1982 Carver 30' Aft Cabin

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vanwke1

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
RO Number
25151
Messages
6
My question is, how hard is it to get replacement parts for the 302 crusader engines?

Any input on this particular year and model boat?
We live in Seattle.
 
302 Crusader???

Can you elaborate? "302" usually denotes a Ford model 5.0L engine, such as was made by MerCruiser in the '70s and Waukesha/Pleasurecraft/PCM right through the 1980s. I don't think Crusader ever used that block, being the strictly GM marinizer. So could you give more details so we can advise???
 
I'm guessing they are Crusader 5.0's which would be a decent fit for that boat. My brother used to have a 32' Carver aft with 5.7's and it moved along nicely.

For what it's worth, you can't go wrong with Crusaders
 
You wouldnt believe how easy it is to get parts for those motors, even at your local autoparts store.
 
My 1982 Carver 30 3007 Aft Cabin has twin 302 Ford blocks and I think the heads are 352 Windsor,,I read that on one of the head rework orders. I am the fourth owner and have owned her only six months and based on the log, the engines have been rebuilt a couple of times and the heads reworked more. So far I have had no problem obtaining the usual maintenance parts.The blocks are fresh water/coolent cooled and exhaust manifolds seawater cooled.While replacing exhaust manifolds only had two bolts break-off and with the Sears version of the EZ out removed them with minimal problems.We had a 30ft Catalina Sailboat before this and my wife really loves this boat.
 
You probably have the Pleasurecraft model 302-4s in your boat. Same as mine. They are great motors, even though they're only rated at 220HP out of the factory. My boat flies with them...

The biggest thing I dislike about the PCM motors though, is (1) terrible corrosion control - plan on doing a lot of sanding and repainting if the engines are located under the cockpit (outside) and (2) screwy electrical panel/ballast resistance setup. Although to be fair its the same setup GM uses in a lot of ways. I was partial to my old MerCruiser 225s which were also Ford engines, back in the '70s. They even had nice flat exhaust manifolds which were great to step on as you went in and out of the bilge!!!
 
FWIW, when we bought our boat and were asking about Crusaders, the dealer told me that compared to either MerCruiser or Volvo that use the same 5.7 GM block, that Crusader tends to retain/user more GM parts than the other brands. Sounds like the experience here bears that out.
 
I could buy that argument. That sounds true. And Crusader has the cleanest, neatest setup of all the manufacturers. Just look at them, they look so much better organized than MerCruiser, for instance...

There's a reason why they win those JD Power awards...
 
My wife and I want to thank you all for your great input.
We are just about ready to put an offer in for this boat.
I guess we will have a compression test done for the hell of it.
Who knows, it sounds great and starts well but that may not mean much.
Here is the listing: 1982 30' Carver Aft Cabin in excellent condition. Twin gass 220 HP crusaders with 1180 hrs. Spacious totally redon salon, brand new galley, Sleeps 6, Large queen v-berth and twin and full rear berths, full head/shower, frig/freezer, 3 burner stove, invertor, color TV, CD player, inflatable w 2 HP, and many extras. This boat is turn key and NOT A DISSAPPOINTMENT! Brand new complete bridge enclosure, Under covered moorage that is transferable. More pics available. This boat was surveyed 2 years ago and this price is well under the appraisal. Asking $34,900.00
 
Are these Crusaders Fresh water cooled (closed cooling) or raw water cooled. If they are raw water cooled, when is the last time manifolds and elbows etc were changed? With over 1100 hrs, you may be looking at a re-power in the near future.
Greg
 
quote:
Originally posted by vanwke1

My wife and I want to thank you all for your great input.
We are just about ready to put an offer in for this boat.
I guess we will have a compression test done for the hell of it.
Who knows, it sounds great and starts well but that may not mean much.
Here is the listing: 1982 30' Carver Aft Cabin in excellent condition. Twin gass 220 HP crusaders with 1180 hrs. Spacious totally redon salon, brand new galley, Sleeps 6, Large queen v-berth and twin and full rear berths, full head/shower, frig/freezer, 3 burner stove, invertor, color TV, CD player, inflatable w 2 HP, and many extras. This boat is turn key and NOT A DISSAPPOINTMENT! Brand new complete bridge enclosure, Under covered moorage that is transferable. More pics available. This boat was surveyed 2 years ago and this price is well under the appraisal. Asking $34,900.00

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Is this the Carver in La Conner? Don't worry....I'm way behind you in considering this boat. I've been focused on this size in Bayliner, only 10 years newer.
 
What is that??? Is it like Merc's Corrosion Guard? If so, of course that needs to be put on after you get the engine cleaned up. Mine were already rusty when I bought them...
 
Assuming a successful survey, I will be the new owner of this '82 Carver Aft Cabin with Crusaders. Link below leads to a gallery of pictures.

http://tinyurl.com/34lgk8

I'm certain that I'll be flooding you fellas with some questions, since I'm new to Carver and this type of boat. My other boats have been 25' Express Cruisers, including a Regal 2465 that we still own. Learning twins on a flybridge is going to be a new experience.

I'll warm you fellas up with this question. My wife and I prefer to sleep together, which leaves out the Aft Cabin. We've never used a V-berth. What is the best way to buy, arrange bedding. We're hoping a memory foam pad, queen size, will fit in there. I'm 6 foot.
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Beautiful boat. I see many updates I need to do to mine. Can't help with the V berth question, wife and I have been married over 40 years so the aft cabin is our spot. The best ride is on the bridge, and twin engine steering is the only way to go. We owned a Catalina 30 for 15 years and I struggled with prop walk in and out of a slip. With the twins and a little practice people think I actually know what I am doing backing into the slip. One of the guys on this forum stated when steering with the throttles and gear shift at slow speeds, think about closed parenthesis with arrows on each end and you can't go wrong ( ). With a little practice you will know when to add rudder and etc.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Carver 3007

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Beautiful boat. I see many updates I need to do to mine. Can't help with the V berth question, wife and I have been married over 40 years so the aft cabin is our spot. The best ride is on the bridge, and twin engine steering is the only way to go. We owned a Catalina 30 for 15 years and I struggled with prop walk in and out of a slip. With the twins and a little practice people think I actually know what I am doing backing into the slip. One of the guys on this forum stated when steering with the throttles and gear shift at slow speeds, think about closed parenthesis with arrows on each end and you can't go wrong ( ). With a little practice you will know when to add rudder and etc.

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My new best friend! My e-mail is dene at ipns dot com. Would you mind sending me an e-mail so that I can address specific questions to you and not bore others.

We may end up in the aft cabin too. Will make that decision when we see the boat. The owner did a remarkable job restoring this wessel. I love the cherry flooring on the salon steps and kitchen floor. My wife will love the galley, especially since it has propane.

Do you have Crusaders in yours? If so, what is your performance in terms of mpg/gph, etc.

Thanks!
 
Greg, I was unable to access the URL for your boat. Did you purchase a model 3007 (30' Aft Cabin)??? If so, look at the port berth in the aft cabin. The 1982 brochure says that this somehow extends into a full double berth, so that you and your honey can enjoy the nice big stateroom back there...

If you have other questions and comments don't be afraid to share them here - trust me you won't bore us :)!!!
 
No Pete it is an anti corrosion spray. Amazing stuff. Seems to last a long time, maybe forever, as opposed to WD40 type stuff that vanishes quickly.
 
I'll have to give that a try, Bruce. Thanks for the tip. But I have to clean up the engines first!!!
 
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