Photograph · Denison Yacht Sales

Builder · Wanchese, North Carolina

Buddy Davis

Buddy Davis went to sea as a mate at thirteen, fished under Capt. Omie Tillett, and started Davis Boatworks in Manteo in the winter of 1973, moving the shed to Wanchese the next year. He built plank-on-frame, then cold-molded, then from 1983 molded fiberglass, more than 350 boats in all, and is credited with taking the Carolina flare to the wider world. He sold the company in 2003 to a New Jersey firm that kept building under his name in Egg Harbor City. He died in 2011.

Hulls on record
12
Built between
1986–2002
Names carried
29
Renamed at least once
10

Hulls on recordBy decade, then hull number

  1. 1980s2 hulls

    My Island LadyHIN DYW47106L5861986
  2. Breakwaterlaunched as Fender Bender · 3 names since 1987HIN DYW47121E787 · 471987

  3. 1990s5 hulls

    Jus Billslaunched as Our Buddy · 2 names since 1990HIN DYW47175D0901990
  4. Better Oddslaunched as Reelist Too · 4 names since 1993HIN DYW44105J393 · 441993
  5. Nauti Norwegianlaunched as Bill Collector · 2 names since 1993HIN DYW61134H2931993
  6. Stress Factorlaunched as Patsy B · 3 names since 1996HIN DBF47102F696 · 471996
  7. Tail WalkerHIN DBF65102J7981998

  8. 2000s5 hulls

    Tara Jessicalaunched as Grand' Pez · 2 names since 2000HIN DBF50107H0002000
  9. My Buddylaunched as Pelagic Magic III · 2 names since 2001HIN DBF45101E101 · 452001
  10. Hook'n Gingerslaunched as Black Tip II · 4 names since 2001HIN DBF61115D101 · 612001
  11. Pile Driverlaunched as Pullin' Wire · 3 names since 2002HIN DBF61116K1022002
  12. Turn Me Looselaunched as Tumbleweed · 2 names since 2002HIN DBF70101B202 · 702002

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