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Random Quote: I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.
A question for all you big boat experts out there. We are considering a new 52' Buddy Davis Express. The one we are looking at has the shaft tunnels. We have all heard the horror stories about tunnel boats in a following sea. Is there any one in the HullTruth membership that has had any experience with a Buddy with tunnels? We like the lower draft for our Bahama and Florida Keys trips but the handling issue in following seas are important to us.
Thanks in advance to all that answer and you may do so here or email us at yacht4you2@hotmail.com
Not sure on Davis, but on other tops brands with tunnels I've had no issues in a following sea. If you're considering the 52 Davis I would also look at the Cabo 52 and the Viking 52 Open. The Viking has the mezzanine cockpit and the Cabo is a very big 52. Fit and finish on both is nicer than the Davis (IMHO).
Buddy Davis sold off the company in 2003 to a Dr. Troche a plastic surgeon who owns realestate, transportation company and marina. Just the name remains! He also owns Egg Harbor Yachts, Predator Yachts, Topaz Boats and Revenge Yachts, along with Murray Brothers known for its beautiful helm and fighting chairs.
Not sure if the quality has suffered. They are beautiful boats.
Anyway tunnels usually produce a delayed back down response.
If I was looking into a big express, those two would be the only ones on my list. After seeing many NC boats, I have come to the conclusion, that fit and finish are not their thing. Ride is excellent, but the finish is bad...of course, this is my opinion.
The Cabo seems to be a bigger boat than the Viking, but that mezzanine deck is abolutely awesome. I'd probably go with the Cabo because of speed though.
Considering similar boats. Right now the Viking 52O is the favorite. The mezzanine in the cockpit is a very nice feature and we like the extra beam. I also like the helm layout of the Viking better. The Davis may ride a little better but I can't give personal experience on that yet.
Guys, please understand, fit and finish is an important factor and something that is always considered. But when you fish constantly and numerous tournaments in any type of weather, when most stay in their docks, the ride and how she handles adverse conditions is our number one concern.
__________________
"Experience and quality does make a difference but also makes no excuses"
Atitude is a direct result of either Latitude or Alititude.
I don't think you'd have a problem with either the Cabo or Viking in both looks and ride. Those two are top of the line in whatever they do.
After looking at a few NC sportfish, I was very dissappointed with the finish. The ride is probably awesome, but significantly better (if at all) than either the Cabo or Viking? I highly doubt it. Just my opinion, but have you been trying to get a seatrial on one of the B&D express boats?
Talk to the dealer on both the Cabo and the Viking as well. There are options available that you may nit be aware of (in terms of power, layout, etc.) Also, customer service after the sale is something both brands have long been known for.
The 52 Davis is built by Egg, but the design and mold where from Buddy Davis, I remember reading a boat test of the orginal BD and how they praised the handling and the reduced draft (good for Bahamas). Good luck, sounds like a great pruchase.
Great sea boat, few issues to look at. Starboard shaft has a bad habit of soaking the battery isolator box when trolling. A/c water pump nearly impossible to reach if the motors are even warm. Heat exchangers were really hard to reach as were the alternator belts. Boat takes to a following sea well, much better then the 40 Topaz as I'm sure you know. Can be a bit wet when open and very hot when zipped up, go for a seperate console a/c unit say 30l BTUs or bigger if not its a steam bath.
Thanks Tiara4300
However, we love the way the Topaz takes following seas so I guess we'll be very impressed with the 52' Davis. Also thanks for the headups on the engine room problems. The boat we're considering has double AC units at the helm and better have because it's doubtful that the curtains will ever be down.
__________________
"Experience and quality does make a difference but also makes no excuses"
Atitude is a direct result of either Latitude or Alititude.
52' Buddy Davis Express SportFish
