DeFever 49 Pilothouse (Hard Chine)

The DeFever 49 is based on the Alaskan series of wooden pilothouse yachts designed by Arthur DeFever in the 1960s for Grand Banks. Built by the Sen Koh yard in Taiwan on a semi-displacement hull with hard aft chines and a long prop-protecting keel, the raised pilothouse lines of the DeFever 49 have been copied by several builders over the years. With her prominent bow and covered side decks, the DeFever’s two-stateroom interior is ideal for the cruising couple. The salon is comfortable if not spacious, and the galley boasts a large pantry in addition to lots of counter space. Six steps up, the pilothouse includes an L-shaped settee and port/starboard deck access doors. Directly beneath the pilothouse is a spacious full-beam master stateroom with tremendous storage and private ensuite head. The guest stateroom with over/under berths is forward. Handcrafted teak cabinetry dominates the interior. In 1985, however, much of the high-maintenance exterior teak was eliminated. Twin Lehman 135hp diesels cruise at 7–8 knots. Over 60 are reported to have been built. A similar DeFever 49 Pilothouse model with the flybridge behind the raised pilothouse has a lower profile and a soft-chined hull.