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Since
the galley has no overhead cabinets, it also affords a great view, yet
there’s stowage aplenty in under-counter cabinets. A sink and a
two-burner stovetop occupy the forward athwartship leg, leaving the outboard
counter for workspace. The refrigerator is aft and is an apartment-size,
side-by-side Nova Kool that Carver says offers 20 percent more volume
than undercounter models.
Three
things are noteworthy about this interior. Thanks to nicely done cherry
joinery, it has a classier appearance than you might expect. It’s
covered in 65-ounce nylon carpeting that, whatever your opinion of carpeting
aboard may be, feels nice underfoot. And there’s an unusual amount
of standard equipment for a boat in this class, namely the saloon TV,
DVD player, and two-zone air conditioning.
Engine
access is through a centerline saloon hatch, and things below are generally
well-placed and accessible, with one exception: The oil fills for the
gasoline V-8s were right up against the overhead, so you’ve got
to remove floor panels to add oil. The batteries are in a nice wooden
box ahead of the starboard engine, but its lid is screwed down, hardly
conducive to regular checks. On the other hand, despite the fact that
this boat has a compact V-drive engine configuration, the shaft logs under
the mains are visible and accessible. Moreover, the catwalk between the
engines, which covers the waste tanks, is carpeted. It looks and feels
nice, but if you’re ambivalent about carpet up top, you’ll
shudder at the thought of it in the engine room. It’s secured by
snaps, so it’s easily removable.
The
one place Carver compromised to get that interior space is the cockpit.
At six feet long it’s a little small for anything other than maybe
four people sitting. A lazarette below offers stowage, although it’s
mostly taken up by the freshwater tank and optional genset, which thanks
to its remote location is virtually inaudible from the living spaces.
Access to both side decks from here is via port-side molded-in steps,
and it’s both easy and safe to get forward thanks to effective nonskid,
a sturdy, high bowrail that extends well aft, and handholds on the house
sides. The foredeck is nearly flat, and the Maxwell windlass there is
standard, another notable exception.
No spatial
compromises are apparent on the bridge. It has seating for at least six
(and drink holders for at least eight) in three pedestal seats and an
aft bench. Sightlines forward and to the sides are good, but not so good
aft. Our test boat had the enclosure in place. Visibility might be better
with the aft curtain removed.
The
one feature where you might expect the 360 to give up something in exchange
for her volume is handling—tenderness due to a high profile. Admittedly,
I tested her on a dead-flat river in a mild breeze, but I noted no tenderness
in hard turns and switchbacks where you might expect it to show itself.
She does have quite a hump—a maximum of nine degrees—while
planing, but you can ameliorate that by adding about half tab, then taking
it off once she’s leveled out. With a top end of nearly 35 mph,
the 360 has a nice turn of speed, although her twin 375-hp V-8s are thirsty.
However, if you can temper your need for speed, she has a relatively efficient
cruise at 3500 rpm, where she makes 28 mph and 0.85 mpg.
She’s
also pretty quiet, partly because of underwater exhausts, a type of system
I rarely see on boats in this size range. The only sounds you hear at
speed are from the engine air intakes, water, and wind, and at slower
speeds she’s whisper quiet.
The
Sport Sedan line may be a new venture, but the things that make Carvers
so popular—good value and superb space efficiency—remain.
To them the company has added standard equipment and upgraded interior
fitments. When you consider that, there’s really no magic here,
just a knowledge of what boaters want and how to deliver it.
Carver
Yachts Phone: (920) 822-3214. Fax: (920) 822-8814. www.carveryachts.com.
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