Boat test for the 2006 Carver 42 Super Sport with boat pictures, boat specifications, and boat test results. Includes pricing, videos, engine test reviews, and ratings for the 2006 Carver 42 Super Sport.

I asked Peterson what had been done from a build standpoint that allowed this boat to be so nimble. "The key," he told me, "was getting her longitudinal center of gravity [LCG] right." This required moving things like fuel and water tanks and the genset as far forward as possible to counter the weight of the engines and drives, which are fully aft. Getting the LCG right also made it easier to fine-tune the turning radius on the adjustable electronic steering for maximum performance. Peterson says the steering can be programmed to react from slow to quick, and because the 42 is a flying-bridge boat, Carver wasn't sure which way would be best. Once engineers realized they could max out wheel sensitivity without excessive heeling or oversteering, they knew everything had come together.

But there's more. The 42's whisper quiet. I measured only 77 dB-A at WOT (65 dB-A is the level of normal conversation), not too surprising when you take into account Carver's engine-room insulation, which includes once-inch-thick laminated foam with dense, sandwiched vinyl and a Mylar outer layer. Combine that with a propulsion system that has less vibration than inboard applications thanks to reduced cavitation (the props always work in clean water), underwater exhaust, and drives that are soft-mounted via O-rings sandwiched between the drive housings and the hull, and this makes for one peaceful boating experience, even at 35 mph.

Sightlines on the flying bridge are clear in all directions at all times.

But while I was impressed with the 42's handling and performance, some things didn't work for me. While the 12-inch-wide side decks eased egress to the foredeck sunpad, upon returning to the 96-square-foot cockpit, I had to twist sideways to get around the flying-bridge overhang and step back down. And the galley countertops are 2'9" high; while this helps make the saloon/galley/dinette one big space and maximizes light from the side windows, it's too low.

Still, the 42 Super Sport has the drive system of the future, which gives it impressive handling and acceleration. But Carver didn't forget about interior space planning. In fact, because the engines and drives are fully aft, they take up less space than a standard inboard configuration. IPS has enabled the builder to expand the guest stateroom, add a second head, and place a washer and dryer under the galley sole, which the original 42 design didn't have. By constructing an IPS boat, Carver has actually provided even more room for cruising families. With an impressive list of standard equipment, a warm cherry interior, and that wicked-cool ride, the 42 Super Sport just might provide a little on-the-water harmony for you and yours.

Carver Yachts
(920) 822-1600

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