This is for all of you Carver owners...but based on most of the photos of the larger Carvers....they look at tall as they are long...how do you dock these things??? I would guess that in a decent cross wind....these boats would act as a huge sail...and you'd get blown around the Marina...let alone being able to back into a slip! I didn't realize how much volume was above the waterline on these boats. Please understand, I'm not bashing these boats...I just am curious as to how you get into a slip. Do you get lined up 4 slips upwind, then when you get in front of your slip, give a full blast of reverse, and hope your fenders do the rest?
It's not too bad. I back mine in to my slip and some days it's more trying than others but good throttle control with lots of alternating shifting back and forth will get her moving in the correct direction.
The marina I am in, is an old rock quarry. We are protected from the wind on all four sides by high bluffs. "Slow and easy" is the key. I back my 3607 in using the shifter knobs like a skid steer loader operates. Occasionally, I'll have to juice it with a little more gas, but that is a momentary thing. Granted, I am a greenhorn at this, but I can thread a needle with this boat. The biggest problem I have encountered is passengers aboard wanting to "help" by grabbing the uprights at the dock. That will screw me up every time. Now, I always tell everybody when coming into port, "Unless I ask you to, please keep your hands inside the boat."
hope to fix up our 1977 carver santa cruz for me and my wife to cruz America's water way's when th kids are older...might need work but I love my carver...will get her ship shap again
On a 53 voyager, backing into a slip requires someone calling distances unless there is absolutely no wind or current and you can actually walk to the back of the flybridge to check. If you are coming in port or starboard to, I little extra throttle goes a long way if you are coming into the wind. It can still be dicey with a full flybridge enclosure up. For the most part with most of the larger models having bow and stern thrusters it is cake in any situation. Just make sure that you practice without them every once in a while for that time that they decide not to work.
Weekend Love at Lake Texoma, Highport Marina, Pottsboro,TX What is a good source for new/used Carver parts?
i have never had any issues docking or backing into my slip.. very stable boat... and handles well with the two engines.. i dont think it is my skill.. have had other twins that werent so easy... and ive done it in heavy winds and currents..