Hi all - new to this forum and we're currently looking at 3 Carvers (after having deals fall through on a Navigator and a Sea Ray). 1. A 2003 46' Voyager with twin 480 Volvo TAMD75-PA's 700 engine hours 2. A 2000 53' Voyager with twin Volvo TAMPD74-DC (waiting on engine hours info) 3. A 1998 53' Voyager with twin 450 Cummins 6CTA83-M 825 engine hours Price difference is the 2000 53' is $40,000 more (still within our budget but the higher end). The other two are comparable pricewise. All have thrusters and davits or hydraulic swim platform. The 53' has a full walk around master, larger fuel & water tanks. Ironically the bridge clearance on the 46' is 19'11" while on the 53' it's 19'. The 2000 53' comes with a Seadoo which we'd sell and buy a RIB. Our plan is to boat around the Great Lakes for a few years. Eventually we'd like to do the Great Loop. We're leaning toward the 53' for overall livability and comfort. It's just my husband and I and our big dog. Adult kids will come visit now and then so we need the 3 staterooms. Any insights into either boat? Many thanks! PS: We live on a small late in N. Michigan and have the ability to be on the water daily in the summer in our Chapperal bow rider. We're looking at a big boat for weekend getaways and week long trips.
I ran a 2000 53 with the cummins for 6 years on lake Ontario. If you have any specific questions send me a message and I would be happy to help out. One thing to be aware of is the third bedroom is really not a bedroom. It really is bunk beds and not enough room to stand in, let alone change or do anything other than sleep. It is also significantly shorter than any standard bed.
I'm not sure what "air draft" is - can you explain? Perlmudder - thank you for the offer! As we get closer, I may have questions. Right now we're gathering info on each of the boats. While we can get into the 46' at a good price, I'm concerned that down the road we'll wish we had the 53' with the bigger master cabin. We're also not familiar with these big diesel engines. We've had two 20-24' bow riders with Volvo gas engines and have been happy with those.
Aha! Yes, bridge clearance on the 46' states it's 19'11"; the 53' states 19'. Although I'm not trusting of the yachtworld listing to believe either of those so I'm gathering more info on both.
You also need to know what the highest part is. If the 19'11" is the top of a windshield or a hardtop, then you need to reject that one. If it's the top of an electronics mast then you can get the mast hinged so it can clear. Also, as you look at clearance you need to look at all electronics.
As far as I know, Carver did not offer a hardtop on pre 2000 models. The highest point with the radar arch is the mast light, and a few inches under that is radar/sat domes. A folding arch could be done, but it would be a pretty big pain depending on the canvas set up on the fly bridge. I have also not done the loop so I do not know how many times you would have to lower the arch to clear the bridges. If it was only once in a while it would not be bad.
At normal water levels if you take the Erie-Oswego route you have 21' clearance but if water levels are high it can drop to 20'. So, it varies how often if any you would need to lower the arch there. Otherwise your only challenge is the Calumet Sag Channel out of Chicago with it's 19'1". A lot of people just lower it for the canal portion, raise it back and then lower it leaving Chicago and raise it back.
Carver's published bridge clearance is measured to the top of the anchor lights, both models of carvers you are looking at will and have cleared the bridge while on the loop with other great loopers. I have passed under that bridge while on the great loop with a carver 396 that has similar clearance and on a later trip with a carver 506 that has a higher bridge clearance 20 foot 10 inches. If the boats have not had any non-standard additions, the worse you will have to do is lower any antennas. Their radar arches are well below 19 feet and will NOT need any alteration for the great loop. On the 506, I did have to temporarily remove the anchor light, 4 screws, It cleared with 4 inches, did not even have to remove the open array radar off the arch.
Thanks again for the input. I think we've "cleared" the bridge clearance question. Now, we just need to find a 53' Carver in our price range. Have an offer in now - fingers are crossed!
Maybe they gave up on it. because of the air draft problem and bought a cottage...........heh, heh, heh
We are new here too and looking at a Carver 506 hardtop but are also concerned about clearance. Any insights?
We bought a 1990 530 Voyager Pilothouse. Totally in love with the boat - just finished our third summer on her.
chesapeke, are you sure it's a 1990 ? for what i know, carver didn't built such voyager pilothouse in 1990. is'n it a 1999 instead ?