Carver Owners Forum

Hey Forum,

My 36 Aft Cabin is going on a truck tomorrow for a ride from Michigan to Florida. I prepped it according to the transporter’s instructions, and left the boat. Driver saw my pictures and recommended removing the plastic panels that wrap around the aft deck below the rail.

They seemed like they’re on there pretty good, held with some type of rivet. The boat will ride stern forward. Do those panels really need to come off? I land Chicago 6 am tomorrow and can drive up to Spring Lake by the scheduled pick up time to either remove them or tie them up somehow. But I’d rather just point the car south from Chicago and meet the boat in Florida.

Those panels probably stand up to heavy weather conditions. Do you think they’ll be ok, without even being tied up?

Welcome and congrats! I had. ‘92 33/350 aft cabin and know those panels well. Personally, I’d remove them. Even if just one gets cracked/broken/lost, they’re super difficult to replace or even replicate o make them all match. Better safe than sorry. Good luck on the new boat!

Are those rivets that attaché them to the rail, that you have to drill out? I’m thinking just tie them up really well.

I agree with carverlvr2 ....I think if your transporter suggests it. Lets face it, those are old plastic now and were never made for 70 MPH and vibrations going down the road. Its up to you.

If these are the plastic ones you betcha they can pull out. The plastic ones are on my 405. I havent had troubles but i have also removed many of the plastic rivets and replaced with screws drilled through railing decorateve covers and teflon nuts inside. I do not trust the rivets, several years ago i even purchased and still have some of the oem rivets from Carver. The original oem rivets can definetly pull out as age has reduced their strength over time. and once you loose a panel section or break one youll be kicking yourself for not removing them. You can google these and see posts (even on this forum)and other websites or pics on yachtworld etc. where others have had them break or lost one andb tried to find replacements which arent available or try and come up with something else that looks similiar. If you still have the oem panels and are in good shape etc. i wouldnt take any chances. Imo they should definetly be removed if your travelling down the highway.

Thanks for sharing your insights and advice. I’m on my way to boat to remove panels, hopefully before truck arrives. Just drill out the rivets? All looks original and good shape.