Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Carver Yachts 38 Super Sport 2013 vs Carver Yachts 43 Super Sport 2012 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Carver Yachts 38 Super Sport 2013 and the Carver Yachts 43 Super Sport 2012 are deep 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 43 Super Sport 2012 measures 43,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Carver Yachts 38 Super Sport 2013 at 39,9 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Carver Yachts 43 Super Sport 2012 tips the scales at 3 365 lbs — 3 340 lbs less than the Carver Yachts 38 Super Sport 2013 at 25 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.
Bottom line: The Carver Yachts 43 Super Sport 2012 at 43,2 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Carver Yachts 38 Super Sport 2013 at 39,9 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeCarver Yachts
MakeCarver Yachts
Model38 Super Sport
Model43 Super Sport
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam13 ft. 5 in. (4.09 m)
Beam13 ft. 11 in. (4.2 m)
Beam - Meters4.09
Beam - Meters4.24
Beam - Inches161
Beam - Inches167
Bridge clearance - Detail14 ft. 1 in. (4.3 m) with arch
Bridge clearance - Detail19 ft. 5 in. (5.9 m) with arch
Bridge clearance - Meters4.29
Bridge clearance - Meters5.92
Bridge clearance - Inches169
Bridge clearance - Inches233
Draft [max] - Detail31.5 in. (0.8 m)
Draft [max] - Detail46 in. (1.17 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.17
Draft [max] - Inches31.5
Draft [max] - Inches46
Weight - Detail25,000 lbs. (11,566 kg) with fuel and water
Weight - Detail33,650 lbs. (15,263 kg) with fuel and water
Weight - kg11339.8
Weight - kg15263.37
Weight - lbs.25
Weight - lbs.3365
Length - Feet39.92
Length - Feet43.17
Length [over all with swim platform]39 ft. 11 in. (12.2 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]43 ft. 2 in. (13.1 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail334 gal. (1,264 kg)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail400 gal. (1,514 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1264.33
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1514.16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal334
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 7 in. (2 m)
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (2 m)
Sleeping capacity4 (5 optional)
Sleeping capacity4 (6 optional)
Water capacity75 gal. (284 l) with inboard engine
Water capacity90 gal. (340 l)
Water heater capacity11 gal. (41.6 l)
Water heater capacity11 gal. (42 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail45 gal. (170 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters170.34
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal45
Holding tank capacity - Gal5