Design Innovation
Retro styling and large windows are just two highlights of the Carver C43. One of a trio of Coupes in the Carver range, the C43 is all about design innovation.
The second coupe that Carver has unveiled in the last couple of years, the C43 continues the design theme the manufacturer started with the C37 in 2014. However the twins have just become triplets, with the launching of the all-new C52 at the Ft Lauderdale Boat Show in November 2017.
One of the first things you notice about the boat when you step aboard is that there are no blurred lines between outdoor and indoor spaces. The C43 Coupe boasts a broad, single-level saloon with over 2m of headroom, which becomes part of a seamless indoor/outdoor living space when the glass cockpit doors are open.
The C43’s helm design looks efficient and comfortable with side-by-side seating for the captain and a friend. There’s an angled footrest and the forward third of the seats fold up so the captain has a choice of driving positions. The joystick and trim tab controls are to port with the engine controls and key switches to starboard. A raised panel at eye level contains the engine display and has room for optional navigational equipment such as a Raymarine E120 chartplotter.
Large windows and narrow mullions provide for a minimally obstructed view. Across from the helm to port, a doublewide lounge faces forward so the passengers can enjoy the scenery as well. The helm lounge and portside seat both have large lockers in the base, which is a plus because a boat can never have enough storage. Overhead is a retractable sunroof, that offers both shade and extra sun into the saloon and helm area.
Abaft the helm, to starboard, the U-shaped lounge and ottoman offer comfortable seating for the family and friends around a high-low table that converts to an extra sleeping spot with a filler cushion. There is storage in the lounge’s base. With the sunroof open a person snoozing in this area could sleep under the stars. For evening illumination there are eight LED lights in the overhead and an entertainment centre includes a 32” LED television CD/DVD player and AM/FM stereo.
Directly across from the saloon lounge, the C43’s galley is efficiently laid out along the port side. Vinyl plank flooring means anything dropped can be easily wiped up. Again, thanks to the large side windows, the chef will have plenty of light beaming into the galley and a great view of the surroundings. After sunset, five LED lights illuminate the area and there’s a GFI protected outlet in the galley. The appliance list includes a Novacool refrigerator, convection/microwave oven and a two-burner cooktop. There’s also a full-size stainless-steel sink set into a solid surface countertop.
Generous Accommodation
You descend a few steps between the helm and navigator’s lounge and enter the C43’s master stateroom in the boat’s bow. There are small nightstands on each side of the island queen berth plus good storage space in eye-level compartments on each side and in dual hanging lockers. A deck hatch overhead and side windows let in ample natural light.
Twin single berths that convert to a full-size sleeping area provide versatile accommodations in the C43’s guest quarters. The berths are positioned fore and aft in the cabin, which is on the starboard side of the boat. There is a single hanging locker, with illumination and a mirror and eye-level storage. A long hull side window provides natural light.
Because there are only two staterooms on the boat, each one has its own de facto private head compartment. The master head is en suite in the stateroom, while occupants of the guest cabin have to leave the quarters to enter the day head. The master head has a separate stand-up stall shower with an exhaust fan plus a Raritan electric toilet. In both heads, two windows open to let in fresh air and light. In the day head, the shower is a pull-up with a curtain.
The Great Outdoors
For those who like to relax in the fresh air, the C43’s cockpit has an L-shaped lounge to port with a single seat to starboard. There are storage lockers on each side of the cockpit with additional space beneath the lounge cushions. Engine compartment access is via a hinged cockpit floor hatch with a gas cylinder strut.
To starboard, a stainless-steel gate opens to a pair of steps that lead down to the swim platform. There is a telescopic boarding ladder installed in the recessed area of the swim platform.
Carver builds the C43 with hand laid fiberglass and infused epoxy resin using the vacuum infusion process for strength and lightness. The hull bottom beneath the waterline is bead blasted to create a better bonding surface for anti-fouling paint. Fiberglass stringers are used throughout the boat and bulkheads are cut from wood or high-pressure laminates depending on the application. The cabin top structure is supported with integral aluminum trusses.
Power and Performance
The C43 is only available with V-drive diesels from Cummins, either a pair of the QSB-6.7/380hp or you can upsize to the 480hp version of the same engine. Performance and fuel efficiency are excellent, especially with the smaller 380hp engines, with a top speed of 32.6 knots and a total fuel consumption of 185.5 lph or 5.7 lpnm. Based on 90% of the fuel capacity you would have a range of around 200nm.
We found the most optimal cruise was around 2300-2500 rpm, which really increases the distance and decreases the fuel use. If you are into leisurely mooching around the bay then drop the speed back to around 7.5 knots and the fuel efficiency increases dramatically to less than 13 lph and the range to 650nm plus.
Each engine is equipped with a Hydralift muffler and underwater exhaust port. The engines link to four-blade Nibral propellers with Aquamet 1 ¾” diameter stainless steel propeller shafts with self-aligning Tides marine SureSeal shaft logs. The C43 comes standard with Teleflex Seastar steering and Bennett trim tabs.
Without pods you might expect the dockside manoeuvring might be in question. Not so. Well that’s assuming you order the optional bow thruster. Couple this to either the joystick-enabled Carver Docking System, which integrates control of the marine gears with bow and stern thrusters, or Cummins own Inboard Joystick System, which does the same thing but with Cummins-supplied components and it’s a breeze!
Another advantage of pods has been the ability to get more useable accommodation space, something that is equally possible with the V-drive configuration. However Carver have chosen to use that space for extra storage The space is massive, although some of it is taken up with a single air handler on the starboard side. This is a place you might like to add a wine cooler, washer/dryer or maybe a dive compressor.
There is a big list of options available for the C43, from generators to icemakers. It’s up to you how you want to equipe your boat.
Observations
For many fans of Carver’s well-known practicality, the styling of the C43 and the other boats in the new series is a welcome upgrade. With the cockpit, saloon, galley and helm all on one level, the boat is laid out well for entertaining and cruising and the large windows and sunroof enhance the open feel. The minimal number of steps on board will appeal to an aging baby-boomer crowd. The availability of joystick controls with inboard engines will also make the boat attractive to a skipper who is comfortable with this type of propulsion system.
- Boat Design Name: Carver C43
- Year Launched: 2016
- Builder: Carver
- Interior Designer: Carver
- LOA: 12.8m
- Beam: 4.21m
- Draft: 1.09m
- Displ (Dry): 10954 kg
- Max Speed: 33 knots +
- Construction: GRP
- Fuel Cap: 1295 litres
- Water Cap: 495 litres
- Engines Make: 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 @ 380hp
- Drive Train: Shafts
- Propellers: 4 ld Nibral
- Anchor Winch: Prince
- Contact: www.sportsmarine.com
FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA | ||||
Carver C43 / 2 X CUMMINS QSB 480HP | ||||
Fuel capacity: | 1300 | litres |
| |
rpm | knots | L / h | L / NM | Range (NM) |
1000 | 7.4 | 12.8 | 1.8 | 650 |
1500 | 9.8 | 37.5 | 3.9 | 300 |
2000 | 15.2 | 70.8 | 4.7 | 240 |
2500 | 22.4 | 102 | 4.6 | 250 |
3000 | 29.3 | 146.3 | 5.0 | 230 |
3500 | 32.6 | 185.5 | 5.7 | 200 |
