Carver506 Powered SunRoof

[flyingfish]

Good Morning all:
I have a new to me 2001 506. The previous owner has had problems with the electric motor for the powered sunroof. Seems to be a problem with heavy load verses small motor. Anyone have any idea's.

[Lyndon670]

No problem - remove and rebuild.

I had some concerns with mine so I took a picture of the motor before I bought the boat "just in case". I stopped by my local electric motor rebuilder and showed him the picture. He advised me no problem to rewind the motor.

Mine is faster opening than it is closing, but still works well.

Just make sure you take a coat hangar and clean out the drains on the port and starboard corners of the sunroof or you will get a cascading waterfall when it rains with no advance warning.

[Viper]

Lyndon's right, just about any dismantable motor can be rewound. Before you condemn it though, you should check to ensure the circuit and components aren't the issue or you'll still have the problem after the motor rebuild. Check wiring and connections, switch, and breaker. You'll also want to make sure the unit is sliding properly and isn't binding for some reason giving the impression that it's a motor fault. Keep us posted

[flyinsolo]

Hi

I"m brand new to the forum. I have been researching as much as possible for a live aboard and I must say the 506 really seems to stand out as a great candidate for me. I have yet to look at one in person, but I must say one of my concerns with this boat would be that huge powered sunroof. As these boats are now in the 15+ age range, are there issues with them other than the electric motors and/or leaking?

I know it was mentioned about rewinding the motors and cleaning the drains to prevent leaks, but any other known issues with this roof would be appreciated. Also, since I'm looking to do this in South FL, one of my concerns is with the sun and the heat inside that area. I know it is an air conditioned area, but does any one have any practical experience dealing with the heat from this roof because of the sun?

Thanks

[Viper]

Welcome board. The 506 would certainly be roomy enough for you. You can block the sun through the roof with a smoked film product but it'll be permanent. If you want to let more light through without opening the roof, you can have a canvas cover fabricated for it and mount it on the bottom so it can be easily removed/installed. You may also want to consider doing this with the mesh material used for windshields, it'll keep most of the sunlight out while still allowing some light through. I have that on my front windshield. Works great, keeps the sun out but let's in just enough light to brighten the area up, and allows you to see out.

Good luck with your search.

[mjk1040]

Viper has a great solution but forgot to mention there are multiple degrees of mesh that let you decide how much light you do or don't want to radiate into your boat.

[Viper]

There is enough window square footage all around that aft deck and cockpit to keep the area hot at all times of the day while the sun is out. The sunroof, while contributing the most around high noon, is only part of it.

[flyinsolo]

Sorry for the slow response. I just now decided to check the forum again here. I figured this system would email me when someone replied here, but I guess not.

Anyhow, thanks for the replies. So Viper, it seems as though you are confirming my fears about that area being extremely hot during the day? If so, then I'm beginning to see perhaps why it doesn't seem like there are many (if any) of these boats in FL unfortunately.