New Carver Owner (again). The old STARRY NIGHT!

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ChefJunk

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I hijacked my own thread with this topic while I was preparing to purchase the boat but I figured I better start a new one.

This summer I decided to sell my 1986 Carver Mariner in favor of an express cruiser. I looked around and decided I did not want another brand and that Carver is where I belong. So, I recently purchased a 1988 Carver Montego from the 1000 Islands area that was formerly owned by RO Starry Night. The boat is still called Starry Night. I will probably change the name but alot of people keep telling me they like the name so it may stay.

I will be enjoying it for a few more weeks before I have to put it away for the winter but I am excited to begin work on my projects I have planned for her over the winter. I hope to continue the progress Bob made on it when he owned it. It had a good home until he traded it in two years ago then it was let go for a couple of years (mostly cosmetic issues). Starry Night did a great job with the boat and I am certain I will get some good use out of it in it's new home on Lake Erie.

Here is a really good shot of it on our trip up the Erie Canal at one of our overnight stops:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/... Trip/10132_1143126140719_1304444373_3041.jpg

Here are some other photo's from the trip:
http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg1/legochef/

Thanks,

Jim
 
Congratulations! We are still in the water and hope to get out the weekend of the 23rd. If you're out let me know. After that we're pulling the boat out for the season. The pix look like it was a great trip.
 
Jim,
Great pictures. Wow that was one great trip. I am glad to hear everything went well. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Remember that you will need to clean the air conditioner vent at least once a month if you use the boat every weekend. If you cannot figure out how to take it apart let me know and I can step you through it.

I also left a booklet and CD with information on the boat when we traded it in. Hope you have it.
 
Jim,
After you got out of the canel what stops did you make getting back to Sandusky

Niles
 
Great pictures! I glad to see that a boat that was loved and cared for has found a new home and will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
 
Jim,
Congrats on your new ride and successful maiden voyage!
After a week aboard, what do you like about your Montego over the Mariner?
 
To be fair, the Mariner was smaller and a flybridge. I think I may like the 32 Mariner though.

Plus sides of the Montego:
MUCH easier to handle in the wind
More torque (454's vs. 305's)
Similar fuel burn at cruise
MUCH better riding. Does not pound like the Mariner did.
Decent Shower
No stairs into the forward berth
Large forward berth
A LOT MORE TOYS (Thanks Bob!)
Does not bob side to side like the old boat did
Looks more appropriate for a single 30 year old guy
Has a REALLY comfy helm seat (again, Thanks Bob!)
Comfy beds (Thanks Bob!)
Spotlight and windlass have come in really handy and I would not have purchased them had I not known.
Love the bell next to the seat. We had quite a few bell ringers when we were out in the crappy weather!
I think I will not be afraid to single hand this boat when there is a breeze like I was with the Mariner

Plus sides of the Mariner:
Higher seating means better visibility
No fender/racks in the line of sight (will likely move them on the Montego)
Better cosmetic condition (like new in and out simply from lack of use of previous owners) but that can be fixed on the Montego (Not Bob's fault, the previous owners did not care for it properly)
Better outboard side engine access (smaller engines)
More galley storage (due to my modifications)
A little more comfortable going forward due to the high rails on the cabin top (I'll get used to it though)

Thanks,

Jim
 
So glad to hear you had a great trip, both the plane ride out and the boat trip back.. Sounds like it was quite an adventure!

Best of luck with your purchase...
 
Congrats again Jim...I look forward to seeing her in and aroound Sandusky and the Islands.
 
Jim,

Your comment about "More galley storage (due to my modifications)" interests me as I have a 350 Mariner. However, I do not want to highjack this thread. Please respond about these modifications to mike at marlinmike dot com - maybe you have some pics, please?

Mike
 
quote:
Originally posted by marlinmikea

Jim,

Your comment about "More galley storage (due to my modifications)" interests me as I have a 350 Mariner. However, I do not want to highjack this thread. Please respond about these modifications to mike at marlinmike dot com - maybe you have some pics, please?

Mike

Click to expand...


My Mariner was the 28 Mariner. It had a princess stove unit and a cabinet below. I took that out and installed a microwave unit where the cabinet door was and a cutting board over the hole from the range. With this setup, I had all of the area behind the microwave and the area in the corner of the "L" of the countertop. I was able to store things more efficiently from the top than if you were to load it from the side.

I am thinking of modifying the galley in the Montego by doing something similar to this one but also shortening the setee by 1/3 and installing a second refrigerator and moving the sink aft. Will draw some plans up before I make any major moves. I will possibly be living on the boat next season for a couple weeks at a time and would like it to be a little more liveable.

Thanks,

Jim
 
Jim, Congratulations on such a successful and enjoyable trip. You've got to feel great about commanding her all the way home. It's also cool to see how proud Bob is, but after such a long trip you have no doubt put your own grease on her now. We're all pretty happy for you.
 
Jim, You mentioned that you've got a comfy helm seat. Please tell me what it is. Mine is new but I don't fit. It's too shallow and nothing about it is cool except for how it looks. So I sit in the Admiral's seat and look at it. Help.
 
It's a Todd helm seat. It's called the 5star Helm Chair. I know it's about a grand from "the other store" but I did not see it in the boatfix catalog. There are other Todd products in the catalog so I am sure boatfix could get it for you at a better price. It comes in white, beige, and black.

Depending on how your boat is set up, I would go to an auto salvage place and get a seat out of a car. They are designed to be comfortable for long trips and if you don't mind black, a nice seat should come pretty cheap from a BMW, Caddy, Lexus, etc. I know it sounds hillbilly, but in the right application (covered) it may work and be really comfortable.

Thanks,

Jim
 
Jim,
I was looking into a larger fridge before we sold her. I believe Tundra, Novacool, and Isotherm have larger fridges that can fit in the opening were the Norcold presently sits. These fridges are approx 4.3 cubic ft. the one I looked at at the time was Tundra. I think all I needed to do was raise the electric stove top by 1-2 inches because it was a deeper. You could probably change the stove top out to a newer flatter style to get the hight underneath to install the larger fridge. This would save you a great deal of time and work unless you need two fridges of course.
 
Jim, I followed up on your suggestion about a helm seat and went to the auto junk yard this morning. I got the most comfortable, clean, high back, reclining, driver's seat w/arm rests straight out of a conversion van. Paid $100.00. My man !
 
Jim, I followed up on your suggestion about a helm seat and went to the auto junk yard this morning. I got the most comfortable, clean, high back, reclining, driver's seat w/arm rests straight out of a conversion van. Paid $100.00. My man !
 
I think a dentist's chair would be nice.
 
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