Carver Mariner

B

brett bowyer

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2013
RO Number
33159
Messages
2
We're looking at purchasing a 1998, 35 foot Caver Mariner. Looks to be in good shape. We like the space and access but would also like to be be stable in the Ocean and mechanically reliable. We plan on mostly being in the harbor (80%) with some runs out to Catalina for the weekend (20%. Any thoughts?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Get one with diesel engines.
Bill

Click to expand...


I don't disagree however there weren't many of them made...
 
Below is something I posted on another site when asked the same question a year or 2 ago. If there's any questions I can answer I'll do my best to help.

We had a 2000 350 Mariner (7.4L mercury gas engines) on Lake MI for the past 2 seasons and sold her in September.

This was our first "big" boat that we have owned. I am probably the only Mariner owner that was not under the illusion that it was a good looking vessel going into it however it was the only boat we that came across in that price range that met all of our needs. The things I liked most about it were nice head with massive shower, the upright refrigerator and the layout's ability to entertain both topside as well as in the cabin. We started out looking at smaller express boats however they just seemed too small down below and we couldn't consider a smaller sport fish or other bridge boat due to our golden retriever not being able to climb a ladder (the molded steps on the Mariner were perfect for him). This pretty much left us with the Mariner or a similar Silverton. We went with the Mariner because there was one available nearby that offered great value.

The reason that we sold her is we would like a newer boat that will meet our evolving needs. The Mariner with its semi displacement hull was fine in a 3-4' head sea due to its aggressive entry, however in a following or quarter sea of the same size I would get worked. There aft section of the hull is near flat (I think they claim 5deg deadrise at the transom but its a stretch). This along with its gas engines relatively light weight (19k lbs) can make it a bit exciting when operating in close quarters with any kind of wind. There just isn't enough weight or hull in the water to get the boat to stay where you put it. I won't go as far as to call the boat underpowered with the 454 cu engines, however in order to get the boat to move how I wanted, I had to work the throttles a lot more on it than on other boats that I've run. The boat cruised at approximately 18kts getting around .6 nmpg which made it a little difficult to cruise with some of our friends in their diesel express boats that cruise at 29kt and have a lot farther range.

To be fair the Mariner did really adequately meet our needs at the time and was a ton of fun. We took many trips across and up and down the Lake MI shorelines (keeping an eye on the weather) and spent over 100 nights on board in the 2 years that we had it. It was the perfect starter boat for us both from a learning to operate perspective as well as to help us realize that we are "boaters" (I hear this condition is terminal). It helped us to define our boating needs/wants moving forward all at a very reasonable price. Moving forward we are looking at the Tiara 3900 Sovran which will allow us to go out in conditions we wouldn't leave the dock in with the Carver and will give us the speed and range to get to places we couldn't with the Carver. However like anything else there are trade offs. We will be giving up small things like the upright refrigerator / added cabin space due to the bridge and the new boat will likely cost us 4-5x what we had into the Carver, but that is where our "needs" have evolved to.

Overall if you feel that the boat meets your needs I'd look seriously at it. My only advice would be to steer clear if it has the smaller (I think 5.7L) engines as it will be very underpowered.

Hope this helps.
 
Has a v drive with engines under cockpit. Not sure this model can have diesels. Would love it if it did.
 
We have a 99 Mariner 350 that we love. We have the 5.7 MAG MPIs and it runs fine for us. Comes on plane nicely with several folks aboard. We really enjoy having 8-10 folks on the fly bridge for a late night cruise. While our top end is 28 knots we usually run at hull speed and just enjoy the ride and friends, along with great fuel mileage at hull speed (around 8 knots, 1500-1800 RPMs). Love the layout and interior space. Great boat for our needs.

Bob
 
I am not by any means bashing the Mariner, but offering a suggestion. I went to a local boat show in the fall to look at an '03 Mariner. I had at the time, an 88 Montego and an 86 28' mariner before that. The Montego shares some bones with the newer mariners as it is an adaptation on that hull, although vastly improved. Long story short, there was an '01 Regal 3780 next to it. I compared both side to side and absolutely fell in love with the regal. Carvers are great boats, but the regal was so exceptionally well laid out I could not have even considered the Mariner. The quality is better than that of a Carver, the handling is great, and aside from the improved functionality, the best part is the vastly improved aesthetics. I HIGHLY suggest you seek out a Regal 3780 (2001) or 3880/4080 (2002-10) to compare. There are plenty of these around and they are an exceptionally well laid out boat that I am, obviously, quite in love with!

Looking at them side by side, they had VERY similar footprints, powerplants, and prices, just 2 years apart.

