Buddy Davis 47
By Pete Barrett
When Buddy Davis docked his new 47-foot sportfisherman at the Annapolis Boat Show back in 1983, he created a buzz in the fishing world that still reverberates today. Many boaters had never seen a Carolina fishing boat before that day so the wide, flared bow was astonishing.
“She sure is pretty,” was heard repeatedly all through the show and the Buddy Davis 47 not only raised the bar for mid-size sportfishing boats, for many avid offshore anglers and captains, she was the perfect blend of size, speed and fishing capabilities backed up with an amazing ride that pushed through tough seas. Buddy built 88 semi-custom Davis 47s and they are still much in demand, especially by knowledgeable blue-water anglers looking to upgrade and renovate a time- and fish-tested hull.
It was only natural, therefore, when Anthony Vaccaro, sales manager at White Water Marine in Shinnecock, N.Y., was shopping for a new sportfish boat for his canyon and family fishing, that the Davis 47 was at the top of his list.
“Because of our long-range canyon runs and typical rough weather, the Buddy Davis stood alone,” he said, “and I liked the awesome bow flare and deep bow entry,” he said.
In 2011 he purchased hull No. 11, the former Islander based in Manteo, N.C., and originally built in 1986. In 2012, working with the master craftsmen at Ocean Innovations, he began an extensive refurbishing project that finished off with a better-than-new Davis 47. The basic hull was sound as a dollar and after cosmetic fiberglass work and shimmering new paintwork, the “new” Miss White Water was christened in time for the 2013 season.
Beneath a new hardtop and aluminum work created by Tri-State Tower, the front panel of the helm was raised to accommodate a complete electronics package that included a Furuno 3D radar and color scope with a 1,000-watt transducer to punch down deep to read fish and bait, a Garmin chart plotter and night vision capability. A pair of new helm chairs provided comfortable seating while new Rupp outriggers not only look sharp with their silver triple spreaders, but they are capable of handling every size bait and lure for yellowfin to giant bluefin. An aluminum rocket launcher across the aft edge of the flybridge has enough rod holders to hold an arsenal of tackle.
“You have to be ready for anything: trolling, chunking and jigging, and the rods and reels are all ready for instant use, including light stuff for dolphin,” Anthony says. In the cockpit, a huge below-deck fish box capable of holding an amazing 1,500 pounds of ice was added.
The original Davis interiors were nice and comfortable, but not exceptional in decor. Vaccaro changed that with decorating and styling input from his wife, Emily. She coordinated granite countertops, new carpets and upholstery that complemented some gorgeous teak work. An entire teak log was purchased from Roberts Ply Wood so all the teak grain on the interior panels matches perfectly. For safety and convenience, cabin entry is now through a new air-touch pneumatic door that avoids mashed fingers — a nice touch for the crew in rough seas and for the family.
Miss White Water was previously repowered in 2001 with a pair of powerful and exceptionally reliable 800-hp 4208 CATs replacing the original, but tired, Detroits. She went from a 22-knot cruise to a peppy 26- to 27-knot cruise speed, and she’ll hit 31 to 32 knots at wide-open throttle.
Anthony fishes hard at the eastern canyons, like Veaches and Atlantis, and hunts for giants off Nantucket and Hyannis in the fall. In between canyon trips he fishes for sharks –- his son Anthony Jr. had already caught his first mako at age 5 – and he also fishes inshore at wrecks and on the good fluke grounds off Shinnecock. Family time is essential to the Vaccaro family and Anthony and Julie make sure they all enjoy their days on the water. At 4 years of age, Gavin was catching snappers at the dock and now has sights on fishing offshore with his older brother, mom and dad.
Buddy Davis passed away in 2011 having gone from mate to captain to boat builder and almost single-handedly popularized Carolina boats to fishermen outside the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Buddy Davis 47 was one of his most beloved designs and is truly a “Timeless Classic” still fishing on the world’s best fishing grounds through the efforts of fishermen like Anthony Vaccaro and his family, who keep the flame lit for future generations. Although the 47 is no longer in production, Buddy Davis Yachts are now built in Egg Harbor City, N.J., and in several models from 48 to 70 feet.
