Carver Owners Forum

Hello Captains,
It's been a few months, 7 to be exact, and we finally have the keys to our first Carver... a 2004 356 with 8.1L Gi Pentas. We looked at several brands (non-Carvers) and models over those months but narrowed it down to a 355 or 356 once we realized this was what we wanted. We made an offer on a 1998 355 and a 2003 356 but couldn't come to an agreement with those owners. And finally, in our own back yard (our boating lake), we found the dream we were looking for all those months. Patience paid off big time for us. We couldn't be happier. We have spent one weekend on her so far and I've been all over her like a cheap $5, ah, car wash.
We all know a boat is a trade off of something and mine was a tight engine room. Or in this case let's just call it a space. Wholly crap, seriously, if I gain a pound I'll never get down in the engine space again. But... otherwise the Admiral and I can't smile enough
So before I sign off on my first post as a new owner I'll leave one question for you all... WHAT is with the battery set up on this boat? The manual shows a battery switch with on/off/1/2 but that's not we have. We have what seems to be the diesel set up, i.e. on/off under the step and then 3 other on/off (one for each engine and genny). I'd show you my pics but can't figure that out for now. Anyway, anyone one to comments on that specific set up please do. And finally, for more interesting facts, it comes with 4 (yes, four) deep cycle batteries. And that's listed in the original paperwork sa well.
I look forward to all our upcoming conversations.
All the best Captains,
Poppy Tortuga

Congrats finally, and welcome aboard.

Your battery switch setup is becoming more and more popular with manufacturers and is the preferable design IMO. I'm not a fan of the multi-source selection switch setup, it's often the source of premature battery failure and trouble on the water.

Welcome

There's a lot of us 355/356 owners here, so you should be able to get some pretty decent advice.
My 356 has the standard 1-2-Both-Off switch underneath the step and one On-Off switch for the genset battery. I'm guessing your boat came that way from the factory and a previous owner made the changes.
My question...where in the world do you have space for the 4th battery? My 3 are between the stringers between the genset and aft bulkhead. No room there for 4.

I also have 8.1's but they are Crusaders. With a clean bottom, I can hit 35 mph.

Welcome Aboard!!

Welcome abord.

As Viper mentioned the newer way for battery setup is simply on off switches, way too many problems with selectors being in the wrong position with the older 1/2/both\off switch. My boat is a 2006 and from the factory it has 4 on/off switches only, no other option. They are either on or off period. Charge distribution while under way is handled by factory installed combiners.

buster53 wrote:Source of the post .....where in the world do you have space for the 4th battery?.....

To make room for another battery, I've seen many cases where the genny battery has been moved under the genny. That makes it a total PITA to service that battery. You have to remove the battery behind it so you can get the genny battery out just to check fluid levels.

Viper wrote:Source of the post

buster53 wrote:Source of the post .....where in the world do you have space for the 4th battery?.....

To make room for another battery, I've seen many cases where the genny battery has been moved under the genny. That makes it a total PITA to service that battery. You have to remove the battery behind it so you can get the genny battery out just to check fluid levels.

I'm really surprised that many still use full-size batteries (29's or 31's) for the generator. That's actually probably a great place to use a Li-Ion battery, as you could use a VERY small one that should have plenty of capacity to start gensets, which are some pretty small motors. You could also use a pretty small SLA battery and mount it on a shelf.

buster 53...
Regarding battery locations, I had to look at my pics and I actually have 3 batteries between the stringers... AND a 4th battery on a home made shelf above the 3rd most aft battery. And a correction from my original post: I have a starter for the genset and 3 deep cell Trojan 30 XHS for starting the Pentas and house batteries (I guess). This is what I'm trying to determine. The mechanic at my marina said the 3 deep cell act as house and starter for the Pentas. Considering what other answers I received so far I guess that's the "new" thing.

buster 53:
During our sea trial we hit 31 mph @ 4200 RPM. I think we could have got more out of her as the sea state was lots of chop with 2 ft + waves and 20-25 mph winds and 80 degress. Bottom will need new paint. Lots of the "original" bottom paint worn off. PO said he NEVER had the bottom painted. He is original owner and just had it pressure washed when put up for winter storage. Other wise the boat is super clean. I can't wait for a calm flat water to see what she does. Hopefully this weekend