Jim

I will definitely consider carver again down the road, again, not bashing my roots! The new Carver 34 fly looks great IMHO.
 
I had a customer with a 2007 35 Carver. It had the 310 hp Volvo diesels. Nice boat to live on but the worst handling boat I have ever been on. They also put a wimpy Volvo bow thruster on it and it broke constantly.
 
Kenny can chime in, but I am pretty sure that hull was derrived from the 80's Montego/Mariner that was a mold that was bought second hand from a defunct builder from the 70's. I think they improved it, but not much. My Montego was one rough riding boat. Poor bell almost wore out on the delivery trip from upstate NY to OH.

Jim
 
The mariner and montegos were a rough rider but what do you expect from a whale.

I'd be looking at other models but if you like the layout and aren't going to be blasting through 3-5' close chop waves it's the best bang for the buck. However I agree with a lot of what was written above, I do not feel Regal has a leg above build quality on Carvers. I've owned one for 19 years and sell a lot of these brands. I do agree the Regal 3780/3880 is a much better layout though than the 350 Mariner.
 
I would never purchase any larger boat without diesel engines (above 31 feet). The 35 Mariner does have a diesel option and like many used boats it is rare in the US not so in Europe or Canada.
There is a great Carver 44 ACMY (47 LOA) in the classified section of this board. Perhaps the 44 is too much boat for your needs? At 130k it is priced right.
Bill
 
No matter which year the Mariner is one gawd ugly boat. On the positive side foot for foot there is nothing on a traditional hull with as much human space as a Mariner. To equal it one would have to get a houseboat.
 
Veebyes -
lol I can't help but have to agree.. but I do think she looks OK on plane..
We were looking at one a few years back and I managed to convince myself that it is somewhat of a geometrically cool/ergonomic style type boat - if ya look at her closely.. ;)

**Especially IF you're looking for a dog friendly boat... as even our clumbsy Old English Sheepdog could find her way up top w/o the use of a sky hook!!

ChefJunk - where are you in Sandusky?? As maybe we're dock neighbors?? (& Yes, we know Kenny)

I agree w/you regarding the 3880 Regal - we ended up staying w/an Express.. but if we were back in the market for a MY, the 3880 would be at the top of our list. (my wife LOVES the large sunpad up top) I do think the newer Mariners are much more refined than the early ones.. as (personally) I like the newer updated layout better than the earlier models..
 
quote:
Originally posted by ChefJunk

Kenny can chime in, but I am pretty sure that hull was derrived from the 80's Montego/Mariner that was a mold that was bought second hand from a defunct builder from the 70's. I think they improved it, but not much. My Montego was one rough riding boat. Poor bell almost wore out on the delivery trip from upstate NY to OH.

Jim

Click to expand...
Hey Jim, I guess I figured out you were at Cedar Point on pier 13 last summer.. but we never met you... (yet) We used to be on pier 14 and dock neighbors w/Kenny.. Guess he will have to to introduce us sometime.. lol
 
Jim,

I'd bet Dave (AKA CurrentSea) would agree w/your thoughts above on the 3880/4080
(since he's awaiting shipment of his new one post Sandy) :)
Was just an observation since your new to the Regal family is all.. ;)

btw, I think my wife and I sat on the top of your boat at the show on Saturday.. an awesome view from up top!!
Are you staying at Cedar Point?? What pier?
 
DogDaze,

Yes, that is I! I was on Pier 12 with the Montego. It's the one Kenny was looking at. When I traded her in on the Regal, I moved to Pier 11 with a little persuasion for the remainder of the season. I am not 100% sure yet if I am going back. I liked the express side but will have to move over to the big boy side now. There are some things up in the air at work and I may be better off back in Marblehead, not 100% certain yet. If I do go back to CP, I'll probably go on Pier 7 or pier 5 depending on availability.

You were definitely on my boat then, and before me! I stopped at the show on Sunday right before it ended and was swept off my feet by the regal. I don't expect a carver sales person (370 above or even Kenny) to agree that the quality of the regal is above that of the mariner, but I saw them side by side and know quality when I see it. The mariner was good, but the regal was clearly superior. I simply cant tell you how happy I am with the boat. I am really excited to get in the water this year and am starting to buff her on the weekends! I am still attempting to come up with a name however. I'm ditching the gold latches and lights inside and regal has been incredibly helpful with my questions regarding my to-do list.

You mentioned dog friendly, since buying the regal, I have not had to lift my dogs once! They can go anywhere they desire. They are rescue mutts with knee and hip issues and the first time they got on the boat, they went from the dock to the helm chair before I got past the transom gate. It's great not having to lift them into bed also.

Hope to meet you this summer! Nice to meet you!

