Vessel History

1990 DeFever 44 Offshore Cruiser – Vessel History

The DeFever 44 Offshore Cruiser is widely recognized as one of the most successful and enduring designs developed by Arthur DeFever, appreciated for its full-displacement hull design, practical layout, and long-range cruising capabilities.

I owned this 1990 DeFever 44 from 1995 through 2005 and, during that period, completed a number of engineering and operational upgrades intended to enhance reliability and ease of maintenance. These included the installation of a custom fuel polishing system, lube oil change system, and other modifications focused on supporting extended cruising use.

In my capacity as a marine engineer and yacht broker with Curtis Stokes & Associates, I have now been retained by the current owners to assist with the sale of the vessel. On May 14, 2026, I traveled to Atlantic Yacht Basin to personally inspect the boat and review its present condition and overall presentation.

Based on my recent inspection, the vessel appears to have benefited from consistent ownership care and ongoing maintenance over the years. Many of the systems, equipment installations, and original features reflect a practical approach toward long-term cruising and upkeep.

The photographs included in this listing are intended to accurately represent the vessel at the time they were taken and are organized to provide a general walkthrough of the boat and its equipment.

This DeFever 44 was originally custom ordered with several features intended to reduce maintenance requirements and improve onboard comfort. These include a painted toe rail, stainless steel stanchions, and stainless handrails throughout most of the vessel, minimizing the amount of exterior varnished wood requiring regular upkeep. The radar arch was also designed with an aft-swept configuration to accommodate a larger one-piece Bimini top over the aft deck area.

The vessel was additionally equipped from new with two generators: a 12-kW generator for primary onboard electrical requirements and a secondary 5-kW generator intended for lighter-duty operation while at anchor, including the ability to operate the aft stateroom air conditioning system without running the larger generator continuously.

This vessel’s ownership history, documented upgrades, and longstanding cruising-oriented configuration speak for themselves.

Mechanical Upgrades & Service

^{All six engine heat exchangers replaced with new cupronickel units from American Diesel}

• Starboard 140-amp alternator rebuilt
• Port 90-amp alternator replaced
• All throttle and shift cables replaced
• Numerous spare pumps onboard
• Macerator pump replaced
• Fuel polishing system installed

Electrical Systems

• New Xantrex 2500-watt inverter installed
• New lead-acid battery bank installed in 2023:
• Eight 6-volt house batteries
• Three engine start batteries
• One windlass battery
• Replaced aft deck light with LED assembly
• Upper anchor light replaced with new hinged unit

Electronics & Navigation

• Garmin GPSMAP 1042 chartplotter installed
• New transducer installed
• Updated VHF/AIS antenna
• New stereo head unit and speakers
• Autopilot control unit professionally repaired

Ground Tackle & Anchoring Equipment

• 33kg Rocna Mk II anchor (approximately two years old)
• Mantus swivel
• 320’ of 3/8” anchor chain
• Additional 33kg Bruce anchor included
• Chain reversed end-for-end and chain locker repainted
• Atlantic Yacht Basin-installed bow snubber attachment point
• New 1” x 30’ anchor snubber with Mantus M3 chain hook
• 3/4” x 25’ bridle

Plumbing & Sanitation

• Original 18-gallon holding tank professionally upgraded to 47 gallons
• Forward toilet replaced with Raritan Sea Era raw-water toilet
• New Raritan Saniflex sanitation hoses installed
• Numerous waste and drain hoses replaced throughout the vessel
• Bilge pumps replaced

Galley & Domestic Equipment

• Stove burners and receptacles replaced
• New Magma grill included 

Deck & Exterior

• Three-sided Bimini enclosure
• Upper deck painted “Blue Ice” during winter season
• Boat kept under covered moorage whenever possible 

Tender & Outboard

• 2019 ZAR 10’ RIB tender
• 2019 Suzuki 20HP outboard
• Less than 75 hours
• Includes spare propeller and mounting hardware 

Hull, Bottom & Running Gear

• Bottom painted Spring 2024 in St. Petersburg, Florida
• Propellers removed and tuned November 2025 in Gulfport, Alabama 

Ownership & Cruising Notes

The current owners purchased “Miss Genny” in 2021 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Since acquisition, the vessel has been continuously maintained with an emphasis on reliability, cruising capability, and preventative maintenance. The boat has primarily been stored under covered moorage when not in active use, including covered slips in both Florida and Chesapeake, Virginia.

“Miss Genny” recently completed both the Great Loop and Bahamas cruising, demonstrating her capability as a proven long-range liveaboard cruiser.

Features / Highlights Summary

• Proven Great Loop and Bahamas cruiser
• Full displacement offshore trawler design
• Twin Ford Lehman diesels
• Dual generators
• Fuel polishing system
• Garmin electronics upgrades
• Extensive sanitation and mechanical updates
• Large upgraded holding tank
• Excellent anchoring package
• Included 2019 ZAR RIB tender with Suzuki outboard
• Covered-slip-kept ownership history
• Numerous recent upgrades and preventative maintenance items completed