DeFever 49 Pilothouse Just Listed

THIS VESSEL IS FITTED WITH NAIAD HYDRAULIC STABILIZERS,

Arthur DeFever spent his early years designing commercial tuna clippers for the San Diego fleet.
These vessels proved highly reliable and seaworthy. They stayed away from port for weeks at a time,
traveling long distances to Central and South America before returning safely with their catch.
In the early 1960s, Arthur joined the Offshore Cruising Society. At the time, long range cruising in
private yachts was virtually always done in sailboats. His friends suggested that he design a
seaworthy cruising powerboat that would have sufficient range to make the long runs up and down
the Pacific coast into Mexico or Alaska. So Arthur designed several pleasure craft for that
organization in the 38 to 54 foot range. These were deep draft, full-displacement, diesel-powered
vessels that were capable of prolonged Pacific passages in comfort and safety. Many were
constructed of wood at the Lindwall yard in Santa Barbara. Several still cruise the Pacific coast
including PAU HANA II, 1960 vintage, owned by DeFever Cruisers members.
Over the next decade, many of Art's designs were constructed of wood and steel at the Oriental
Boat Company in Japan, and a few of steel in Guyamas, Mexico.
MEERHEIM is a steel 42 footer built in Guyamas
EMILY B is a wooden 50-footer owned by DeFever Cruisers members, currently living aboard, and
cruising the Pacific Coast. Latest sighting was in Peurto Vallarta, Mexico. Arthur DeFever owned,
and cruised, her sister ship, hull#1.
In the 1970s, fiberglass became the preferred hull material for boat building. In many of Art's
designs, single diesel power gave way to twin engines. He made appropriate modifications, but the
characteristic swept sheer, high prow, and displacement hull form were retained. The popular
designs of the past quarter century share a distinctive profile, which is a source of pride for owners.
The DeFever Passagemaker 34,40 and 43, the 44 Offshore Cruiser, 49 Raised Pilothouse, 52 Offshore
Cruiser, and 60 Offshore Cruiser reflect this DeFever profile that yields excellent sea-keeping
capability, interior room and comfort. The Passagemaker 34 and 40 were manufactured at Jensen
Marine in California, while the others were built by CTF in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and more recently, by
POCTA in mainland China.