When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Carver Yachts 36 Mariner 2010 and the Carver Yachts 56 Voyager 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Carver Yachts 56 Voyager 2009 measures 59,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 22,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Carver Yachts 36 Mariner 2010 at 36,6 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Carver Yachts 56 Voyager 2009 tips the scales at 525 lbs — 330 lbs less than the Carver Yachts 36 Mariner 2010 at 195 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Carver Yachts 56 Voyager 2009 tops out at 715 hp. Engine specs for the Carver Yachts 36 Mariner 2010 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Carver Yachts 36 Mariner 2010 carries 25 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Carver Yachts 56 Voyager 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.