Boat Review by: Richard Crowder
Following the introduction of Carver Yacht’s newest flagship, the C50 Command Bridge at this year’s Miami International Boat Show in February, the C43 Coupe, subject of this review, now becomes the second largest of Carver Yacht’s five model line-up for 2016 consisting of three Command Bridge and two Coupe models; the other Coupe being the C37.
Carver has come a long, long way since 1954 when Charles Carter and George Verhagen began building mahogany-planked, high-speed runabouts in a garage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now after sixty-plus years of boatbuilding, the C43 Coupe is a prime example of today’s Carver and is in essence, a larger version in both layout and in all dimensions from its smaller sister C37 Coupe. What the C43 adds is over four feet in length and almost a full foot in beam. It also adds more standard amenities plus most importantly, a second head compartment for guest or day use leaving the master head as the owner`s private en-suite.
This en-suite master head compartment, located on the port side aft of and accessed from the master stateroom in the bow, features a separate extra large fibreglass shower stall with a clear acrylic door plus an extra large vanity with a huge vessel sink with a glass-tile backsplash. This is one roomy head compartment meant to pamper the owners of the C43 Coupe.
The owners are further pampered in the master stateroom with headroom of six-foot, six-inches plus a feeling of added spaciousness due to the convex upper bow design of the C43 hull. Here a queen size island bed with high-density foam mattress further pampers the occupants. Natural lighting is provided by an overhead screened hatch plus a 5.5”x 36” hull side window on each side. A pair of end tables is standard as are two hanging lockers plus port and starboard overhead storage compartments.
The starboard side mid-cabin guest stateroom offers twin berths that convert into a full size double with the filler cushion, a dressing area with 6-foot, 6-inch headroom, a hanging locker with mirror, locking entry door, plus a hull side window with opening portlight. The guest/day head has entrance doors from both the guest stateroom and the companionway. It has a vanity with storage and vessel sink, electric toilet, hull side window plus an opening portlight.
The salon features a full-length galley on the port side with a six or even eight-seater U-shaped convertible dinette to starboard with built-in storage, and 360-degree surrounding visibility. Carpeted flooring is standard as is an entertainment centre complete with a 32-inch LCD TV with Blu-Ray CD/DVD player and AM/FM stereo. The galley boasts a counter-height, double-door refrigerator/freezer, built-in convection microwave oven, two-burner electric cook top with ventilator, double stainless steel sink with designer faucet, lots of cabinet and drawer storage areas and even more storage within the standard vinyl plank flooring. A wine cooler is optionally available.
Ahead of the galley is a double-wide passenger bench seat while an electrically adjustable double-wide bench seat is provided at the helm. Gone are analog engine gauges replaced with digital LCD displays showing all engine functions plus fuel tank levels and rudder angle indicators. Hydraulic steering is standard as are trim tabs, a bow rail mounted remote control spotlight, an automatic engine room fire suppression system, dual speed controlled intermittent articulated windshield wipers with washers, plus windshield defogging fans. Lots of spare dash space will accommodate your choice of flush mounted navigation electronics.Dual 60-amp battery chargers are standard.
Standard power for the C43 Coupe is a pair of Cummins 6.7L, 380 HP diesel V-drive inboard engines. You can optionally choose the 480 hp diesels. Choose also a Westerbeke or Kohler diesel generator.
The cockpit with its European-style glass doors that open fully to the salon completes the single-level entertaining options and capabilities of the C43 Coupe. A large L-shaped lounge to port with a single cum double seat to starboard, both with high padded backrests, provide ample cockpit seating and lounging. Two transom storage lockers plus two side cockpit lockers will handle your external storage needs. The low-to-the-water large molded swim platform with under-mount swim ladder provides ready water access.
The extensive Carver optional equipment list will allow you to personalize your C43 Coupe precisely to your boating and personal lifestyle requirements. Add Joystick control to your Cummins diesel power, choose bow and stern thrusters, two choices of air/heat units, water and waste monitors, a navigation electronics package, radar mast, ground tackle including an electric windlass, fresh and/or raw water transom washdowns, transom shower, teak cockpit table, carpet, refrigerator or ice maker, cockpit wetbar and grill, seat covers, cockpit sun shade, salon door screen, salon blinds, foredeck sunpad, and extra TV/DVD’s.
“What design innovation looks like” is how Carver Yachts describes its C43 Coupe.
| Length: | 42' | 12.8 m |
| Beam: | 13'10" | 4.21 m |
| Dry weight: | 24,150 lbs | 10,954 kg |
| Draft: | 3'7" | 109 cm |
| Fuel Capacity: | 342 US gals | 1295 L |
| Base Engine / Drive: | Twin Cummins 6.7 L V-Drive | |
| Engine HP: | T-380 | |
| Fuel Type: | Diesel | |
