Carver 33 yacht Caitlin Marie

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Slide Show

Video from the Blue Angels plane #7 cockpit over Annapolis

Launch in external player Video of the Blue Angels May 2007 from on board "Caitlin Marie" at the mouth of the Severn River, Annapolis, MD

About the Boat

Carver 33 Super Sport Sedan ( same boat is also the Carver 35 SS, 36 SS and 37 SS depending upon the year of manufacture) Hull Identification Number: CDRP2052G506. Generally I have found this to be a well made boat that handles the swells of the Chesapeake Bay pretty well and it does OK in the rolling seas of the Atlantic. Maintaining a steady course is fine except in a following sea, where more frequent course adjustment is required. There are no bow or stern thrusters installed, but docking is relatively easy under light to moderate wind and current. I am impressed by the high quality of the boats electrical wiring, by both the quality (ANCOR's primary boat cable), and size of the wire and the connectors. I went through the boat and found only one bronze thru hull (valve and thru hull for the heat pump raw water feed) that was not bonded to the grounding system. My one complaint is that the pump for the heat pump water feed is a non-self priming pump, and that it is mounted slightly above the water line -- meaning that whenever the boat is lifted out of the water and placed back in, you need to re-prime that difficult to reach pump.

Length Overall (LOA) = 33.5' with an added 5' swim platform for a total of 38.5', Width (Beam) = 13'1", Depth ( draft ) 37", Gross Tonnage: 18, Net Tonnage: 14

Propulsion: Two Crusader marinized 8.1MPI 496 cubic inch gasoline powered engines producing 385 HP each, model number 20-810-02, serial number for port engine: 660061 serial number for starboad engine 660062. Both engines are GM Vortec Big Block multi-port. Crankcase oil capacity each engine 7 quarts. Fresh water cooling system capacity: 33 quarts. Each engine weighs 1200 lbs. Both engines have electronic fuel injection, with mechanical throttle linkage. The Impeller kit for the raw water pumps is Crusader part # RP061022. Replaced impellers in both engines July 2, 2009 with over 400 hours on the engines. The old impellers were intact, but cracked and they needed to be replaced.

Started using SHELL ROTELLA T multigrade oil (15W40) exclusively in the Crusader engines and the Kolhler generator engine. I also add Star Brite StarTron Enzyme Fuel Treatment for the gasoline engines. One 16oz bottle is enough for the 311 gallon capacity gas tanks.

Two ZF Marine V-DRV ZF 63 A-2.5 Transmissions that use DEXRON III fluid

Two Michigan Wheel Nibral 4-bladed Propellers : DQX's, 22"dia x 24 pitch x 1 1/2" bore, one LH, one RH

20 knot cruising speed over ground (SOG) @3400 RPM, 30 knots top end @4400 RPM

Maxwell Freedom RC500 anchor windlass, with controls at the helm and at the bow controlling 125 feet of galvanized steel chain and a Davis 35 pound plow anchor. Rather than install a raw water washdown system to clean the anchor, I simply use a bucket.

7.3 KW Kohler gasoline powered 115V generator ,Serial # 11400381 7.3E-DB1 A-line 06/16/2005, for AC power while cruising, moored, or anchored out. The first most common problem preventing the generator from starting is fouled spark plugs. (2) spark plugs are NGK BPR4ES are replaced semi-annually, because they foul easily and the generator will not start with fouled plugs. The second most common problem that will prevent the Kohler generator from starting is low oil level. If you run the generator for eight or more hours, check the oil level and replenish as necessary. The third most common cause of generator failing to run (it will start, but die shortly after it overheats) is the need for an impeller replacement. The replacement part is a Kohler part #359978 or Sherwood 8000K that runs around $30.00. Replaced the impeller on June 14, 2009 with over 200 hours on the generator. I had to remove the storage locker under the starboard side hatch in the cockpit to access the correct end of the generator (not an easily accomplished task). If the old impeller has broken into pieces, be sure to recover all the pieces before inserting the new impeller. You may have to remove and probe hoses and the heat transfer unit to recover all the pieces. Be sure to soak the new impeller in a dishwashing solution before inserting it into the chamber to properly lubricate it. After replacement of the impeller, good water flow was noted from the generator exhaust port, and no leaks were found around the raw water pump. Prior to the replacement of the impeller there was no water flow through the exhaust port and there should be flow.

Two heated/air-conditioned staterooms with doors and closets. There is a full-size bed (berth) in the master stateroom (forward), and two singles in the second stateroom with a center piece to make it into a full size bed.

