2001 Carver 406 Aft Cabin

M

mainiac

Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
RO Number
12338
Messages
33
I would appreciate any comments about this boat, good or bad. We really like the layout and room this boat offers. She is in great condition, 250 hours on the Merc 8.1 Horizions. My biggest concern is whether this boat is too big for gas engines.
Regards,
 
The boat is definately borderline diesel. We've sold only one gas powered one, but it had 7.4s rb2@gr5t310hp. The 8.1L's would perform better, but not up to diesel power. Other than the power, the boat is fantastic. Huge cabin, deep vee hull, and very little problems that I can remember (it's been while since we've sold one).
 
A gas boat that size will be a problem at resale time but if you dont plan to go fast or far and will keep it forever then gas is ok IF you get it really cheap. IMO you will always be wishing it was diesel.
At 6 years it is overdue for risers and probably manifolds too.
 
Agree with Brude that risers probably need to be replaced, but if the engines are full FWC, manifolds should last as long or almost as long as the engines.
 
The risers only if it's a salt boat....we have very little problems with risers in the great lakes
 
Why do I hear about so many gas powered boats in the 40 foot range? Didn't that used to be taboo???

I assume its strictly a way to make more sales based on price, but is there another reason? Is availability of diesel still an issue in some areas...
 
There are a lot of people who use boats more as a floating condo than as a long distance cruiser.
Lots of variables involved when deciding gas vs diesel and even in larger boats (around 40') diesel doesn't always win out.
 
Thanks for the replies. Our crusing habits include many 2-3 day trips of 100-150nm in length and a 2 week cruise each summer covering 300-400nm. Despite the short boating season in Maine, we put an average of 75 hours on our present boat/year. We are definately not interested in a "dock queen". The Carver has a 342 gal gas tank that should give a reasonable cruising range but I have no idea about the fuel consumption with the 8.1 mercs. I really hate spending time at the fuel dock!
 
Thanks for the replies. Our crusing habits include many 2-3 day trips of 100-150nm in length and a 2 week cruise each summer covering 300-400nm. Despite the short boating season in Maine, we put an average of 75 hours on our present boat/year. We are definately not interested in a "dock queen". The Carver has a 342 gal gas tank that should give a reasonable cruising range but I have no idea about the fuel consumption with the 8.1 mercs. I really hate spending time at the fuel dock!
 
I'm going through the same decision with similar Carvers (3807s & 4207s). I have several friends who make arrangements for lakeside diesel delivery and it would save a hefty chunk of change--nevermind all the other benefits.

BUT- with the thousands I can save on gassers, and being on a smaller inland lake, I think I could easily get by with gassers and might actually have an easier time with resale since diesel isn't pumped at most marinas on the lake. We can also get by on non-planing speeds which will really help on our consumption too.

FWIW-- I would love to have the added power of the 8.1s, but I think if I were doing longer cruises as you do, and were on the larger body of water (don't know which one), it would be enough to easily tip me in favor of diesels.

Paul
 
Paul: your lake location is vastly different from the coastal Maine experience. Today IMO diesels would be unexpected in Maine but on a smallish lake who cares? Just buy and be prepared to sell right. For me a houseboat would be my design of choice for a lake as there is no need for all the design considerations and living space utility compromises that go into a boat intended for coastal use.
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Paul: your lake location is vastly different from the coastal Maine experience. Today IMO diesels would be unexpected in Maine but on a smallish lake who cares? Just buy and be prepared to sell right. For me a houseboat would be my design of choice for a lake as there is no need for all the design considerations and living space utility compromises that go into a boat intended for coastal use.

Click to expand...
Thanks Bruce good points indeed. In our case, we have deicded against the liveaboard experience I was considering last week. I agree, for that, I would opt for a houseboat. Take away the liveaboard aspect, and there's no way you could get me into houseboat. One of the things I really like about these Carver ACs is the nautical look and feel. In fact, that's one of the reasons I am not looking at the more than plentiful supply of express cruiers around here.

I just dread the $10-12k I foresee in getting one of those beasts down here to the lake. I am hoping that at some point for resale, the limited supply of larger boats here will work in my favor--even though I'm taking the shipping/boatyard fees hit up front.

Yes, the gassers are the right solution for our intended use.

Thanks for your input!

Paul
 
quote:
Originally posted by mainiac

Thanks for the replies. Our crusing habits include many 2-3 day trips of 100-150nm in length and a 2 week cruise each summer covering 300-400nm. Despite the short boating season in Maine, we put an average of 75 hours on our present boat/year. We are definately not interested in a "dock queen". The Carver has a 342 gal gas tank that should give a reasonable cruising range but I have no idea about the fuel consumption with the 8.1 mercs. I really hate spending time at the fuel dock!

Click to expand...


Run that boat at hull speed, around 8 knots, and you will more than double your cruising distance. Get up on plane and listen to the sucking sound of gas. I know, I have a Carver 3807. We only run at hull speed, usually around 1800 RPM's
 
The Carver 406 is an updated lengthened version of my boat. I have 454 Crusaders and never felt a need to have diesels once, my boat gets relatively good fuel mileage and I cruise at 23/24 mph all day long at 3200/3300 RPM. I barely ever run the boat off plane and my boat will top out at an easy 32-34 mph. THe 406 is a little heavier but I couldnt see how there would be much difference, they actually sold WAY more 405/406s that were gas than diesel and they can't keep the boats in inventory around here.
 
I recently sold a 1996 S-ton 402; similiar boat. It had Crusader 502's We ran it about 60 hrs/yr It ran a bit slower than its diesel counter parts. A typical day crossing Lake Michigan was about 4 to 4 and 1/2 hours. My diesel friends beat us every time. It was so nice to have them there to catch our lines. It ultimately cost way less than its diesel counterparts and sold very quickly. If I had approached 100 hrs a year it might have worked out differently. My neighbors with CAT 3116s and 3126s went through hell. My friend with a Trojan powered with 8/71s had $31,000 in repairs to his bullitt proof engines (turbos). A complete rebuild of a 502 would have cost me about $7,500. We all want the biggest badest power, but when you take all of the hyperbole and emotion out you'll agree, I'm sure, that there is a place for gas or diesel power. It just all depends-----------.
 
I imagine that unless you pound the hell out of a boat or do a ton of long distance cruising, the cost differential is not worth the extra outlay for diesels. At least that's what I seem to be hearing from this thread...
 
My dock neighbors on each side of me have 01 406 MY's, the one my port is gas and the starboard is diesel. I have been on the gas and also watched is go, when the throttle goes the gas boat litteraly launches out of the water onto plane, the diesel does the same but not as quickley as the turbos need to engage. Both boats are beautifull. The 01 diesel was just purchased with only 40 hours, been in storage for 5 yrs at our marina, aprroximatley $240,000.
 
One more thing I might add, the Carver 36/370/405/406 are one of the best riding boats I have ever been on in rough water thanks to the Deep V and the rather large bow flare and forefoot she has. I do think the boat would be a tank with diesels but gas is more than sufficient!
 
I have a 1999 406 with twin 7.4's. I've never felt that the boat was underpowered. If you have any specific questions let me know and I'd bee glad to help.

PS I love the boat!!!
 
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