Builder · Wanchese, North Carolina

Buddy Davis

Photograph · Denison Yacht Sales

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
7
Built between
1987–2002
Names carried
19
Renamed at least once
6

Hulls on recordBy decade, then hull number

  1. 1980s1 hull

    Breakwaterlaunched as Fender Bender · 3 names since 1987HIN DYW47121E787 · 47198747 ft

  2. 1990s3 hulls

    Better Oddslaunched as Reelist Too · 4 names since 1993HIN DYW44105J393 · 44199344.4 ft
  3. Stress Factorlaunched as Patsy B · 3 names since 1996HIN DBF47102F696 · 47199647 ft
  4. Tail WalkerHIN DBF65102J798199864.1 ft

  5. 2000s3 hulls

    My Buddylaunched as Pelagic Magic III · 2 names since 2001HIN DBF45101E101 · 45200146.8 ft
  6. Hook'n Gingerslaunched as Black Tip II · 4 names since 2001HIN DBF61115D101 · 61200161 ft
  7. Turn Me Looselaunched as Tumbleweed · 2 names since 2002HIN DBF70101B202 · 70200270 ft

MediaPhotography, film, print

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