For Pete..

[concorde mike]

Pete, You've done a wonderful job providing information on all of the Carver models. Thank you for that. I am almost in the market for a vintage Carver now. The only thing I don't understand about the vintage Carvers now is the coring issue. Am I right in assuming that all glass Carver hulls prior to what looks like 1982/83 would have been would have been balsa cored? I particularly like the late model (82/83) Mariner 33 for the very livable design and low cost to aquire aspects. I too love older "save me" boats. Any info you could shed light on would be appreciated. Mike

 

[Unknown]

Thanks for the compliments, Mike, and welcome to the forum!!! (BTW I love boats like yours - we have a Concorde on our creek and its beautiful!!!)

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner - was out on the boat this weekend!!!

Any boat that ends in a "5" or "6" will have a balsa cored hull bottom. The even older "0" series are all wood. The 33 Mariner was the LAST cored bottom design Carver built, up through 1984. So yes, an '82 or '83 would have that bottom. Not that it should necessarily deter you - just be sure that its a boat that (1) didn't have a lot of modifications in the bilge area (that could have been done sloppily and allowed water into the core) or (2) has a survey done by someone you trust so they can check the moisture readings. Neither my '75 or my '80 have ever had problems with the core, even though the '75 twice sustained damage from striking underwater objects (thank you New York Harbor flotsam) and from being run up on a beach during an unexpected gale...

If it bothers you, though, consider the 1985-onwards 32/33/330 Mariner (3297) series which looks like hell to many eyes but is all fiberglass and the price differential on the old ones probably isn't all that bad...

 

[concorde mike]

Thanks Pete, I really am in love with my boat but when I get discouraged...I look at others...I am a cheater LOL. Love those Carvers