Hi Guys, thanks for allowing me in, hopefully you can help me with my choice of boat...

Little background, we are looking to long term live aboard while cruising the Caribbean starting later this year and are currently based in the UK

We have narrowed our search to two boats, Carver 530 Voyager Pilothouse or a (hope this isn't swearing around here...) Sea Ray 560 Sedan Bridge

There's a lot we like about both boats, but your advice and recommendations are going to be key to our next stage. Nobody in the UK is selling either of these models, so we will need to fly to the US to view them both before deciding. So we want to be fully armed with questions for owners/ brokers and things to look out for on used boats (we are looking at around 1999-2002 models which both fit our price range. The other issue is finding an area which has one of each for sale (so far they are hundreds of miles apart, meaning a mini tour of the USA by plane just to check out boats (ok, so maybe not that much of a hardship...)

Bearing in mind that as a couple this is our new permanent home, there's only so much you can find out from the internet, pictures and video. Real life experience of both brands as you guys have, will be invaluable!

So, flood me with advice please! Why should I choose the Carver over the Sea Ray? Which is actually more comfortable? Are there engine types I should avoid? What inherent issues should I check for? The more info the better!! Obviously we will get a proper survey prior to purchase, but great to be able to ask brokers the right questions to rule out some boats as just not worth it

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to hearing your wisdom

Pete