The PowerBoat Guide Blog

Tracking Today’s Fast-Paced Yacht Boating Market

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"The stability of the hull underway was due in part to the low profile design of this pilothouse style cruiser and the hull design by Carver engineers... This elegant and well-designed cruising yacht offers comfort and style without giving up luxury. "

–BoatTest.com

"Surprisingly, for a boat of this size, all-round visibility from the pilothouse is excellent, even looking aft through the main saloon, thanks to the clever layout of the windows. There’s no black spots on this boat, which gives the skipper control of the vessel at all times."

–yachtandboat.com

"Long before we started the big Volvo Pentas, the Carver 570 Voyager impressed me with her thoughtful arrangement plan, standard equipment, materials and workmanship. The company's goal is to build comfortable, luxurious cruising yachts at a reasonable price, and this boat fits the profile nicely."

–Yachting Magazine

"Throughout a variety of maneuvers, including hard turns and offshore speed runs, the 570 gave us a stable, solid ride. It handled responsively, and had a tight turning radius for its size."

–Boating World Magazine

Owner and editor of the PowerBoat Guide, Ed is a contributing writer for Denison Yacht Sales.

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Carver has been building motor yachts longer than many of today’s yacht brokers have been out of grade school. Beginning with a succession of popular aft cabin models in the 1980s, by the early 2000s the Carver fleet had grown to include several cruising yachts in the 50-foot range. These were good years for the yachting industry and Carver rode a wave of sales success with several midsize motor yachts and cruisers. Among them were four notable models over 50 feet in length that became market leaders in their category. Profiled below, Carver sold so many of these yachts that they are now easily found on every big-boat brokerage market in the country.

It all came to a halt with the Great Recession in 2007, but even though parent company Genmar went bankrupt in 2009 Carver never stopped building boats. The company was restructured, new owners took over and today Carver has resumed its place as one of America’s truly iconic builders.

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A versatile layout and affordable price made the 570 a huge sales success for Carver.

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2001 Model (CT) .................................... $449,000

2002 Model (FL) ..................................... $325,000

2002 Model (FL) ..................................... $499,000

2003 Model (MI) ..................................... $395,000

2003 Model (TN) .................................... $399,000

2004 Model (NY) .................................... $425,000

2004 Model (FL) ..................................... $475,000

"Solid construction, access for easy upgrades, a desirable layout, and long-life diesel engines combine for a sought-after cruiser on the brokerage market, and Carver’s Voyager 560 checks off all the boxes."

–Power& Motoryacht Magazine

"Luxury and comfort await in three very accommodating staterooms. Newly designed vertical hull portholes bathe the full beam master stateroom in warm, natural light. Add to this a generously appointed interior that’s as beautiful as it is practical, and the 560 Voyager is an irresistible retreat ready-made for family and friends."

–topspeed.com

"From her three sumptuous cabins to the spacious salon to the well-appointed flying bridge, this motor yacht is loaded with big features and small details. Add the comfort and versatility of the contemporary dual-station layout and you’ve got a winner. The Voyager is truly the total package- style, luxury, engineering, and value."

The 560 Voyager’s sleek appearance and superior accommodations struck the right note with buyers.

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Typical MLS Listings*

2004 Model (FL) .................................... $475,000

2005 Model (FL) ..................................... $515,000

2004 Model (TN) .................................... $459,000

2006 Model (AL) .................................... $539,000

2007 Model (KS) .................................... $539,000

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*Compiled in June, 2019

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"Carver pays meticulous attention to the craftmanship and technology of its yachts. .. If your taste runs toward a big comfortable cruising yacht with the kind of style that satisfies both the mind and eye, Carver’s 530 Voyager Pilothouse just might be your starship."

–Boattest.com

"The essence of the change at Carver is most evident in the Voyager's pilothouse where the skipper sits in solitary splendor. Among the more pleasant aspects of the boat was the conversation-level silent running and the livability below while underway."

–Boating Magazine

The 530’s classic pilothouse lines will probably always be in style, and the spacious cherry wood interior ranked with the most comfortable cruising yachts of her day.

–PowerBoat Guide

1998 Model (CA) .................................... $299,000

1998 Model (VA) .................................... $220,000

1999 Model (MS) ................................... $289,000

1999 Model (FL) .................................... $210,000

2000 Model (MA) ................................... $230,000

2000 Model (ME) ................................... $280,000

2001 Model (FL) .................................... $289,000

2001 Model (FL) .................................... $325,000

No other midsize motoryacht of her day surpassed the sales popularity of the 530 Voyager.

