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Random Quote: Civilization Stops at the shore line
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
I just took delivery of a new 48' custom express and we built it without tunnels. Tunnels will save you approx. 6" in draft but if they're not right your performance will suffer. Before Buddy went bankrupt last time I heard that every tunnel he built was slightly different - i.e. perhaps he never did get it right ???
Good luck - I'm sure whatever you decide to do will be 'perfect'.
If done correctly, tunnels decrease draft and the angle of the shafts, thus leading to increased efficiency (less thrust in a downward fashion). If tunnels are not done correctly, they can be very troublesome. Insist that your agreement to purchase is subject to a satisfactory sea trial and pick the right (or wrong, depending on your outlook) day or days to do it. Also, insist on a survey contingency - best if you can have the surveyor monitor construction as it progresses. Good luck. I am jealous!
When you say you are getting a 52' Buddy Davis; Are you speaking about the 52' Davis which Egg Harbour produces these days??? Buddy Davis sold his name 'Davis' to Egg Harbour which is why they now build the Davis express lines, I believe a 48 and 52. But Buddy Davis now builds the B&D Edition this includes a 28' CC a 34' CC a 60' SF and a 68' SF he will eventually be building a 45' Express and 39' Cuddy Cabin and a 54' Express. Now if its the Buddy Davis (B&D) of Wanchese, NC which you are purchasing, or a pre-owned Buddy Davis before 2004 or so; I will assure you you will not lose any sort of ride in rough seas whether you have pockets or not. The ride head on is stunning and down seas is there fore even better. They are great riding boats and he perfected this over years of research and boat building as well as working with the architects he has, some are even naval architects. Now if it is an Egg Harbour, I cannot help you to much about that as I am not too knowledgable enough about those boats.
With all due respect, make sure you take a look at another boat before. I went to see a highly respected NC builder, and the finish was horrible. Good luck.
Thank you all for your imput. The difference between B&D and Davis (Egg Harbor) is understood. The big question is if they bought the molds, are they achieving the same results as Davis did or have they screwed them up any. Would be great to here from a Davis 52' owner.
__________________ "Experience and quality does make a difference but also makes no excuses"
Atitude is a direct result of either Latitude or Alititude.
Call Hopkins Carter and ask for Ozzie. If memory serves me right, he told me he was a mate on a 48' Buddy Express. It's the Hopkins Carter in Coconut Grove, FL. Super nice guy. He's there in the mornings.
Thank you all for your imput. The difference between B&D and Davis (Egg Harbor) is understood. The big question is if they bought the molds, are they achieving the same results as Davis did or have they screwed them up any. Would be great to here from a Davis 52' owner.
They cannot be the same boats molds, look at them the new ones have cocpit gunwales that are like 4.5 ft out of the water, you could never even get your hand wet. The sides are also much more slab sided looking. Im not a fan, although the old ones thats another story. I dont have any real experience on them, just a show gawker.
52' Buddy Davis Express SportFish 
