Carver 280 Mariner/Voyager - The Good, the Bad?

J

JoLin

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Hi, all-

My wife and I have fallen in love with the look of these boats, and I'm seriously considering one if and when we decide to upgrade. It just looks 'right' to us somehow. Clean, classy lines.

I know they were only made during the mid-late 80's, so I might never even find one, or one in good condition at a price I can afford, but I'd like to know what owners think anyway.

One thing I noted at the Carver website is that they don't have much deadrise. How does it handle rough (choppy) water? Is it a 'pounder'? Are they as well made as they look? Are there problem areas common to them?

Opinions, experiences and suggestions all gratefully received. Thanks!
 
They made the 2897/2827 Mariner/Voyager from 1983 thru 1990 so you have plenty of years to choose from. They also sold a great many of them. We sold 10 to 15 per year. The ride is admittedly "choppy" but takes the water well and is quite stable. As far as well made....yes! Although as with any boat you are looking to buy, have it surveyed before doing the deal.
 
How far are you willing to travel to buy one? What's you budget?
 
quote:
Originally posted by cwms

How far are you willing to travel to buy one? What's you budget?

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Questions of that type are WAY premature. Sorry.
 
Considered a couple of 88 and an 89 voyagers. Like the kitchen/bath at the rear of the cabin. Watch the stringers/engine mounts under the rear sliding door and under the head. Didn't buy either because of this issue.
 
I second the stringer issue.

I picked up an '86 (mariner) with VERY low hours, pristine (never used) cosmetic condition, and excellent mechanicals for $9500. I did some work/upgrades to it and sold it for a lot more. It had stringer issues and I knew that when I bought it and was very honest about that when I sold it. If I had loved the boat, I would have spent the cash to fix it, but that was a big project and I was not in love with the boat (I really liked it though). As a first boat, I can not complain at all.

Here's my review:
The Good:
*nice size, not too large, not too small
*decent engine access without a generator
*good layout
*phenomenal storage
*very well built
*very adaptable interior to various needs
*lots of glass = bright interior
*excellent sight lines from the bridge

The Bad:
*forward berth tight and has a narrow entrance with a step down
*very tender since it is a very small fly bridge and it relatively lightweight
*difficult to single hand the boat in much more than a light breeze
*handles OK, but does not like a following sea or much chop
*5.7l engines would have been nice
*common stringer issues, check below the slider and ALL of the weap holes
*LOTS of glass = lots of heat
*no stall shower, that was the reason to sell for me. I know it's odd, but I love having a stall shower now.

Overall, it is an excellent boat if the seas are calm. Planes quickly, decent economy, and good classic looks that are not dated easily. I would highly recommend if you are not in need of a large head.

All boats are a compromise so you may not be concerned with some of these issues. My current boat, a 3257 Montego was what I moved into and I love it aside for not having much refrigeration and no walk through transom.

Hope that helped!

Jim
 
quote:
Originally posted by JoLin

quote:
Originally posted by cwms

How far are you willing to travel to buy one? What's you budget?

Click to expand...


Questions of that type are WAY premature. Sorry.

Click to expand...


I'm not trying to sell one. In your first post, you said you didn't even know if you could find one or one you could afford.
I ask because someone here may know of one that you can afford and is close enough that you would take the time to go look.
We're trying to help and when you answer our questions, the easier it is to help.
 
cwms - no offense intended. I'm not in the market for a new boat yet. I guess I should have made that clear. I'm interested in the boats as a possible 'down the road' purchase and want to learn more about them.

ChefJunk - great insights. Thanks. The boat's handling characteristics is something I wondered about, for the very reasons you stated, along with the shallow deadrise of the hull. Good to know.
 
I have an 86 Mariner 32' and love it. Not sure what ChefJunk means by a step down in the front berth, no step for mine. Also not sure what you mean by stringer issues? My guess is how the previous owners took care of things... if you could elaborate I may need to go check mine. What should I be looking for?

