Looking at a 1986 4207

[vriceflyer]

Well we have been out looking at a Carver again. Wife would like 2 cabins and 2 heads.
The boat is a 1986 4207 with 3208 cats. 600 hours on one and 2900 hours on the other with 2300 hours on the Kohler.
Is this a good cruising/handling boat?
Is there anything I should look for in particular?
Are these engines considered reliable?
Housekeeping is not good but the hull and deck look good.
Needs bottom job and a general cleanup.
Fuel burn at "cocktail speed" and at cruise speed?
Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Vince

 

[Mike Dzurko]

Vince:

We looked at a couple 4207s last year. Beautiful boats with a lot of room. I suspect they’d handle pretty well at harbor speeds based on owner comments and hull shape and weight. They are fairly tall and will grab a fair amount of wind. Nice walk around access to the front. My only complaints would be that there isn’t much natural light or air in the aft cabin; the wing doors are too narrow to bring wide stuff, like coolers through, and the steep ladder from swim platform up to aft deck. You mentioned that housekeeping wasn’t so good. That always concerns me as I figure if they don’t take care of the cosmetics, are they taking care of the serious maintenance issues? At least this is something to consider with any offer you make.

 

[pdecat]

those were popular engines at 375 hp and below. A decent boat, with no special problams, that handles easily at slow or fast speed and because of that it wont be as fast as some of the flat bottom types. probably 2-3 NMpG at 7.5 kts. 0.5 at 18Kts. Wind is not a special problem because of weight and keel.

 

[vriceflyer]

Thank you for your help. We have decided to skip this one for now.