The Carver Yachts 564 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2002 vs Carver Yachts Mariner 1997 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 535 hp, the Carver Yachts 564 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2002 has a 185-hp advantage over the Carver Yachts Mariner 1997's 350-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Carver Yachts 564 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2002 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Carver Yachts Mariner 1997 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Carver Yachts 564 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2002 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Carver Yachts 564 Cockpit Motor Yacht 2002 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 56,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Carver Yachts Mariner 1997 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.