Named Carson R. Davis Jr., but known as Buddy, Davis spent his life onboard boats. He officially started work onboard as a teenager. His decades of experience and skill as both a builder and a fisherman translated into more than 350 boats. All of which have met the needs of anglers of every level since 1973.
Working at Davis Boat Works, later known as Davis Yachts, expert craftsmen built center consoles and sportfishing yachts. These yachts have been engineered for increased speed, comfort, and safety with an eye toward solid, lightweight construction.
In 2003, the owner of Egg Harbor Yachts, Predator, and Topaz acquired the assets of Buddy Davis Yachts.
A native of Manteo, N.C., Davis died on January 17, 2011, at his home in Marathon, Florida after a lengthy illness. He was born on May 7, 1948, and died at the age of 62. The Dare County Boat Builders Foundation in North Carolina established the Buddy Davis Scholarship fund to honor his impact on the Carolina-style sportfishing boat and to help future maritime students.
Buddy Davis Boats Models (28 ft – 78 ft)
- Buddy Davis 28 ft Center Console: The powerful Davis 28 Center Console is a capable boat for serious fishermen. This entry-level model comes complete with wrap-around coaming, rod holders, storage for tackle, a live well, and a fish box. This 28 CC is topped off with exceptional deck space for the size.
- Buddy Davis 34 Center Console: The Davis 34 Center Console is known for a dry ride with superior buoyancy. In Davis style, the deep-V hull offers easy fishing in the most challenging of sea conditions. Every angler’s need is met for a successful day on the water with rod and tackle storage, a live well, and a fish box. Being a Davis, the 34 CC features wrap-around coaming and the ability to keep the crew cool and clean with the 34’s stand-up head, complete with a sink and hand-held shower.
- Buddy Davis 42 Center Console: The Davis 42 Center Console features the Davis designs but builds on the 28 and 34 models. The new design includes an added custom deck, helm station, starboard dive door, and grab rails. This expanded version offers a large helm station and adds comfort with a head, a galley, a dinette, and a berth. For the fisherman on deck, there is an anchor locker and a seawater washdown, and the rods are stored below the gunnel. From the tackle storage station, the catch can be stowed in the large fish box forward of the lounge seat. Two additional under-deck fish boxes are aft. Complete with a macerator pump out and large livewell built into the stern seats in the transom. The helm includes a triple seat and the forward seating folds down for increased versatility on both port and starboard. The forward-facing lounge seat has even more storage for the crew with several recessed storage lockers, including a fender box aft. Navigation and other electronics are secured from the elements in a box on the hardtop. Guests stay hydrated and fed with the custom refrigerator/freezer, sink with a saltwater wash down, and built-in cutting board. The Davis 42 Center Console comes equipped with many standard options. Some include a diesel generator, air conditioning, the triple helm chair, an electric grill, and integrated seating. Stock power on this model is the triple 350 horsepower Yamaha engines. There is the option to upgrade to quad 300 hp or 350 hp Yamaha engines. Other customization options include fishing tower additions, a choice of hull color, a stabilizing Seakeeper, and other fishing options. The 42 Center Console uses a resin-infused fiberglass design.
- Buddy Davis 48 Express: The Davis 48 Express keeps the crew dry with the renowned Carolina flare of the bow. This helps dispel water even in 6-foot seas at 30 knots. Power steering adds to the smooth and safe ride in almost any condition. And an elevated helm station increases visibility for anglers out for success. The Buddy Davis 48 Express was designed with input from naval architect Donald L. Blount. The ample space in the cockpit keeps up to four fishermen in action with even more room for a mate onboard. The non-skid on the large, clear foredeck frees up even more real estate for anglers’ lines and easy anchoring. Abundant space in the engine room is accessed through the bridge deck stairs and six feet of headroom under the elevated helm make for easy service of all systems on board. Added engine power options can get you to the reef at speeds of over 37 knots.
- Buddy Davis 52 Express: The 52 Express optimizes years of Buddy Davis expertise for a wider and lighter model in the manufacturer’s line. Perfect for overnighters and longer adventures, the 52 includes two large staterooms and two heads onboard. Excellent visibility from the centerline helm adds to safety while underway and docking. Space-saving L-shaped settees are just aft of the helm for the crew to join the fun and adventure. The serious angler will enjoy the built-in bait well, a fish box, and a freezer. Standard features include a stainless steering wheel, Murray Brothers ladder-back helm chairs, Corian countertops, EuroKera cooktops, Nova Kool under-counter refrigerators/freezers, Sharp microwave ovens, Sharp and Panasonic flat-panel TVs, and more. Custom upgrades available include PipeWelders aluminum tower with a fiberglass hardtop, Cruisair fish box, livewell refrigeration, teak decks, and more
- Buddy Davis 58 Express: The striking Davis 58 Express hull takes Buddy Davis features up a notch with a bit more reverse angle chine, impressive bow, and hull entry for an over-the-top dry and stable ride at even faster speeds. The angler’s command center, the cockpit, is also pumped up with space for two console freezers, a fish kill box on the transom, and a full offset fishing chair. Power steering, single-level controls, and 2,700 horsepower make for a smooth ride with the 58 Express.
- Buddy Davis 52 Sportfisherman: The 52 Sportfisherman incorporates the best of Buddy Davis fishing expertise with a flybridge, a centerline helm, a fish box, a baitwell, and a freezer; plus plenty of room for six guests or crew. Navigation and electronics are kept dry and secure in a custom electronics enclosure. Although excellent for the angler on deck, the Buddy Davis 52 Sportfisherman can also accommodate those on board for extended trips with three efficiently designed staterooms. A master stateroom is amidships with a double berth, hanging locker, vanity, and a private head with a separate shower. Two more staterooms share a large head with a stall shower. Both the forward and starboard guest staterooms have two berths each. An available design option moves the master stateroom forward and situates the guest staterooms to port and starboard. More space-saving designs place the refrigerator and freezer under the counter with the dinette next to the salon and galley.
- Buddy Davis 58 Sportfisherman: Taking all of the best of the Buddy Davis 52 and adding even more features and space, the 58 Sportfisherman meets every angler’s needs with comfort, safety, and Davis style. Shallow draft tunnels are an available option for those aiming for optimized safety underway.
- Buddy Davis 70 Sportfisherman: Topping out the Buddy Davis line in length, the 70 Sport Fisherman optimizes a solid fiberglass design for ultimate strength. Whether angling for the most challenging fishing or entertaining off-shore. And advanced composite materials are integrated into interior and deck construction for a solid vessel with an even lighter weight.
