Update on Carver resource attempt.

[Viper]

QR_BBPOST Viper, I would think it would add some value to the boat also to have that information. I know if I was buying a boat that had the manufacturers build information included I would be more impressed with the purchase. That's not just something you see everyday.

Absolutely. That is priceless IMO. There's no way I could put a price on the information I've gotten from them over the course of my ownership and career.

[Cooler]

I did inquire with KC's team earlier in the year, but did not have any success in that direction. If anyone in this forum would have had connection to Irwin Jacob's estate or his son, that library may be available. The estate has to still be open, because this double dip purchase has not had time to settle to closure. Cruiser's did not purchase any of that legacy information or any Carver brand elements. Just the facility/real estate/machinery. If I run into KC I will have that conversation. Most of the build out logs were in hard copy form. There were some that were lost in a fire in late 90's, but I think most of that was from 93/94 model years. Hopefully, more to come! er

[Sgodfrey]

Hello -

Just spent a day dealing with a wipers on a 2000 Voyager 450 and remembered how great it was to email Pat and get a quick answer after he looked up the Bill of Materials on my boat - has there been any movement by Cruisers on getting that great support back ? Pat helped me on several occasions and yesterday trying to figure out replacement parts without Pat was like a day without sun (it was raining as well). thanks

[Viper]

I would suspect that the new owners purposely don't want you to have any access to Carver information. The motive in my opinion, and it's strictly a business move, is to make it more difficult to access parts info in hopes of steering you away from that brand and moving into a brand that benefits their interests. If we're able to continue getting support for Carver, it's one less motivator for you to switch to their current brand. I would also suspect that non disclosure agreements had to be signed by individuals preventing them from sharing Carver info. If I'm right, it's too bad but that's business unfortunately. The best we can hope for is that something changes and the info is made available, failing that, our best bet is to rely on each other here and previous dealerships.

[km1125]

QR_BBPOST I would suspect that the new owners purposely don't want you to have any access to Carver information. The motive in my opinion, and it's strictly a business move, is to make it more difficult to access parts info in hopes of steering you away from that brand and moving into a brand that benefits their interests. If we're able to continue getting support for Carver, it's one less motivator for you to switch to their current brand. I would also suspect that non disclosure agreements had to be signed by individuals preventing them from sharing Carver info. If I'm right, it's too bad but that's business unfortunately. The best we can hope for is that something changes and the info is made available, failing that, our best bet is to rely on each other here and previous dealerships.

IIRC in the original announcements of the purchase/sale, the new owners may not actually own any of that information, and therefore would not have any "rights" to distribute it. They didn't buy the brands of Carver and Marquis, just the physical facility that they were produced in. Not 100% sure on this, just based on the public info that was distributed back at that time.

[Viper]

That would make sense too but then beckons the question; why wouldn't the Carver brand owners want to make the information available somehow for loyal owners. I'm sure something could have been worked out with this forum's administrators for example (maybe, hint hint). Sure seems unfortunate that the info would be lost forever in this day and age when so much can be done to maintain its availability. Hopefully there's something that just needs to blow over and Carver will rise again

[Phrancus]

For the part of the documentation that was available online: I started to experiment with the following as a solution; I set up a webshop with the documents as a downloadable product. Just like you can buy software online, pay, download and keep it yourself (or ebooks and such). This allows for searching, listing and multiple files selection (fill your basket and the checkout, get the download link and there you are.

Price of course can be zero, that's not the point of using a shop type system. The reason for that is to be able to search and select whatever you like to help you with your boat type (and other model years for example).

Unfortunately I got a bit stuck at importing the huge list of files as the software I was using did not work the way I expected: it did not create separate products from a list. And adding each product individually per boat type with tags like model year and such is way too much time consuming.

Some limitation to who can download and perhaps some donation button for hosting cost is under consideration. If such a shop can be inserted/linked to the forum that would allow for some screening: only members with x number of posts for example. If the community finds that necessary of course. Donations to the forum, paypal system is in place for that.

Should the importing of products with tags, and file locations work, this could be extended with whatever else there is in FAQ, docs, howto's and whatnot. In fact, uploading one's own scans or files to complete the library would be possible.

just a bit short of time, I've got a old boat you see......

[bud37]

Maintaining legacy is I believe very expensive and with it comes liability. The new owners I am sure want to sell new boats not keep old orphan brand boats on the water.....business as usual I think.

In reality most of the good info came from a select group at the original plant, they still exist but like I said liability. There are many former regional Carver dealers out there, I wonder if any of them have any info or data they would part with.

Phrancus....you have done a great job so far....way beyond my pay grade..

[Phrancus]

Thanks.

The liability is an issue if someone / some firm would provide the information (even for free) I suppose? Not if the forum collects and offers without commercial interests?


Any list of ex carver dealers or for that matter, any yachts (of this type) dealers would be good to have. Not a very big project to send them all one or two emails requesting any documentation on Carver's. The work starts should they actually start sending stuff!