than cost)? Must have's in the design & construction elements? I'm not considering anything super fancy, just the top, a few puck lights, and possibly two small speakers. thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Carver did not offer one, however I have seen a few that have been added. I think the boat doesn't look proportionate at all after the hardtop is added. I would consider re working your canvas before having a hardtop made.
The hardtop will also add a lot of weight to the top of the boat and would make a very noticable negative impact on how the vessel handles in a sea.
FYI a quality fiberglass & stainless steel custom hardtop w/strataglass enclosure for your Carver 406 is probably going to run in the + $25K neighborhood. More than once I've seen where an owner has decided he's going to beat the system and have one of the local marina handyman types build it - and ends up with something that looks not unlike a recycled garage door - only to be removed soon after completion and replaced by a new Bimini top. Be careful.
Thank you all for your responses. Certainly, things to consider. To be honest I hadn't given any consideration to the "weight" and overall performance alteration that could result. If I were to move forward, I would certainly do it "right", but the tune of $25K seems a bit outrageous. I appreciate everyone's comments.
Hi Everyone, My husband and I are considering buying a Carver 406 (1997), and are fairly certain we're going to live aboard. We are selling our home and have considered living aboard for quite some time. The one we've found is in great condition, and we're so impressed with the layout and the living space! Any of you liveaboards or just weekenders? Any advice, thoughts, etc. It does have gas not diesel, but we're thinking this is ok. We live in San Diego and don't plan on going very far - just out in the bay and possibly up the coast but not far. We are well aware of the fuel costs. Thanks - glad I found this site! jdegan
Weekender here in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic. We haven't owned our 406 very long, but are completely satisfied with every aspect of the boat. Best of luck to you. You may not get many responses if you post in anothers thread, b/c the subject matter doesn't represent your question. You may want to consider reposting your question in it's own thread with a topic name that may draw those with the proper background to respond.
Hardtop would look great on your boat. I got an estimate for my 48 foot Californian and they quoted me 10k, plus around a grand for shipping to FL. Install would be about 1200 for me. That is on the list for next year. Considering the size of the hardtop that is a great price. Why continue buying canvas when the top will last forever. the company's name is Atlantic towers and they are near you. My father had one made for his 37 Silverton Convertable and it is awesome they built it drove down to Goose Harbor (right across the bay from you) and installed it.. They do everything and takes about a day. They weight diffrence is really no matter.
Go to there website and you can see a multitude of different boats that they have installed them on. I was suprised that they had done a 48 Californian like mine, it's sharp and like I said on the short list for next year. The canvas on my brige likes to leak a little so I just waterproof it for now until I get the top.
My 466 has a hardtop and I must say that it really is nice instead of canvas. No leaks at all and better insulation for heat and AC. The lights mounted in the ceiling do make the bridge more useable at night. On my last boat I had them install what they called a Florida top. It was a fixed aluminum and stainless structure that had Stamoid stretched across it. It was totally flat. It was lighter than an actual hardtop but because of the rigid structure, it never leaked. It was cheaper, but you would need to replace canvas.
Any updates to this thread? Did anyone go through with the project and install some type of hard top over the bridge/helm area?