Looking to purchase a Carver Mariner

[BenTen]

Hello. New member here, I joined to read all that I could on Carver boats as my wife and I have really fallen in love with the idea of a Carver 3697 Mariner. We think this boats layout will work very well for our family due to its combination of interior and exterior spaces and what we feel is a very versatile design.

Now for my big question. As I've been investigating the possibility of transporting a boat that I might buy I've received quotes as high as $7k to transport 800 miles with the reasoning being the excessive height of the Mariner design. Can anyone with experience shipping/transporting this model share any advice on the actual height when using a hydraulic trailer? We know that the radar arch will need to come off, but what about the windshield and possibly the rear seat?

Thanks in advance for any help, I have searched the forums and read every thread but I'm unable to get a clear answer. Would love to own one of these but I'm unable to find anything fairly local, at least not at the moment.

Ben in SC

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum....what year would that 3697 be ?

[RGrew176]

Welcome Aboard. Hope you work out the logistics to get your Carver to its new home.

[pepmyster]

Welcome! We had the same siyuation when we wanted to buy a flybridge. We were looing at a 2004 Mariner but it had to get to us by land and the problem was the arch. It would of had to be removed in order to go on the highway. Luckly we found another model not so far away and was able to do the trip by water. Good luck with everything you decide to do!!!!

[waybomb]

Our is a 1987.
I had to move when we boughty it.
Wife and removed the arch (the darn thing is heavy - get 4 people) and placed on the bow.
Climbed underneath and unscrewed all the window frame fasteners and then pulled them, set in the front cabin
The rear seat was removed. Set in the main cabin.
The helm seat was removed. Set in the main cabin
And I removed the steering wheel since it stuck up a bit.

Used a marina forklift and chain to hoist the arch back up. Did I say this thing is VERY heavy?

[BenTen]

@bud37 Its a 1984 model
@waybomb Do you remember what the overall height was with all of that removed? My proposed shipper is calculating 14'6" which seems high to me, and 15'5" loaded on his trailer, which will require a front and rear escort pole cars at $1700 each for an 800 mile trip.

Thanks for the welcomes from everyone, I'm determined to own a Carver Mariner, if this one doesn't work out I'll hold out for one that's closer.

On a side note- the boat didn't come with a generator when new (according to the seller). How hard will it be to add one? This alone may be reason to pass on this boat as a generator will be needed for how we want to use the boat!

[waybomb]

I just went and measured.
78" from deck to water.
27" from deck to highest part of bridge fiberglass.
So 105" plus what's below the water line.
It's not 36 inches but let's call it 36 inches
So 141 inches. Less than twelve feet.
Look for somebody with a lower trailer.

As.for the generator, you'll need a fuel tank on the other side to balance the boat.The cockpit floor comes out.
If you are handy, you can do it yourself with some help of a forklift.

[BenTen]

Fred, if you're online can you tell me if you had to remove your whole windshield to remove the arch?

My shipper is with the boat and having trouble with the windshield (rusty hardware) and has already snapped one off. Hoping I wont have to rebuilt the whole windshield to put things back together as it looks like rivets will have to be drilled to replace the through bolts... Ugh!

Ben

[waybomb]

Radar arch is separate, but you'll have to be extra careful. You could easily destroy the window adjacent to the arch when removing the arch it is heavy and awkward..
Worry about fixing the broken fasteners later. You can always have new studs welded on.

[BenTen]

He said the arch has to lift straight up and that the rear of the windshield is interfering so it has to come off. Just wanted to check with you as my resident expert! Thanks!

She should be on the way in a few hours.