346 Carver Motor Yacht

Source: Power & Motoryacht Magazine

The all-new 346 is Carver’s 2002 adaptation of its highly popular line of aft-cabin motoryachts. On the 346 you have two full-sized staterooms on opposite ends of the vessel for the ultimate in privacy for two couples or a family of four.

Key Features

The 346 features Carver’s soon-to-be-famous raised walkway design, which permits use of the entire beam of the boat in the main saloon while still providing excellent access to the fore deck from the bridge or aft deck. This two-stateroom, two-head yacht includes a fully equipped galley, command bridge with wetbar, and 35-square-foot swim platform that’s integral with the hull.

With a relatively low center of gravity, the 346 Motoryacht provides a secure and stable ride underway while at the same time offering excellent visibility, even aft while docking. For us it was a pleasure to test this new yacht and to see how aft-cabin designs have progressed over the past 10 years. Back in 1990 I conducted a long-term test of the ever-popular 32 Aft Cabin, and when you look at the lines of today’s 346 you can see how Carver’s designers have greatly sleekened the design while still offering all the amenities you’re looking for in an aft-cabin motoryacht design.

Particularly noteworthy is the light and space you get in the main saloon. This is thanks to two tiers of exterior windows, and an L-shaped lounge to port and loveseat to starboard create a relaxing living room for up to five adults in ultraleather comfort. The 346 is also easy to walk around, with a spacious aft deck and two-step access up to the command bridge.

Performance was respectable at 33.7mph top end, and we’d expect to see a similar top speed even if you go for the smaller-hp diesel options. The new Merc 8.1S gas inboards did a great job of popping her up on plane in just 8.4 seconds, but consumed nearly all the real estate in the engine room which is located directly beneath the saloon floor. Fortunately, all dipsticks and fills are located inboard for easy access, and while her range at best cruise is somewhat limited at just 122 miles at best cruise, that still provides more than 5 hours of running time between fillups of her 196-gallon fuel tankage.

Carver 346 Motoryacht Test Result Highlights

• Top speed for the Carver 346 Motoryacht is 33.7 mph (54.2 kph), burning 57.4 gallons per hour (gph) or 217.26 liters per hour (lph).
• Best cruise for the Carver 346 Motoryacht is 25.1 MPH (40.4 kph), and the boat gets 0.69 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.29 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 122 miles (196.34 kilometers).
• Tested power is 2 x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon.

The 346 features a spacious salon.

The salon features Ultraleather Flexsteel furniture including a love seat and lounge with storage beneath each. (Shown with available stereo and 6-disc CD changer.)

Royal treatment with this master suite.

The master stateroom offers a double island berth, lots of storage space, an available TV/VCR, plus a private head compartment with stall shower.

Guests will appreciate this roomy stateroom.

The forward stateroom has a double berth and ample storage, including two hanging lockers.

Boat Specification: 346 Carver Motor Yacht

Length Overall                        36’11”

Dry Weight                 21,800 lbs.

Beam                           13’2”

Fuel Cap                      196 gal.

Draft                           2’4”

Water Cap                   70 gal.

Deadrise/Transom       N/A

Bridge Clearance        14’4”

Max Headroom           6’3”

Std. Power                  2×315-hp Volvo Penta 5.7L GXi gas inboards

Tested Power

2 x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon This is the big-gun in the MerCruiser line of recreational powerplants. It’s designed to put real performance into mid-size express cruisers. …

Opt. Power

2×370-hp MerCruiser 8.1s Horizon gas inboards
2x MerCruiser MX 6.2L MPI gas inboards
Volvo Penta gas to 357-hp, Cummins diesels to 330-hp