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

January 2010
Genmar Bankruptcy Update
 

Irwin Jacobs, former CEO of GENMAR Corporation, the parent company of Carver Boats, purchased the Carver and Marquis lines in a bankruptcy auction in early January.  Mr. Jacobs and a partner (J&D Acquisitions) reportedly paid $6.05 million for the brands and their manufacturing facilities.  Mr. Jacobs is quoted as saying that he found the GENMAR bankruptcy, "the most humbling and painful experience of my business career."  Mr. Jacobs blames the GENMAR bankruptcy on the economic times in which we live.  Mr. Jacobs also reportedly said that he may have let his corporate structure get too big.  Mr. Jacobs business partner in J&D Acquisitions is John Paul DeJoria, who also owns the John Paul Mitchell line of hair care products.  Mr. Jacobs and Mr. DeJoria are interested in buying assets sold to another bidder that will use fiberglass and composite materials to build the blades for wind-powered turbines.  Mr. Jacobs describes Mr. DeJoria as being, "a big man on wind energy."  In an earlier news article about the wind power blades, Mr. Jacobs forecast sales of the blades at $450 to $750 million annually within the next three years.

We wish Mr. Jacobs and Mr. DeJoria the very best as they resume operations for Carver/Marquis.  We hope that the new company will reconsider several of its marketing efforts and it's dealer network to better serve Carver and Marquis owners.   For example, Carver and its dealer network could offer "certified used" yachts, much like Lexus and BMW offer certified used cars.   Such a program would replace the negative language of not transferring a boat's warranty unless it is purchased from a Carver dealer and paying a transfer premium.   Unlike smaller boats, yachts require a strong brokerage operation in order to get existing owners to trade up.

 
Repowering Your Boat - Bob Benton

I repowered with Yanmar diesels replacing the stock Mercruiser MIE230’s. I used twin Yanmar 4JH4-THE engines along with the existing Borg-Warner Velvet Drive trannys (1 to 1)  and Walker V drives (2 to 1). The engines are rated at a continuous 110 HP each at 3200 RPM. The engines are not yet fully broken in so I haven’t been able to do a complete performance sheet but so far it averages 24 MPH at WOT and 18 MPH at 2800 RPM cruise. Mileage I don’t yet know since I don’t have a flo-scan.

So far, I am thrilled with the repower. I love to cruise to the Bahamas and putt around in the small remote islands in The Bimini’s, Berry’s and Exuma’s. Before I was always limited by range with the gas engines. That will not be a problem any longer.

With the repower I lost 5 MPH WOT speed and 4 MPH cruise speed. But, from the preliminary numbers I am seeing, my mileage more than doubles at WOT and almost triples at cruise. Then, if running at 7.5 KTS, which is my usual putt along speed, the mileage is absolutely amazing.

My total expenditures were around $45 G’s but that includes a few extra things and upgrades I had done at the same time: completely rebuilt both trannys and one V drive, bought one new V drive because of counter rotation, all new halon system, bottom paint, redo waterline pin stripes, etal.

 

Cruising the ICW Part II

Bruce offered an interesting suggestion about traveling the ICW based on his last voyage.  He suggested that cruisers leave relatively early in the morning and dock in the early afternoon.  His reasoning was simple - avoid the windier conditions in the later part of the day.  Nancy also suggested that one also carefully consider timing the tides, especially when entering and/or leaving via an inlet.  Bruce and Nancy made several easy passages in and out of inlets and one very interesting entry against a strong tide.

The most common phrase heard as a redneck's last words are, "Hey, y'all, watch this."  It is with that spirit that I introduce the tale of four yachtspersons who brought a 21 foot, open bow boat from Baltimore to southern Florida.  To read the blog, go to http://virtual-assoc.com/kiskadee/.  I have been warned to tell everyone that I was not really abandoned while everyone else went to a champagne brunch.  They were all actually at a Lowe's buying tools and parts that made the trip possible.  We did really meet Elizabeth Edwards.  This was great trip - a much different voyage than traveling on a yacht.

 
Club News

Here's a deal.  If you submit a newsletter story and we publish it you get an additional year added to your membership as payment.   Story ideas that I especially like are about things like your favorite cruises, anything to do with insurance, maintenance/repair tips, or pets on-board.  You can call me or email me by using this form http://carverownersclub.com/emailForm.htm.  Everybody has a story to tell - now tell the world.  Note that we cannot publish stories with adult themes.  I might enjoy hearing about them, but can't publish them.  Photos are always appreciated.

 
Events

Scott Gundaker's Winter Party, February 26, 2010, TBD.  Scott's usual party ran into a snag this year with the failure of the restaurant that has hosted our group.  Scott has a date and it looking for a venue.  Check the website for an update or contact Scott directly by emailing him at scottgundaker@hotmail.com. 

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. 

Costs are $100 per person, plus dockage of $1 per foot per night.  Electric costs $3 per night for 30 amp service and $5 per night for 50 amp service.  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.  Make your reservations now by calling Patsy at 800-540-2926.