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Looking at 2003 Carver 444 Motoryacht

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by Sparkey, Dec 15, 2016.

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  1. Sparkey, Dec 15, 2016
    #1
    Sparkey

    Sparkey New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2016
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    Location:
    Brick, NJ USA
    Hi everyone, Merry Xmas.
    Wife and I are looking at some 2003 Carver 444 Motoryacht to purchase. Any Pro's or Con's?
  2. Good Spirit, Dec 15, 2016
    #2
    Good Spirit

    Good Spirit Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
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    Location:
    Northern harbour lake of the woods Ontario Canada
    As many will respond, what are you going to use the boat for and where will you be boating. We boat on Lake of the Woods Ont. our Carver is perfect for the boating we do. Great live a board room easy maintenance. If your looking to use it on bigger waters I would probably look at a different boat. Carvers don't do rough water well.
  3. Sparkey, Dec 16, 2016
    #3
    Sparkey

    Sparkey New Member

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    Location:
    Brick, NJ USA
    Thanks, appreciate the tip. Most of our travels will be inland rivers,bays, some ocean travel.
  4. ksbguy, Dec 20, 2016
    #4
    ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2012
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    Location:
    Water
    Hi,

    I have an 04. We love the boat. Sure it's not designed with deep draft and big motors like a viking for example but I've been in five footers and it was no problem. You'll go slower than the big boys but when you arrive you will be a lot more comfortable. You need to get into a much larger sportfish to have the room we have in this boat.

    I have the volvo pentas and motors have been solid for five years...

    Ask if you have any questions, I know the boat well.

    Merry Christmas
  5. Sparkey, Dec 20, 2016
    #5
    Sparkey

    Sparkey New Member

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    Location:
    Brick, NJ USA
    Hi there,
    I appreciate the reply. Its good to know 5 ft weren't problem. Don't plan on much offshore ocean travel, but occasional is always possible. We are still in the market for one. Couple that we looked at were too high priced for financing company to think a good investment. So we are still in the hunt. We love the interior room for sure. I am happy to have small cockpit for some fishing or crabbing.
    Hopefully we can close a deal within a month. New Jersey here plan on splitting time on boat between here and Florida. Again thanks for reply, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
  6. bliss, Dec 20, 2016
    #6
    bliss

    bliss Senior Member

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    Location:
    Racine
    I love aft cabin boats BUT off shore (more than whatever weather surprises can occur within a 5 hour window) "off shore ocean travel --- is always possible", forget it. The boat in most situations can take more than you can. However. with a 464 Carver there's not much difference between the two.
  7. motoryachtlover, Dec 20, 2016
    #7
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Location:
    smithfield, VA
    Bliss did you mean to correlate aft cabin boats as poor off shore boats. I have a 54 Viking sport yacht with an aft cabin, that runs offshore regularly and have ended up in fairly rough conditions crossing the Gulf Stream with an east wind at 20 and find the boat does well. I would not have done the crossing with a north wind at 20. Not at all offended but would be interested if there as a school of thought that did correlate aft cabins as not so good sea boats.
  8. bliss, Dec 20, 2016
    #8
    bliss

    bliss Senior Member

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    Location:
    Racine
    NO! Although there are those that are great in near coastal waters and not so much offshore. Among them, boats that are quit a lot litter built than your Viking. Also "Ved" differently. I would add among aft cabins your boat is the first one to come to mind when thinking offshore.
  9. Sparkey, Dec 21, 2016
    #9
    Sparkey

    Sparkey New Member

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    Location:
    Brick, NJ USA
    Thanks everyone, appreciate the comments and views. I currently run a 105 ft tug boat, and have also ran 30 ft Blackwatch to Hudson Canyon 90 miles from port during the late 80's. It is all about stability and common sense. I can put this steel hull tug boat broadside to the wind and current and have to keep my fingers crossed that when she rolls she will come back. I do understand that more can happen in the ocean then the bays and rivers, but as long as I am hearing that the Carver can handle that roll I am ok with that. Thanks again for the comments. Everyone have a Merry X mas.
  10. ksbguy, Dec 23, 2016
    #10
    ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

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    I try to pick my days and go when it's nice. The viking will be a very different ride but it's a different boat with a different intention. I'm in NJ as well...
  11. Sparkey, Dec 23, 2016
    #11
    Sparkey

    Sparkey New Member

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    Where about in NJ. In Brick NJ here.
  12. ksbguy, Dec 23, 2016
    #12
    ksbguy

    ksbguy Member

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    Location:
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    Small world, I take it you boat in Barnegat Bay? Lacey, we go to Tices a lot...
  13. cdwenrick, Jan 11, 2017
    #13
    cdwenrick

    cdwenrick New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2013
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    Location:
    Cape May
    I have a 2000 Carver 396 (444 without the cockpit) at Baybridge Marina (BBM) in Stevensville, MD. They have, a 2001 444, with a bow thruster and a new dingy with motor, that was still for sale in November at a pretty good price, I thought. It was drydocked at the time. I am not sure who the broker is but if you look up BBM's information I imagine they can tell you who that is since it is in their yard. I also am from NJ (Mullica Hill in South Jersey) and had my last boat at Cape May before it got Sandized from Hurricane Sandy as I call it.

    We really like the 396 but it is neither fast (on gas engines) nor a blue water boat, but it is very comfortable and a sharp looking aft cabin boat to boot, which is not true of most aft cabin boats, including other Carvers.