Hello,

I'm looking real hard at purchasing a 2003 Carver 444 ES layout with twin Volvo TAMD63Ps (500 hrs). New to boating other than 3 years with a 20 foot pontoon. I know, a real newbie!! It will be docked a lot or anchored close to shore. I will primarily be boating on Lake Michigan (Grand Haven) with occasional trips of maybe 50-200 miles. I've been reading the heck out of every forum and website I can. I've also downloaded and read the manuals for the Carver and the Volvo TAMD63Ps. I know you can only read so much and some of it you have to take with a grain of salt. I've also reviewed the maintenance records for the past few years.

For this particular boat, I read that there was some sort of recall on the exhaust system but couldn't find anything on the USCG website to verify it. I sent an email to Carver this evening with the HIN to get a response from them. Are there any other issues I should be aware of with this particular boat? I will of course be doing a marine survey, engine survey and sea trial. Is there anything i should be looking for or telling the surveyor to be on the lookout for? I will be hiring a qualified sea captain for a day to help me get up to speed on the basics.

Thanks in advance for any advice you might be willing to share!!