TGWhite,
All the components of the steering are in good shape. I replaced the suspect tie rod end due to it's probable damage during installation. I can't be sure the manufacturer was responsible for the damaged bolt head on the tie rod end, but if so it was a matter of poor quality control rather than poor materials. The replacement is of a slightly different design, the cost to manufacture probably being no more or less than the original.
Not sure I agree with you on the quality of a Carver, but from I've learned since I've bought the boat, it compares in quality pretty much with the Sea Rays, Cruisers and Mainships that were of the same vintage. Carver did not however use balsa or plywood as a core below the waterline like Cruiser did.
If you are implying Carver went out of business because of poor quality, I think I can safely disagree with you on that. The economic climate had everything to do with their undoing. Unlike Sea Ray, Carver did not mass produce trailer boats with much wider appeal that*undoubtedly*had much to do with Sea Rays survival.