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The vast interior spaces of the Carver 506 are perfect for entertaining family and friends.

"...the 506 is an impressive design with an appealing modern approach to styling. Her 51-foot, 7-inch LOA and 15-foot, 4-inch beam are common for a yacht of her type, but within those dimensions Carver delivers a layout one might find on a 60-footer."

"Carver makes great use of the 15'4" beam in the 506 by pushing out the salon nearly to the hullsides. But how can that be? What happened to the sidedecks? They're still there, but they have been raised well above the hull's sheerline."

"The 506 is an aft-cabin motoryacht that combines the aft deck and pilothouse into a single, wide-open space under a hardtop. This design, combined with accommodations for six, makes her ideal for long-range cruising in any weather."

–Boattest.com  

2000 Model (MD) ................................... $209,000

2000 Model (MO) ................................... $289,000

2000 Model (MN) ................................... $229,000

2001 Model (NY) .................................... $275,000

2001 Model (IL) ...................................... $225,000

2002 Model (IL) ...................................... $329,000

2002 Model (FL) ..................................... $394,000

2001 Model (FL) ..................................... $234,000

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Ed is the editor and publisher of the PowerBoat Guide.

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4 Top Selling Carver Motor Yachts That Are Always in Demand

Carver 570 Voyager, 2001–05

Carver 560 Voyager, 2004–09

Carver 530 Voyager, 1998–2005

Carver 506 Motor Yacht, 2000–03

IMAGES

  1. A Guide to Late Model Motoryachts, Cruisers and Fishing Boats, 26' to 75'

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  2. 2024 PowerBoat Guide: Amazon.co.uk: McKnew, Ed: 9798851790898: Books

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  3. Powerboat Guide 2025

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  4. PowerBoat Guide to Motor Yachts & Trawlers

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  5. A Guide to Late Model Motoryachts, Cruisers and Fishing Boats, 26' to 75'

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  6. Sell POWERBOAT GUIDE By McKnew & Parker ©1990 Pictures, Specifications & Reviews in Merlin

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COMMENTS

  1. PowerBoat Guide

    The Complete PowerBoat Guide Archives, 1988–2024. With 35 years of PowerBoat Guide content, the Legacy Edition provides critical model information for 3,400 current and out-of-production vessels going back to the early 1980s.

  2. Legacy Edition - PowerBoat Guide

    Created for yacht brokers and marine surveyors, the Legacy Edition is the ultimate PowerBoat Guide resource. (Includes resale values for popular models built since 2005.) Buy Now

  3. The PowerBoat Guide

    The Complete PowerBoat Guide Archives, 1988–2024. A collection of 35 years of PowerBoat Guide content, the Legacy Edition provides important model information for 3,400 current and out-of-production vessels going back to the early 1980s.

  4. About the PowerBoat Guide

    Today’s PowerBoat Guide has become an essential business resource for hundreds of industry professionals around the globe. Looking back, it’s been a great run. With Mark Parker no longer active in the business, the PowerBoat Guide is today produced and edited by Ed McKnew.

  5. Table of Contents, 2020 Broker Edition - PowerBoat Guide

    Review the Table of Contents for the 2019 PowerBoat Guide Broker Edition — over 1,500 motor yachts, trawlers, center consoles, express cruisers and sport fishing boats, 1985–Current.

  6. Table of Contents, Center Console Guide - powerboatguide.com

    Review the Table of Contents for the 2019 PowerBoat Guide Broker Edition — over 1,500 motor yachts, trawlers, center consoles, express cruisers and sport fishing boats, 1985–Current.

  7. Sample Pages from the PowerBoat Guide

    Test-drive the PowerBoat Guide by viewing these six Sample Pages from the 2018 edition.

  8. Frequently Asked Questions - PowerBoat Guide

    Frequently asked questions about the PowerBoat Guide. Learn why some boats are selected and other excluded. Includes info on ordering past editions.

  9. Marine Surveyor Directory - PowerBoat Guide

    Directory listings are free to our customers. Please contact us if you have purchased a PowerBoat Guide (book or download) and we will be happy post your business listing the next time we update our site.

  10. 4 Top Selling Carver Motor Yachts That Are Always in Demand

    Owner and editor of the PowerBoat Guide, Ed is a contributing writer for Denison Yacht Sales. Learn More. Ed McKnew. Carver has been building motor yachts longer than many of today’s yacht brokers have been out of grade school. Beginning with a succession of popular aft cabin models in the 1980s, by the early 2000s the Carver fleet had grown ...