CARVER OWNERS CLUB
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May 2003 Newsletter

Featured boat of the Month - 2002 396

Rich and Gayle Barnum Resign
"It is with a great deal of sadness that I must advise of my resignation as President of the Carver Owners Club. The reason for this is that Gayle and I have sold Whippoorwill Bay, our beloved Carver 405 and as such are no longer Carver owners.  

"The idea of the Carver Owners Club was born three years ago. Dave Bishop and I felt that Carver owners should have a forum to meet and discuss with other owners, issues relative to their Carver boats. After all, Silverton, Sea Ray, Bayliner, and many other names all had owners associations. We also felt that it was important that our club be independent from the manufacturer and dealer organizations. We were somewhat unsure of what will constitute success, but thought that perhaps 200 owners would join.

"With little (no, make that zero) in the way of advertising funds, membership started to trickle in. It was very slow at first and we had some months in which no new members signed on. But we had faith in the concept and soon the new member activity increased. Members were telling their friends and marina mates about the club and the value in joining. We surpassed our initial estimate of 200 and now have over 800 members….WOW did we underestimate.

"The club's focus has increased to include owner's rendezvous' in not only the Chesapeake but in many other areas of the country were Carver owners boat, a dedicated "Answer Lady" to coordinate activity in the BoatTalk section of the website, a store for discounted marine supplies, and a web section to highlight photos of owners boats and activities. All this within three years. I am very happy to be able to pass the reins of a very successful Carver Owners Club to the new president and look forward to hearing of continued success.

"Looking forward personally, Gayle and I are planning on expanding our boating activities and are looking for a trawler. We plan on spending extended periods of time on the new boat and hope to take her to many new ports of call. We'll miss our association with the Carver Owners Club but hope to see many of you on the waterways as we travel in the years to come."

Webdude comments: Rich and Gayle were the driving force behind the formation of the club.  They provided the model we used in setting up the Club and directed its growth over the past three years. Rich also served the important role of keeping me in line and minimizing the stupid things I could do.  

He and Gayle will be sorely missed by the Club.

New Regional Vice Presidents
The Club is pleased to announce two new couples as Regional Vice Presidents.  

Marsha and Ray Starsman are our Florida West Coast Regional Vice Presidents.  Marsha and Ray live in the Punta Gorda area and have a beautiful 504 Voyager.  They have planned out the Club's first Florida Rendezvous.

Pat and Al Herbert are our Mid-South Regional Vice Presidents.  Pat and Al live in Birmingham Alabama.  Pat is an radiation oncology nurse.  Al is the Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Birmingham.  They also have a beautiful 504, kept at Lake Guntersville, on the Tennessee River in northern Alabama.  They are planning out our first Mid-South Rendezvous.

Problems with Rudders
The Club received three reports of problems with rudders on some of the new models of Carvers. The number of reports is quite small and the Club has not contacted Carver for comment at the time of the Newsletter.  Here is one of the edited  reports we received from the owner of a 2002 396 

"I noticed a few thin cracks at the top of the port side rudder while recommissioning. I called my dealer.  The service manager told me that poor castings have been found on the rudders on some select new Carver 506 Motor Yachts. (Club Note:  We also received a report from the 564 and 570).
   
   "Having heard an admission from my dealer that this was not an isolated incident, and certainly no fault of mine, I was confident that Carver would stand behind their product. Only a few of the newer 506 models were reported to have poor rudder castings, my 396 is the first of its model to have such a claim.

  "After review, Carver promptly sent a replacement rudder to my dealer and exchanged at no cost to me.

   "We all know Carver Yachts to be one of the industries leading boat manufacturers backed by a warranty that is second to none! I'm happy to be a Carver Yacht owner and very pleased with the way my dealer handled everything for me."

Both of the other reports also said that replacements were immediately made.

Please note that since writing this initially, we have received two additional reports that we have not had time to investigate further.  

See Photos

Featured Boat
This month's featured boat is a 2002 - 396 from New York City. 

This item in each monthly newsletter shows unusual or innovative uses, decorating ideas, or cruises.  Submit your boat to be featured by contacting Events@carverownersclub.com 

New Web Site Design
I am in the process of completing the conversion to a new technology for the web site.  You'll see a new format immediately.  The old web site will continue to work for the next few days.

My hope is that the registration and maintenance process will be easier, especially for Family Album.  However, there will be some glitches as I convert the data from the old web technology to the new.  Thank you for your understanding.

Upcoming Events 
Sponsored Events

• Chesapeake Bay Rendezvous June 6, 7, & 8 2003 - destination Baltimore

• Northern Alabama Rendezvous in September 2003 at Lake Guntersville, Alabama Reservations open in June.  Hosted by Pat and Al Herbert. 

• Florida West Coast Rendezvous October 10, 11, & 12 - South Seas Resort, Captiva Island. Reservations open in July. Hosted by Marsha and Ray Starsman

Non-Sponsored Events
We've received several notices of upcoming events to be passed along.  Please remember that these are not club sponsored events. For more information please contact events@carverownersclub.com 

• Leaving Stuart Florida on June 23, returning July 4.  Visiting Grand Bahama, Berry Islands, Nassau, and Bimini

• June 27, 28, 29, 2003 – Puget Sound Carver Rendezvous
  Port of Poulsbo Marina, Poulsbo, WA
  Used boat equipment sale, silent auction, safety inspections, “Sharing the Helm” presentation, food, fun, raffle, and games
  If interested e-mail ckemp1@qwest.net