WHAT happens to a boat sitting in water for TWO years?

A shudder just went down my spine,, Oil change hose?

Some owner/sellers may not be lying, just don't know any better.
Some owner/sellers are.
Then there is the boat broker. To many are ex used car sale folk that couldn't make it.
When your past picking up a used Hula-Hoop,, Buyer CYA well.

Let us know when you need a real yacht broker, A few are rite here on YF.

I and others do not want to say Carver is a bad boat. Lets say, IMO; cost-reduced.
There are a lot of them out there. Many (many, many) different styles. Most owners are (were) happy.
Like the pioneer is mass produced boats, Pantyliner (Bayliner) offered a lot of boat for the money. So did Carver.

Sounds like now you're on a better path. You absolutely also want a diesel engine survey by a qualified Cummins guy, so one for the boat and one for the engines & generator, and remember, there's no guaranty they will find it all. My last purchase after nearly 2 years shopping, was 6 months back. Both surveyor's and their reports appeared very thorough and in most cases correct however not 100% and some of the items found were also a surprise to the seller who when all was said & done agreed to reduce the contract by over 30% from original asking price.

So you had a survey done already, did you have both a Hull survey AND an engine survey by TWO separate surveyors?

if not, and if you really like the boat, I would ask The seller to get the engines running properly and hire a Cummins specialist to do the proper engine survey.

Carvers are average in quality but when dealing with an older boat, previous maintenance is almost as important as original build quality.

unfortunately, there are no miracle and when you need to cram two diesels, a generator and plenty of cabin space, accessibility is going to suffer. That said some boats are better than others.

that Racor fuel filter is a perfect example. Servicing the bottom half would take 30 minutes with good access but will likely take 3 hours in this case. That’s $50 labor vs $300 … and the list goes on.

a side effect of this is that maintenance and repairs gets deferred and eventually fall in the laps of the next owner

fuel tanks… did the surveyor mention anything? Replacing fuel tanks is a major expense as often the engine have to come out. Again, not a carver specific issue but one to be avoided.

I had to repeat Pascals last line.

Carvers are notorious for leaking tanks. Usually the outside bottom seam. Yes, where the wet trash collects on the inside and outside.
Ask Huckins. Every year some model is in there getting one or both tanks replaced.
They about have a routine going.

I've no first hand knowledge of this photo but the story with it was she had not moved in many years and than one morning found on the bottom; refloated and towed to a yard. Have you looked into insurance yet ? I found nearly all of the underwriters wanted a survey by a surveyor who's a member of their listed survey entity.

OP with what little I know about you I would skip this boat. If it hasn’t been used odds are it has been neglected. I don’t care who surveys it they won’t catch everything. My concern for you is that this boat will frustrate the hell out of you and may ruin your boating experience. There is another boat out there for you and I could be wrong but I believe boat prices will be lower tomorrow than today. In the meantime keep searching and educating yourself.

I've been trying to tip-toe thru this but Quoting Pascoe helps.
If you can shop a taller price, the payback may be lots more rewarding.

I was making calls and planning of dragging that Bertram up to Jax.
Till my wife shut down the project. Kicking my butt were some of her words during her discussions with (at) me.
I'm glad she did talk me out of it (I wont tell her that), but I had some fun & wild ideas for a while.

Neighbors buddy across that canal told him he had not seen anyone on her in years. From what I've been told by those that took the leap, major projects such as that one would have been, from the financial point don't make sense, but then again when it comes to boats most times it's best for ones health to not look at the dollars. I just tall myself next lifetime I will instead take up hitting little white balls across fancy grass.

No, there is no financial sense into any boat much less one that sunk.
I just know that old Bertram hull is worthy for old pharts that seek out these ole pigs.
For me, I was going to cut the top/superstructure off and make an express.

I'm trying to find some OPM now to start on another old Bert 25.

I'm always motivated by how it feels when the calendar is cleared & all the BS is left behind as we're running Eastward and with each look back there's less and less of the over built shoreline.

I fear there is to much poetry involved in your comment.
I am at near, at a loss for sure with with your wisdom.
I think I understand and on the same page, but can you type slower or in red-neck lingo that all could understand??