Timeless Classics – September/October 2026

Cavileer 48 Convertible

By Scott Shane

Cavileer Boatworks was a very viable company that built sturdy, sea-worthy and wonderfully comfortable convertibles in the early 2000s. Owners John and Gigi DiDonato, built three models — a 53-, a 48- and a 43-footer — that were great riding, with quality construction. The 48 was the popular second sibling.

They were another in the line of South Jersey boat builders that, in the heyday of production sportfishermen, had a concept and idea that offered anglers and cruisers another alternative.

In 2007, during my tenure at Yachting magazine, I ran the newly released 48-footer. Here are the highlights of that boat test.

Cavileer Boatworks, while working to create a line of distinctive convertibles, takes a page from cruising yacht design. The philosophy is to build boats that maximize interior space while remaining seaworthy in all conditions. A mission marine architect, Donald Blount, seems to have met when designing the new 48 Convertible.

You’ll not be surprised that I found Hull No. 3 of the 48 line was more than up to the task of besting the 5-knot breeze that whipped the Connecticut River into raging ripples. Upriver, 20 miles north of Long Island Sound, is not a true test for a rugged sportfisherman; however, my time on board reinforced my first impression that the 48 differs from what many anglers might expect.

Her beam is slightly more than 16 feet at its widest, and the taper associated with vessels of similar ilk is missing. In hip-hop terms, this baby got back, with a 13-foot, 10-inch transom that prevents the cockpit from inappropriately dwindling. Even without outriggers, the 48 looks fishy.

She has minimal flare and hardly any flam, the exaggerated flare seen in the uppermost portion of some hulls. Describing the hull as a straight drop from rub rail to boot stripe would be an embellishment, but only a slight one.

That correlates to head sea handling and dryness. Blount reiterated, more than once, that those issues are dealt with below the waterline. If the chine and integral spray rails work according to design, the hull sides are not needed to deflect spray and are not factors in entry. This hull has a 21-degree deadrise amidships that flattens to 12 degrees aft.

The 48 displaces water evenly, and the chine just forward of the deckhouse seems to gently fold the bow wake away from the hull. The builder and designer set out to create a hybrid that retained the distinct qualities made famous by regional builders.

Construction techniques are conventional. The hull bottom is hand-laid solid glass giving way to balsa-core sides, deck and bridge. The saloon sole is built with 2-inch Nidacore, chosen for its strength and insulation qualities.

Belowdecks, the engines are atop steel mounts. They’re positioned farther aft than on the prototype, which did not satisfy Cavileer in terms of handling characteristics and balance. Other changes included increases in rudder size and fuel capacity, from 700 to 750 gallons, housed in a single main and one auxiliary aluminum tank.

Our test boat had a pair of 700 hp Caterpillar C-12s. The 48 glided up on plane to a 32-knot top end. Cruising speed, (Cat recommends 200 rpm off the top; I prefer 300 rpm), in the 25-knot-plus range will be economical and comfortable. Long-distance runners wanting more push might opt for the 800 hp Cats or the 825 hp series 60 Detroit Diesels. I would go that route for the additional responsiveness needed to fight fish, run an inlet or jump out of the hole.

Poking around the engine room is easy, with more than 5 feet of headroom and 2 feet, 8 inches of crawl space outboard of the diesels. The optional emergency pump system is neatly rigged forward of the main engines with a Y-valve for quick use. The raw-water intakes in the same area come without internal sea strainers.

If a catastrophic engine failure occurs, there’s a pattern in place for removal of the saloon sole. The manufacturer prefers this setup for sound reduction in the saloon, where I found decibel levels quite acceptable. The finish was above average. All openings were finished with rubber gaskets, everything was labeled and all clamps were tightened with their fittings in uniform positions. The 10kW Kohler generator was housed here.

Ascending the ladder to the flying bridge and helm, the rear section of the cutout’s overhang is a bit awkward and tight. Girth-challenged skippers might request an adjustment. At the helm, you’ll have a clear line of sight to the bow thanks to a notch in the forward section of the bridge. The layout in this area is typical, with an insulated box for a battery of beverages, a settee with gear stowage and a generous flat surface for electronics.

The 48’s full figure is most evident in her saloon and three staterooms, which are not only voluminous, but tastefully appointed. The teak joinery and fit and finish were clean and on par with competitive convertibles. The saloon layout has an L-shaped settee facing forward, offering a clear view of the entertainment area, galley and dinette. Cavileer is billed as a semi-custom yard and will make modifications for an owner’s needs where possible.

All galley appliances are tucked behind doors and under counters when not in use. Provisions are stowed under the dinette seating and saloon settee, as well as within the custom cabinetry.

The living spaces have 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom. The master cabin is not designed at the mercy of the 48’s bow flare. A washer/dryer is in the starboard guest cabin’s closet, with enough room to use it.

The 163-square-foot cockpit is more than capable of maintaining room for a full complement of anglers. There’s a standard freezer, sink and prep area. Cavileer also provides an in-deck, off-center to portside, fishbox, transom live-well, and transom door.

The lazarette is accessed from a separate deck hatch to starboard, so having 500 pounds of tuna in the box will not restrict reaching the area below in a hurry.

While Cavileer Boatworks production run was relatively short-lived, the boats certainly are not. The molds do live on. If someone wanted to build a brand new one, Jersey Cape Yachts will happily custom build one of their Sport Yachts on that tried-and-true platform.