CARVER OWNERS CLUB
This site is owned by, managed by, and exclusive to Carver, Californian, and Trojan owners.

November 2009
Genmar Bankruptcy Update

October and November have been busy months in the Genmar (the parent company of Carver Boats) bankruptcy.  Here are the highlights as noted from several sources:

  1. 1.  Genmar has abandoned its original bankruptcy strategy of restructuring and has moved ahead to sell its assets in a bankruptcy supervised auction of assets to be held on January 7, 2010.
  2. 2.  Irwin Jacobs resigned as CEO of Genmar to prevent a conflict of interest as he attempts to be the high bidder on the Genmar bankruptcy auction sale of assets.  Jacobs owns Florida Wildlife (FLW), a professional fishing promoter.  FLW is promoting Ranger, Stratos, and Champion boats through its 2010 promotion schedule.  Some industry analysts believe that Jacobs will take possession of some of the remnants of Genmar.  An opening bid of approximately $55 million was made in late November by Platinum Equity.
  3. 3.  There is no news relative to what might happen to Carver or Marquis boat companies in the bankruptcy auction.
 
Leave It In Gear! - Roger Bayer
 
I may have been the only person that did not know this, but just in case I'm not - after you shut down your engines, put the shifters in gear, either forward or reverse, it does not matter.
 
This Spring, I received a call from my marina. The starboard engine had started itself. The keyset had shorted in the start position. When you start your engines, you release the key which allows it to move from the start position to the on position, disengaging the starter. The short kept the key in the start position, burning out the starter, the starter solenoid and causing damage to the wiring harness. Roughly, a $2,500 repair bill.
 
Had the shifter been in gear, the safety interlock would not have allowed the engine to start. You have to be in neutral to start the engine. So if I had left the shifter in gear, the problem would not have occurred.

Thanks, Roger, for the heads-up.
 

Bruce and Nancy Cruise the ICW

Bruce and Nancy started their cruise down the ICW from Herrington Harbor North on October 30.  They arrived at Harborage Marina in Stuart, FL on November 21.  They picked up a new radar unit, ocean-going experience, and (of course) many more stories to tell about the ICW.  My personal favorite was when they entered the Alligator River from the Albemarle Sound.  I've had something very similar happen to me.  While it is amusing later (much later), it's real exciting at the time.  Click here to read Nancy's blog.

 
Events

Florida East Coast Rendezvous, February 26, 2010, Harborage Yacht Club and Marina, Stuart, Florida 34994.  Several years ago, we had a successful Rendezvous on the West Coast of Florida.  We're going to try to re-create the same excitement on the east coast early next year. The Harborage Yacht Club and Marina has as many slips as we can use and there are two restaurants on site - one a more formal, table cloth restaurant and the other a more casual, larger restaurant.  The marina itself has excellent facilities, including a workout room, swimming pool, and hot tub.  Events planned so far are:

  • Thursday, February 25 - Unofficial - pre-Rendezvous Meet and Greet.  Harborage Yacht Club has a long standing Meet and Greet on Thursday evenings.  The hors d'oeuvres are usually excellent and the beer/wine is half price.  The service charge (gratuity) is included with the bill, so service is excellent.
  • Friday morning to early afternoon, February 26 - Rendezvous check-in and local tour.  This is still a work in process, but we're looking at sightseeing trips to some local attractions, as well as a tour of the condos here at the Yacht Club.  Let us know if you might be interested in some golf.
  • Friday afternoon, Pot luck dinner, on the dock.  We're coordinate dishes and the Club provides water, beer, wine, and sodas.  This was a highlight at the west coast Rendezvous.
  • Saturday morning, February 27 - Vendor Presentations.  Again, this is not complete, but we hope to have a marine electronics vendor bring a display trailer with the latest equipment.  We are also working to have an insurance spokesperson give us an update on Florida insurance changes.
  • Saturday afternoon - Boat Hop (Tour of Boats).  Put your boat on display for other members.  This is a great way to get and give ideas.  If you are selling your boat, it is also a great way to showcase your boat.  (Since we don't have dealer/broker sponsors, there is not an issue with including for sale boats for members.)
  • Saturday evening - Cocktail Hour and Poolside Sit Down Dinner.  This is our "formal" drinks and dinner program to be held in the poolside/grill area.  This is a beautiful, protected area where we can dine regardless of the weather.
  • Sunday morning, February 28 - Boat Talk Live and Departure brunch, location TBD.  Boat Talk Live is a moderated discussion of issues affecting Carver, Californian, and Trojan boats.  The brunch offers cooked to order eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, fruit (not cooked to order), and toast. 

We're working very hard to keep costs below $100 per person, plus dockage.  If you can't bring your boat, you can still join us for a fun weekend on and near the water.  We are negotiating with an upscale hotel nearby for special rates.  We will begin accepting reservations in late December.