99/00 44 Hardtop express thoughts, opinions, reviews, etc

[SeaNile]

I'm very familiar with the Sea Ray line up and currently considering a 99-02 400 SunDancer with Cat 3116/3126 engines.

Came across a 2000 Trojan Hardtop Express made by Carver with Volvos and have lots of questions.

Any owners on here? The specs from the 40 SeaRay to 44 Carver/Trojan are pretty different obviously. The Trojan is a much bigger boat all around. We'd be using it on the Chesapeake Bay.

Thanks in advance for the comments!

[km1125]

Not an owner and don't have any specific info on those, but got these two snaps from an older Powerboat Guide in case it helps any.

Trojan_express1.jpg

Trojan_express2.jpg

[Cooler]

Trojan was purchased by Carver in 1998. Carver was trying to expand into the express style market to compliment it's MY's. The Trojan's were then built by Carver and were built very well. IMO, the Trojan is a much better built boat when compared to Sea Ray. Their style was a little boxy at first, but that changed when they went to the rounded style of windshield and a little more European lines. When you get to 40' class, construction techniques are really bulked up. This is a 30,000 lb boat so it certainly is not a lightweight and should handle the Chesapeake area very easily. If you have a little time, call Carver with the hull # of the boat, and ask away. They will have the actual build out log for that vessel, as well as any recall or recurring problems information, if there is any of that sort of info. It is not a speedy boat, but I prefer comfort over speed. Here is a link to the spec sheet: https://carveryachts.blob.core.windows. ... ess_00.pdf Great boat! er

[bud37]

QR_BBPOST Trojan was purchased by Carver in 1998.

Around July 1992 actually....I have heard Carver did not use any of the Trojan molds as they were altered for the one model line ( much like the original Trojan international series ). What you see in the mid 90's is all Carver.

My understanding for what it is worth......

[SeaNile]

Looking at a 99 this weekend and have my eye on a 2000. The 99 is asking 159!!!! LOL Talk about needing a reality check. I'm really liking the 2000. All this time I just figured we'd end up with a 400/410 Sea Ray.

Covid is making looking at the 2000 impossible. Given the severity of the pandemic I am not complaining but I am impatient!

[Cooler]

Yea, I know what you feel! This is the time of year when our focus on boats and marinas really kicks in. I think it has something to do with the snow, ice, wind, cold, and lack of sunlight. Our boats have also been in storage for a couple of months. We escape that torture with the part of our mind called Fantasy Island. If you're really good at it, you can even smell the fiberglass and romantic fragrance of exhaust fumes. Maybe there is a boat name in there somewhere. Where is the 2000 listed? Food for thought....we gained almost 3 minutes of sunlight since Dec 21, and there are only 122 days to launch season. er

[SeaNile]

The 99 asking 159k is in Jersey City and the 2000 is in Toronto. COVID and travel restrictions make seeing the 2000 impossible;. Lets not even talk about how I'd get it from Toronto to the Chesapeake Bay.

[Cooler]

Actually, transport should be easy enough. By May, most of those COVID related issues should be better. So truck should be available, or maybe that is the opportunity for the shake down cruise. The good news is it is an express style so height issues for truck transport would not be a problem. Finally, maybe you could find someone in this forum that lives in Toronto to go look at it for you. Someone that has some significant experience, and Carver owner background, would be a good resource for that. If the boat was in Wisconsin, within 50 miles of Green Bay, I would be happy to do a preliminary inspection. Most people here are very helpful. er

[SeaNile]

I'm also trying to rationalize the cost difference. I know the boats are vastly different but a 99-01 40' SeaRay is about 95-110.
Toronto one is about 126k plus transport. Has a factory hardtop which is pretty nice.
The one asking 159k is absolutely insane but I do like the cockpit air conditioning.

Is the 44 Express really "worth" 30k more?

[bud37]

QR_BBPOST Is the 44 Express really "worth" 30k more?

This past year has seen some whacky high prices for boats, up some 20-30%...everything that was any good was selling ....with I might add people in bidding wars. Just a guess but when this virus is dealt with I think boat prices will drop back.

One thing about that model is the 15ft beam....nothing better than width in a boat.....got some deadrise as well.

30k more is all in what is there IMO.......if it is truly turn key, all up dated ( electronics, hoses, electrics, lines, heads, soft materials etc ) and surveys out real nice then that may be the value.........generally my experience is that most times you will spend 20k + on any resonable priced boat in the first year not counting slip fees etc.

How long has this boat been on the market at that price ?