The Bayliner Owners Club is a gathering place for Bayliner Owners and prospective owners. No matter what size or model of Bayliner Boat that you have or are contemplating, we have members here who have that same model and would enjoy discussing it in a friendly, welcoming environment.
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What size? We bought our Carver 32 last summer just outside Dallas (Lake Texoma) and had it shipped to Yankton, South Dakota. Tried UShip but just got into an annoying debate with shippers about whether the flybridge had to come off. We finally went with Hight Boat Transport just north of Dallas, but Jim ships nationwide. They did a fantastic job. 12,000 lb boat, arrived in great shape. Of course a lot of the shipping expense depends on the route -- you'll be going through new York and past Chicago which is a pain for shippers, height-wise. Maybe your boat is smaller or lower. Hight Transport had a very interesting rig that carried the boat just a few inches off the pavement and they mapped out the route so they didn't need pilot cars, and we didn't have to take off the flybridge.
I looked at a Carver 3607 in Noank, CT a few weeks ago. Very nice boat but I just couldn't make the shipping work out. I even thought of taking a month off this summer and sailing it on Long Island Sound, up the Hudson, Erie Canal, haul out in Toledo and truck it from there but that made no financial sense at all either -- even if I were willing to spend a pile of extra money just for the fun of the Hudson and Canal trip. There's another Carver 3607 in LaCrosse that would make far more sense, I'll look at that one as soon as I can get out there, if it's still for sale. Boy, I'm surprised with all the Carvers around Minneapolis and Chicago that you have to go to New York for one. Shipping our Carver went well and it was a good learning experience and when it was all over we still got a good deal, but it's not quick and simple or cheap and NY to MN would probably be worse because of routing issues.
Thanks for the replies guys. It's a 350 Mariner. Yes there are quite a few on the market in Chicago but this one seems like the one and if I get it for what I think it will cost, It's worth the hassle.
Last summer we had our new boat (3270) shipped from Lake Geneva, Wis. To Red Wing, Mn. MRE from Elk River, Mn. was the mover... I would have him again if I get a different boat....
Good size boat to haul. 13ft wide and tall also. You better be prepared for good $$$ money to haul. I am not sure if Whealon will haul that distance. They are very good and reasonable and have awesome trailers to keep its height down. The guys on U ship will want the bridge off and still charge the crap out of you.
Thanks for all the replies guys. I've got some preliminary quotes and while they are high, It's more than offset buy what I was able to buy the boat for. Thunder you are right and it looks like the arch and windsheild will have to come off. I'm excited to get the boat but it's a long way off. Gotta set up the sea trial and survey and haul it back to MN. I got hooked on the Mariner last summer when I got a ride in one. I still think it's pretty ugly but man there is tons of useable space.
Great boat, a guy in my pool has one and I have been on it. Lots of room and the bridge and walk area to the bow is nice. Agree on the looks, the windshield and the bridge is far forward which gives it that look, but also gives it the extra height and layout in the cabin. Easily over looked though with the nice layout.
You're right about the space, that's a Carver for you. When we went shopping for a big boat we looked at everything in that range, Mainship, Carver, Silverton...finally found a fantastic deal on our Carver that was so good the big shipping expense ($4000) was still worth it. I had no deep prior affection for Carvers in particular before buying ours, but now that we've had it a while I really like Carvers a lot. I think they're well made for the prevailing prices, the older Crusaders are relatively simple engines to work on, and you do get acres of space for the length. If we had it to do over again we may have waited and bought the 330 fromt he early 90's for the bigger size (bigger by more than just a foot, boat design number aside) and much improved layout, but oh well. My dad captains a SeaRay 560 sedan bridge for a guy in Florida and while that's a very nice yacht, even on that one I appreciate the Carver more and more -- which sounds ridiculous I know, my 1983 little old Carver compared to the million dollar SeaRay, but for the money, I'm a die hard Carver fan now.
(Yeah, the newer Mariners do look like floating Clorox bottles to me, and as you say the other Mariners are not that pretty either, but I think they're good boats for the money.)
Carver like Bayliner utilizes space very well on their boats. No space is wasted for the most part. They are not the best looking boats but they do know how to use space. That is a plus if you spend a lot of time aboard.
Rick Grew
2022 Stingray 182 SC
2004 Past Commodore
West River Yacht & Cruising Club
Thanks guys. Nice to feel a little Carver love. Only problem is their owner's forum totally blows. If I stick some Cierra stickers on the side, can I still hang here if this deal goes through?
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