It drives like a dream even in wind in my opinion though. With the keel on it it actually helps in wind situations, strong currents are another story. :) But with some practice and the Crusader engines, I don't seem to have an issue.

Interesting on people's opinions of choppy. Guess it really depends on the water conditions and how you drive it, but when I adjust to the conditions she rides quite well. Not knocking others opinions though.

I agree on the heat though. During the summer, when the sun makes it around to the back sliding door, the cabin heats up. Still trying ideas of putting the door canvas up during the hot day or strategic fan placement, but this is a work in progress.

Love the room inside and easy for entertaining others. I have 12 people on board out for cruise and she handles quite well. Different story for an overnight though, 6 people tops.
 
quote:
Originally posted by imspacemancraig

I have an 86 Mariner 32' and love it. Not sure what ChefJunk means by a step down in the front berth, no step for mine. Also not sure what you mean by stringer issues? My guess is how the previous owners took care of things... if you could elaborate I may need to go check mine. What should I be looking for?

It drives like a dream even in wind in my opinion though. With the keel on it it actually helps in wind situations, strong currents are another story. :) But with some practice and the Crusader engines, I don't seem to have an issue.

Interesting on people's opinions of choppy. Guess it really depends on the water conditions and how you drive it, but when I adjust to the conditions she rides quite well. Not knocking others opinions though.

I agree on the heat though. During the summer, when the sun makes it around to the back sliding door, the cabin heats up. Still trying ideas of putting the door canvas up during the hot day or strategic fan placement, but this is a work in progress.

Love the room inside and easy for entertaining others. I have 12 people on board out for cruise and she handles quite well. Different story for an overnight though, 6 people tops.

Click to expand...


You really can't compare the handling charateristics of a 28' with a 32'.. Big difference between the two.
On the 28, there is a step down into the forward cabin. I guess the 32' doesn't have that.
Stringer issues can happen with just about any boat, some more than others. It's something every surveyor should be looking for when someone is buying a boat. Bad stringers can be VERY expensive to repair.
 
quote:
Originally posted by imspacemancraig

I have an 86 Mariner 32' and love it. Not sure what ChefJunk means by a step down in the front berth, no step for mine. Also not sure what you mean by stringer issues? My guess is how the previous owners took care of things... if you could elaborate I may need to go check mine. What should I be looking for?

It drives like a dream even in wind in my opinion though. With the keel on it it actually helps in wind situations, strong currents are another story. :) But with some practice and the Crusader engines, I don't seem to have an issue.

Interesting on people's opinions of choppy. Guess it really depends on the water conditions and how you drive it, but when I adjust to the conditions she rides quite well. Not knocking others opinions though.

I agree on the heat though. During the summer, when the sun makes it around to the back sliding door, the cabin heats up. Still trying ideas of putting the door canvas up during the hot day or strategic fan placement, but this is a work in progress.

Love the room inside and easy for entertaining others. I have 12 people on board out for cruise and she handles quite well. Different story for an overnight though, 6 people tops.

Click to expand...


Carver did make more than one Mariner model. My comments were exclusive to the '28 (2897). You are referring to an entirely different boat, the '32 Mariner which I am familiar with (at least the hull, as it is the same, sans the keel, as my '32 Montego).

32' is the MINIMUM I would want in a bridge boat, more like a '35 with some weight to it IMHO.

Jim
 
I currently own a 1987 Carver Voyager 28 that I DEARLY love. I bought this boat when I retired as a downsize from my previous 36' boat and have absolutely no regrets in doing so.

Some of ChefJunk's points are right on IMHO but I have to disagree with some as well. So here are my obversations about my boat:

1. Interior space and storage is terrific. Good head room and I have no issue with the forward berth. Yes there is a step down but that accomodates more storage space under the bed and head room as well as a sink and small hanging cabinet.