Two Marine Air Vector Compact heat pumps for both heating and cooling, 16,000 BTU in the salon, that had me squeeze into the very confined space behind the salon entertainment center too many times. The problem is with the fiberglass insulated flexible hose that runs from the heat pump to the vent into the salon. The hose had previously defied efforts to have it remain mounted on the vent bracket. Originally the hose was tied on with a plastic tie strap, but that only lasted a few months before the hose had fallen off of the vent bracket, and it was hanging inside the entertainment enclosure. In April 2009 I tried a different approach. I gathered duct tape, tie straps and the new addition -- Gorilla glue, for my latest assault on the troublesome hose. After squeezing into the small opening at the bottom of the entertainment center, I coated the top of the hose with Gorilla glue, along with the outside of the rim on the exhaust port, I then pushed the hose onto the port and ran 3 ft. long lengths of duct tape from the top of the port down the hose to hold it in place while the glue sets. So far in February 2010 the hose is still holding tightly to the vent. There is also a 7,000 BTU heat pump unit to heat/cool the staterooms. The heatpumps are individually controlled with Elite Environmental controls.

Fully enclosed bathroom (head) with a full size shower, a JABSCO pushbutton (flush, drain, fill) operated marine electric toilet that uses fresh water, a vanity with stainless steel sink, mirror and a wall mounted closet. Caution regarding the toilet, it will effectively digest only what comes out of your body and the specially made marine/RV toilet paper. It will choke and jam on paper towels, and feminine hygiene products. Please caution your crew about this to prevent underway embarrassment and discomfort.

6 Gallon Galvanized Steel Seaward S600 hot water heater with exhaust heat exchanger and yes there is plenty of hot water for showers.

Hot and cold running water from a flexible shower head in the transom by the swim platform

Full kitchen (galley) with storage space, microwave/coffee maker combination (Kenmore Brew n Wave)/electric stove/ Nova Kool RFU9000 AC/DC 9.1 cubic foot two door upright refrigerator, freezer /a stainless steel sink, and an outdoor MAGMA gas grill. I bought another cheaper brand of stainless steel grill before buying the Magma, and found that the slightest breeze would extinguish the flame on the cheaper grill. The Magma works just fine.

Heated/air-conditioned salon with seating for ten

Flying bridge with the helm and seating for six under a Full Sunbrella acrylic bimini top with Strataglass® windows. They are very clear rollup windows, scratch-resistant press-polished vinyl. They are coated with a polycarbonate that provides up to 100% blockage of UV-A and UV-B rays. To clean the windows I use just water and a soft cloth to remove most of the grime, then I polish the windows with Collinite Insulator Wax 845. Please be cautious and do not use household glass cleaning products on these windows, unless you wish for them to turn dark yellow and become translucent.

Hydraulic steering using a SeaStar I tilt helm model HH5741 and a 9" hydraulic cylinder.

Bennett trim tabs

Tender : A 9'4" West Marine RU-260 sport dingy made by Zodiac of PVC coated polyurethane cloth with a 6hp Mercury fourstroke outboard motor mounted on the swim platform using a Sea Wise Davit System (the best of many davit systems that were considered.)

NOAA registered Category II (manually deployable) 406 MHz satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Bought it from eBay needing a new antenna and battery. Had it serviced at a local Annapolis shop and the cost was still less than buying a new unit.

Lowrance 3500 In-Dash Digital Depth Gauge, with transducer. The gauge works well as a backup to the Raymarine SONAR system.

Raymarine E80 chartplotter with the radar image merged onto the chart, and a Navionics Platinum Chart

Raymarine 4 Kilowatt (kW) high-performance radar, 48 nautical mile range

Raystar 125 GPS Sensor with differential GPS, plus two backup GPS chartplotter systems. I had my first Raystar 125 GPS fail just after the warranty expired (2 years). It was replaced by another Raystar 125.

Raymarine Gyro Stabilized fluxgate compass system, heading sensor. This provides the updated heading information to allow the chartplotter to overlay RADAR information over top of the nautical chart being displayed. This is a very nice feature, but it forces a large amount of data through the NEMA 0183 data feed to the chartplotter. Use caution in regard to repeating all of that data out to other devices that do not require the constant positional updating, like your VHF Marine Radio DSC port. You can restrict the relayed sentences to GPS only, through the chartplotter (see the chartplotter manual) by selecting only RMC, CGA and GLL sentences to pass through.

