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I know someone who is a mate on a 48 BD Express. He has told me the thing is super wet (which i don't understand), and rides like cr@p in following seas. But when the seas get nasty and you're heading into it, the boat is great.
Aside from that, I've been told by others that the overall craftsmanship of the boat is so-so. I, too, was once interested in the 48 Express, but I changed my mind quickly.
Again, don't quote me on this, I'm just passing on what someone told me.
Its to much money, its close to Rybo money but it is the same if not lower quality of a mass production Cabo. I have only rode on one in a calm sea (1-2ft) and it was an ok ride, it seemed dry but I can't judge it from that trip. It’s loud and vibrates too much for a boat of its cost. Overall it’s overpriced and its only show piece is here little underwater lights. If you can afford this boat, I would talk to Rybovich of go and look a Cabos and Tiaras.
__________________ Aston Martin
Power, Beauty, Soul
Gulf Coast Exotics
99' 05' 07' Range Rovers, 2001 Aston Martin DB-7
21ft Yellow Southeren Skimmer 70hp Four Stroke
3100 Tiara express with diesels
The 47 Davis was the cat's meow in its day and had a great reputation for ride and raising fish. I had a friend that had one before stepping up and I still can't get over how much boat was packed into a 48'. This boat was very popular in the '80s and gave the Bertram, Hatt, and Post boys a major run for their money. Remember this is a real Carolina boat and performs awesome in the ruff stuff and with the 8-92s these are legendary billfish raisers.
Its to much money, its close to Rybo money but it is the same if not lower quality of a mass production Cabo. I have only rode on one in a calm sea (1-2ft) and it was an ok ride, it seemed dry but I can't judge it from that trip. It’s loud and vibrates too much for a boat of its cost. Overall it’s overpriced and its only show piece is here little underwater lights. If you can afford this boat, I would talk to Rybovich of go and look a Cabos and Tiaras.
It seems that at this size, a used Hatteras or Viking would be the better choice.
I have feel they are over rated and at one time over priced.. As was already stated, a Viking, Hatteras or Bertram of the same vintage is a much better boat, with a better resale history.
As one post already stated they were an exceptional boat in its day, some early models flexed a bit causing early tranny failures, but not something to worry about in todays DB. If completely redone it is certainly worth a test drive, they could sure eat up a head sea.
Not very fast and love to suck down diesel. The prices of these boats make them attractive.
I agree. I've never been a fan of the ride or the amount of interior volume thats lost because of the design of the bow, but it seems like they are a great buy. The advantage of the older 47 over its bertram/hatteras/viking counterparts is that it doesn't look outdated (assuming your a fan of the carolina look).
I brought one up from Florida last summer. It was a 1987 with the 8-92s. The engines were tired at 650 HP, some one along the line tried to boost the power by putting on bigger turbo's and injectors. If you were willing to push the engines you could get 25kts out of it but I don't think the engines would last. In a head sea the boat rode great but it was a bit tricky with a big following sea trying to go slow. Solid fiberglass hull and the boat weighs about 45000 lbs. We ran at 18 kts most of the trip burning about 45 gallons an hour. I found the station wagon effect of diesel fumes a pain. Old design, solid boat does very well performance wise with a pair of 800 horse Cats.
Delivered one from SC to Port Canaveral, Fl. and then filled in running tuna charters for a year. One word, SLOW! 80 mile runs to and from the otherside were painfully slow. The boat was comfortable and a great fishing platform. Burned 45-55 gph depending on "speed". I think they have had thier day and to buy one and make it perform to what is expected compared to today's sportfishers would be cost prohibitive. If you fish out of a place such as South Florida, The Keys or an island where the run to the fishing grounds is under 20 miles then this would make a nice statement at the dock and work great for fishing.
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
I brought one up from Florida last summer. It was a 1987 with the 8-92s. The engines were tired at 650 HP, some one along the line tried to boost the power by putting on bigger turbo's and injectors. If you were willing to push the engines you could get 25kts out of it but I don't think the engines would last. In a head sea the boat rode great but it was a bit tricky with a big following sea trying to go slow. Solid fiberglass hull and the boat weighs about 45000 lbs. We ran at 18 kts most of the trip burning about 45 gallons an hour. I found the station wagon effect of diesel fumes a pain. Old design, solid boat does very well performance wise with a pair of 800 horse Cats.
This is the most accurate post regarding this boat, I believe the 47 of that vintage was their run at making a production boat, it has a reputation of being a pig, not to be compared to a custom Buddy Davis (not fiberglass)...
Have not been on the 47 but have been on the 52, which is a stretch version of the 47...literally 5' added to the stern with the house stretched to make it proportional. Based on what others have said about the 47, I think the 52 elimated a couple of the 47 negatives...including the following sea issue and the diesel fume blowback. They were made between 1994 and 2000 or so I believe. I think the new hull also improved performance....w 800 cats delivering an easy 25kt cruise @ approx 1/2nm per gal. There are a few out there that might be had for what you would pay for an older 47 + upgrade. You might want to think about that as an option. Good luck.
Its to much money, its close to Rybo money but it is the same if not lower quality of a mass production Cabo. I have only rode on one in a calm sea (1-2ft) and it was an ok ride, it seemed dry but I can't judge it from that trip. It’s loud and vibrates too much for a boat of its cost. Overall it’s overpriced and its only show piece is here little underwater lights. If you can afford this boat, I would talk to Rybovich of go and look a Cabos and Tiaras.
It seems that at this size, a used Hatteras or Viking would be the better choice.
Rybovich starts at about $4,000,000.
I got it confused with the new 48ft express they make, mind me, I am a blithering idiot.
__________________ Aston Martin
Power, Beauty, Soul
Gulf Coast Exotics
99' 05' 07' Range Rovers, 2001 Aston Martin DB-7
21ft Yellow Southeren Skimmer 70hp Four Stroke
3100 Tiara express with diesels
BUDDY DAVIS 47 
