2000 41' Carver 356

rsssummerstar — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 22:13:31 GMT

Cockpit: Aft deck has great view and entertainment area. Easy access to cabin and galley. Access to swim platform and deck box is easy and safe. The bride is just 3 steps up for great visibility and command of the ship. Instrumentation is fine, but need some shims to place radar/gps at good visible angle to the skipper. Bridge seating is good for 5-6 but a bit tight.
Cabin: Great for us. Weekends, short hops and longer cruises. Plenty of variety in seating, lounging, entertainment, eating and sleeping. Plenty of room to spead out the charts. Cabinets are plentiful for the size and forward cabin layout offers some additional storage. Aft cabin is great. Actually both the forward and aft cabins are quite ample for the size of the boat complete with 2 heads, showers and the like.
Construction: Construction seems very good. Solid feel and workmanship appears very good. Nothing less than substantial by way of materials. Engine room has good access except for having to move sofa to access full top of port engine.
Handling: Excellent dock handling. Under power a solid 18-20 kts with Volvo 7.4s. Could use a little more power and 8.1 would be better. Takes 3-4s well, but is absolutely great in everything below 3s. Can get a little wet with beam sea. She is definitely a great coastal cruiser.
Engine Room: Volvo 7.4s. Probably would be more efficient with the new 8.1s although at 3400 and 18 kts., it burns about 25 gph.
General Comments: We do like the boat. Quality, quantity and price have a good relationship. Great lakes cruising seems to be great. I would believe inland river systems of the Mississippi, Ohio and Tenn would be great venues too.

2001 41' Carver 356

guitarslinger — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 22:09:05 GMT

Cockpit: Quiet comforable place to be when cruising or dockside. Good instrumentation, but the aux. instrument area (nav station) is a bit too far from the captains seat for me.
Cabin: Very roomy and well layed out. The wormanship is an A- due to the finish of the cherry wood ( many small runs), but the rest of the interrior is well made and beautiful. You get quite a bit of high quality boat for the money.
Construction: I have (not by choice) been out in 8-10s on Lake Michigan, and found her to be quite stable with no fear. The bridge is very stable even in rougher seas, and the overall construction is very solid. (no rattling or creaking). In my first season the bilge stayed totally dry.
Handling: One of the best handling boats I have had the pleasure to own. She has a real 22 knot cruise (GPS) in 2-4s. Docking this one is a pleasure.
Engine Room: She has Merc 454s (330 HP) and this is a very good match. I didn't feel deisels were necessary and still feel that way after 120+ hours of cruising. She comes up on plane very quickly and is very stable with little tab interaction.
General Comments: I love this boat and would only sell her for big sister. We cruise the great lakes out of Grand Haven Mi. and do a lot of port hopping all summer long. We spend a lot of time on her and never feel any cabin fever. Carver says this boat feels bigger than it is and I agree. This is a great boat to just hang out on dockside with a few friends. Plenty of different areas for privacy and nice size salon and aft deck/bridge for groups

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2000 41' Carver 356

2001 41' Carver 356