Raymarine E66056 Airmar B744/HS bronze thru-hull SONAR Transducer

Raymarine DSM300, 1000 Watt "Black Box" Digital Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) with HD Digital Technology

Helm mounted Ritchie FN-203 Navigator magnetic compass

Helm mounted ICOM M602 (main) and M504 (backup) fixed marine VHF radios with Global Positioning System (GPS) fed Registered Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and a remote radio control in the salon

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI): 367125710 that was assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

FCC Recreational Ship Radio Callsign: WDD3097

twin horns producing 123db mounted forward of the flying bridge replaced the orginal single horn.

30 watt hailer/automatic fog horn mounted forward controlled from the Icom M504 VHF radio

20 inch flat screen TV in salon with remote. In late 2009 I added a digital television converter box, and now we are able to see about 15 clear channels now, while only four snowy analog channels were seen previously.

Clarion marine stereo CMD4 AM/FM radio with CD player and 120 watt Clarion SRV303 powered subwoofer

DVD player

78 gallon polyethylene resin fresh water tank. To fill the tank, I connected two GE whole house water filters in series, the first one with a 5 micron string filter and the second one with a 2 micron carbon filter. I try to keep the tank about half full.

35 gallon polyethylene resin holding tank

Two 151 gallon gasoline tanks made by Flordia Marine Tanks from 5052 Aluminum. 5052 is one of the higher strength non-heat-treatable alloys. It has a high fatigue strength and is a good choice for structures subjected to excessive vibration. The alloy has excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in marine atmospheres.

Three installed ITT Rule bilge pumps with float switches, one 500 Gallons per hour (GPH) and two 1500 GPH pumps. One ITT Rule 3700 GPH pump as a backup.

Four CO Sentinel Carbon Monoxide Marine Detectors and alarms by FireBoy - Xintex: one is each stateroom, one in the salon and one on the flying bridge

One smoke and fire detector mounted on the overhead in the galley

Fireboy engine shutdown system with an automatic FE-241 (Chlorotetrafluoroethane) fire suppression tank in the engine room

USCG approved life vests including sizes for infant (1), child (2), adults over 90 lbs (11) and XXL (5), one inflatable type V life vest, plus two throwable life saving rings, and multiple type IV life preserver cushions. Safety flares, whistles, flare gun, and lights -- also throwable man-overboard lines and multiple ladders.

USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check. Free Vessel Safety Check
modified V planing hull that achieves plane @ 2800 rpm, cruise at 3400-3800 rpm, (4400 rpm Wide Open Throttle)

Three Marine VHF antennas and one 2 meter antenna: main radio (8ft), backup radio(3ft), AIS receiver(3ft), APRS system 2 meter 5/8 wave antenna.

Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) using a Kenwood TH-D7A(G) data radio using callsign wb3v-6.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) Milltech Smartradio SR161 AIS receiver

SCUBA dive tank rack, on the transom, for two aluminum 80 tanks holding 80 cubic feet of NITROX at 3000 pounds per square inch and one steel 135 tank filled with NITROX. SSI Diving certifications for open water, NITROX diving, deep diving, night and low visibility diving, underwater navigation and a PADI aquarium diving Certification.

United States Coast Guard Documented boat 1187404

For shore power connections: two 50 foot electrical cables for 30 amp 115V outlets. I use Marinco electrical cables, connectors and adaptors - they stand behind their excellent products. The electrical system has two 115V circuits, each with 20 amp breakers, one for the "house" (lights, outlets, TV), and the other for the two heat pump systems. To reduce underwater corrosion, there is a Prosafe ONE galvanic isolator connected to the Green wires coming from the shore power cables.

The internal 12V system has two maintenance free group 31 starting batteries (one for each engine), A Deka DC31DT deep cycle marine/RV battery was installed in April 2009 to replace a failing, leaking less than 2 year old Exide Nautilus battery. This "house" battery is for lighting, refrigerator/freezer, helm instuments, marine radios and the TV, CD and entertainment system. There is a separate group 31 (59lb. wet) marine deep cycle battery to start the Kohler 7.3Kw electric generator. It turns out that the generator battery is also made by Deka (it looks identical to the DC31DT), but I bought it with the "West Marine" name at about twice the price of the Deka battery (live and learn). There are two Charles battery chargers, a 60 amp charger for the "house" and the two starting batteries, a 120 Amp battery isolater, and a seperate 10 amp charger for the generator battery.

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