2. Yes, It wallows a bit in a following sea but then again so did my 36. The 28 is no better but no worse.

3. I single hand this boat all the time. Yes, you have to be on your toes docking in a cross wind but if you pay attention and work the "sticks" you can put it wherever you want to.

4. I run mine in open water a lot, having two trips to the Bahamas this year and numerous off shore fishing trips. I have been in 5' seas and the boat handled it just fine. (my 64 year old body, not so much) Bow angle cuts the water very well. In a beam or quarter sea it does rock quite a bit. For its length the bridge and upper helm are pretty high off the water so the roll is quite noticable.

5. I agree with the lack of a stall shower being a negative. But, I manage with what I have very well. I personally like the Voyager over the Mariner because of the aft galley and head. If I'm out in the cockpit fishing and get grungy I can get to the head/shower without going all the way forward. Plus the aft galley had good ventilation.

6. I just repowered my boat from gas to diesel installing Yanmar turbo 4's. My engine room access is excellent and the economy is to die for! :)

7. I'm not sure what stringer issues they are talking about. Mine are solid as a rock and show absolutely no signs of deterioration. I'm going to research and read more though.

Overall, I live this little boat and intent to own it as long as I own a boat at all. I do most of my cruising alone and this boat serves me very well in comfort, economy and maneuverability. Someone above said they can sleep 6. Well, yeah I guess you can of 4 of them are small kids or midgets.

Personally I rate mine as an excellent boat for a couple or to single hand. I rate it a good for a couple with one or two younger children. More than that, I don't know but I think it would tend to get very crowded for anything longer than a week end.

Bob
 
One more thing,

I was responding to the post and was thinking 2897/2827 Mariner/Voyager (1983-1990).

Your post title states 280 Mariner/Voyager and I am assuming you mean the same thing.

However, there was a (smaller) 280 sedan produced from 1991-1998.

Additionally, the replacement to the 2897/2827 was the 28/300 Sedan produced from 1991-1993 and they offered some mariner/voyager layouts, especially early on. Those have similar dimensions and are very nice boats if you have to have a bridge boat below 35'. The hull was improved and it has a 16 degree deadrise. It still has a small cockpit, but such is the compromise in affordable boats!

Hope that helps!
 
It all helps. Thanks so much for the insights into the boats.

Yeah, I was basically referring to whatever Mariner/Voyager models there were, that were 28 feet long. :-)

rnbenton, I read some of your 'saga' regarding the Yanmar repower. Real interesting project, to say the least.
 
Sorry all, I missed the part about the 28 reviews... my fault. I would like to see what the inside it like on the 28 compared to the 32. Must be some major difference to the layout aside from space.
 
quote:
Originally posted by imspacemancraig

Sorry all, I missed the part about the 28 reviews... my fault. I would like to see what the inside it like on the 28 compared to the 32. Must be some major difference to the layout aside from space.

Click to expand...


If you go back to the top of the Carver page, you'll see a "Sticky" thread with useful Carver info. Open it up and you can pull up years of Carver brochures.
 
The model 28 command bridge is a much more stable boat than the voyager or mariner series......Model 28 has a 11 1/2 ft. beam, compared to a little over 10 ft for the older mariners / voyagers...Model 28 has a 15 degree dead rise also, which helps
 
The model 28 command bridge is a much more stable boat than the voyager or mariner series......Model 28 has a 11 1/2 ft. beam, compared to a little over 10 ft for the older mariners / voyagers...Model 28 has a 15 degree dead rise also, which helps
 
quote:
Originally posted by brngguy99

The model 28 command bridge is a much more stable boat than the voyager or mariner series......Model 28 has a 11 1/2 ft. beam, compared to a little over 10 ft for the older mariners / voyagers...Model 28 has a 15 degree dead rise also, which helps

Click to expand...


The 10' beam you are referring to are the 1982 and earlier models. The 1983-1990 mariner/voyager had an 11'1" beam. According to the carver website, the 28/280 command bridge had a 9'6" beam with an oal of 29'11".

Jim
 
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