DeFever Yachts

Renowned naval architect Arthur DeFever founded DeFever Cruisers in the early 1960s. Arthur began his career designing commercial tuna clippers for the San Diego fleet and building cruising powerboats for the Offshore Cruising Society. Arthur constructed his early boats out of wood and steel before transitioning to fiberglass in the 1970s. Arthur’s designs also made the switch from single diesel power to twin engines. Despite the construction and mechanical advancements, DeFever Crusiers retained their trademark swept sheer, high prow, and displacement hull form. In the 1980s, DeFever customers desired increased speed, resulting in the design of the 51 POC (Performance Offshore Cruiser), followed by the 47 POC, 53 POC, and 57 Cockpit POC. Traditionally designed and built to handle long-range cruising, DeFever cruising boats are admired for their practical layout, graceful lines, sturdy construction, long range, and sea-keeping ability.