Jim

quote:
Originally posted by DogDaze

Jim,

I'd bet Dave (AKA CurrentSea) would agree w/your thoughts above on the 3880/4080
(since he's awaiting shipment of his new one post Sandy) :)
Was just an observation since your new to the Regal family is all.. ;)

btw, I think my wife and I sat on the top of your boat at the show on Saturday.. an awesome view from up top!!
Are you staying at Cedar Point?? What pier?

Click to expand...
 
Hi Jim,

Thank you for your note and the introduction... (since Kenny still hasn't visited this post yet) HAHA..

As for the Regal, we had one for nearly 10 years prior to our Cruisers Yacht and we DID love the boat.. It was good to us and served us well. The Regal community is fantastic.. (as are Carver and CY's & the rest) Be sure to check out the ROF too as I have many good friends over there still... be sure to touch base w/Warner (nawtical1), Greg (Canada) and Gary (kellyg - also kellyg her on BE) to name a few.. Gary has the same boat as you.. Rommer also had the same boat.. as well as CurrentSea (here on BE and ROF)

btw, Sheryl & I did have the opportunity to tour the Regal facility in Orlando.. and it was/IS an awesome facility.

We had DDII on Pier 11 for the 2010 Season.. Like you, didn't want to leave the Express Dock side.. We loved the open space & wide/stable docks on that side. The problem we had was - since they didn't sell all the docks on the 40' side.. they started putting transient in on our side too... was OK & met a LOT of nice folks.. (specifically, a LOT of MI folks) but was odd having a different boat beside us any given weekend.. sometimes as many as 3 different boats. (didn't know we bought a transient slip?) The other problem, was the lack of a pole/post.. I had to come around the dock to bow in Starbord side.. & a little difficult for the 2 of us.. w/o a little help. We felt OK there as we had a permanent dock neighbor (sail) but he left a dock line on and put his danforth thru the side just as we were about to start our vacation.. (sigh)

So, when we had the opportunity to move to pier 1.. we took it. & glad we did after they made 11 all transient last summer.. we would have had to move anyway..

Pros/Cons I like the docking arrangement better there.. in that I pull into the dock. (as opposed to going around) & have the pole in the middle.. which makes it a LOT easier for the 2 of us to dock on our own when needed. The cons are the fingers are closer together.. (and wobble) so, I can't get the dinghy between the boat and the pole.. (or the Jet Ski for that matter) I did hear the finger beside us may be available.. (since they sold the Carver MY that was there) Maybe we'll get our view back IF an express shows up in that spot!! Tho a Regal beside us would be OK too.. (since we're used to 'NO' view anyway) :) Hope that you opt to keep it at CP, but if not.. we'll be sure to look for you at the Islands.. :) btw, glad to hear your dogs can navigate the Regal.. as I know for certain they could have on the Mariner as well.. It's certainly nice when you don't have to lift them up/down and on/off all the time.

I didn't mean to hi-jack the Mariner post.. (as it seems to have turned a bit Regal-ish) but we do still like the Mariner offerings.. We have at least 2 Regal friends who now own Mariners!! (& are VERY Happy w/them!!!) I do however, agree w/you Jim regarding the aesthetics on the early Mariners.. I specifically, like the newer ones better.. as it seems as if they finally improved the aesthetics as you note.

Not having owned a Mariner, I do agree w/Maxwell's notes above & feel that he offers a fair & nice review of the Mariner.
 
I'm not a Carver dealer by the way. I have just owned one for 19 years. I am however a broker and encounter a lot of used boats in my time and consequently have been aboard well over 100 surveys.
 
Brett We own a 2002 350 Mariner and can honestly say that we have enjoyed this boat more than the 12 previous boats we have owned . We took delivery the summer of 2011 and have had over 100 visitors ( we keep a log book ) and 99 % were impressed with the comfort and layout. 10 people on the bridge with no problem.The front rumble seat is a favorite.
We were really concerned about perfomance with the 5.7 twins however because of the weight distribution I rarely use the trim tabs. I know hard to believe! But true.
We are now casual boaters on Lake Erie and really do not leave the dock if waves exceed 2-3 feet . It is a great boat for entertaining at the dock. Might mention that my sea trial was in 5-6 waves and performed great .
 
Brett I would like to recommend that you consider calling Ryan Evans, Mentor Ohio . He has sold and delivered a fair number of 350 Mariners and would be glad to share his knowledge regarding how this boat would handle in your application.
I talked to him today and he gave me his toll free number 1-866-355-1609.
He actually delivered mine from Mentor Ohio to Buffalo New York as an example understanding that Lake Erie and the Pacific Ocean are totally different.
Just a suggestion.
 
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