Arthur DeFever earned the title "godfather of the trawler yacht" by taking the rugged DNA of long-range commercial tuna clippers — vessels built to cross oceans and stay at sea for weeks — and translating it into a private passagemaker. Decades later, the DeFever Euro 52 stands as the modern expression of that legacy: a purpose-built, long-range cruiser with a craftsman-style fit & finish, loaded with offshore systems, and sized perfectly for two to four people to live aboard comfortably from the Great Loop to the Bahamas and beyond. 

Unlike semi-custom builds that come and go, the DeFever has a committed owners association (DeFever Cruisers), a proven lineage, and a market that holds value. The Euro model combines the classic DeFever seakeeping credentials with modern interior design and semi-displacement performance — cruising efficiently at 8 knots. This is the boat serious cruisers choose when they're ready to stop compromising between comfort and capability.

Boon Docks is a rare example of this model. Specially built as Seattle Yachts show room model. She includes an enhanced Galley with upgraded appliances, a full size refrigerator and expanded counter space. Her Twin John Deere engines have LOW hours and she is truly in 'turn-key' condition for her next owners - with a comprehensive offshore equipment package (including StarLink) already aboard. 

The Hull & Deck

The Euro 52 is built on a solid, hand-laid fiberglass semi-displacement hull with a full keel protecting the underwater running gear — a DeFever trademark carried down from the offshore commercial tradition. The signature DeFever Portuguese bridge and molded Euro transom with swim platform give the boat its instantly recognizable profile.

Power, Performance & Handling

Twin John Deere 6068AFM85 330HP diesel engines with a mere 1450 hours are backed by ZF280-1A transmissions. At 1,500 RPM you're moving at a comfortable 8+ knots; push to WOT and she’ll make 12. NAIAD Dynamics active stabilizers make passage-making in a beam sea dramatically more comfortable. Side-Power bow and stern thrusters and Proportional Yacht Controller with wireless remote give one person complete docking control from outside the helm station. With 1,070 gallons of diesel aboard, she has an exceptional 1100 mile range.

• Twin John Deere 6068AFM85 330HP diesel engines — 1450 hours

• ZF280-1A transmissions

• PSS dripless shaft seals

• Four-bladed bronze alloy propellers, 2.25" stainless shafts

• Cast bronze rudders

• Side-Power Bow and Stern thrusters

• Proportional Yacht Controller wireless remote

• NAIAD Dynamics active stabilizers (fully serviced in 2024)

• Teleflex hydraulic steering, dual stations

• Maxwell HWC2500 - Horizontal windlass with capstan

- Groco Oil Change System

- Work bench and Vice station located in the engine room

Electronics & Navigation

(Updated in 2022) : Dual Furuno NavNet TZT chartplotters | Furuno NavPilot autopilot | FLIR night vision camera | Icom IC-M506 VHF | Furuno depth sounders at both helm stations | AIS.

• Dual Furuno TZT NavNet chart plotters (updated in 2022)

• Furuno NavPilot autopilot

• FLIR night vision

• Icom IC-M506 VHF

• Furuno RD-33 depth sounders

- AIS

- STIDD Captains Chairs located at both helms

- StarLink Satellite WiFi

- 4 Black Oak UW lights (dual color Blue / White)

- Maxwell HWC2500 horizontal windlass with capstan

Electrical

“Boondocks” is equipped to be self-sufficient far from a dock. A Westerbeke 12.5kW diesel generator (650 hours) handles heavy loads, while a Victron MultiPlus 3,000W inverter provides AC power at anchor without running the generator. Lifeline AGM deep-cycle battery banks for the inverter, generator, bow and stern thrusters are each supported by their own dedicated Victron charger. Dual Shore power: 50-amp/250VAC, provide hookup locations from the Bow and Stern. The 39-circuit DC panel and 19-circuit AC panel are fully labeled. A Siren Marine System keeps you connected while you're away from the boat -- Monitor Systems and get Critical Alerts and Messages sent to your cellphone.

Tanks & Systems

• 1,070-gallon fuel capacity w/ sight lines (4 tanks : Two Aft 370 gallon, Two Forward 165 gallon) provide an 1100 mile range

• 350-gallon fresh water capacity

• 50-gallon holding tank

• Blue Water Desalination Legend Modular watermaker

• Seaward 20-gallon hot water heater

Interior

The 16-foot beam — one of the defining characteristics of the Euro 52 — is put to excellent use below decks.

The salon features an L-shaped settee, wooden dinette table to port, and a built-in entertainment center with retractable television to starboard. Forward, the galley is outfitted with a Force 10 three-burner LPG stove and oven, Sharp stainless convection microwave, Summit refrigerator/freezer, Broan Elite trash compactor, and a double stainless sink with garbage disposal — a galley spec that rivals a shore kitchen.

The master stateroom sits forward of the salon, accessed by six steps down, with a queen berth and built-in wooden cabinetry. The en suite master head includes a Dometic electric-flush MSD and a separate stand-up shower enclosure. The forward stateroom provides twin berths and its own private head with separate shower — genuinely independent accommodations for guests or crew. The flybridge features a double door setup, great for pets and changing weather conditions. Three Dometic Marine AC units provide perfect climate control for the interior.

Galley Equipment

“Boondocks” was built for Seattle Yachts as their show room model and she is equipped with an enhanced galley, larger counter space and upgraded appliances (including full size standup refrigerator).

• Force 10 three-burner LPG stove and oven

• Sharp Carousel stainless convection microwave

• Summit refrigerator/freezer

• Broan Elite trash compactor

• Double stainless steel sink with garbage disposal

Flybridge

A full second helm station with captain's chair and wrap-around white upholstered bench seating makes the flybridge the preferred place to spend a day underway. A wetbar with freshwater sink and ice maker is built into the starboard side. A stainless pipe bimini with blue canvas provides shade. A remotely operated searchlight on the flybridge handles night navigation.

• Full second helm station

• Wet-bar with freshwater sink and ice maker (new 2026)

• Stainless bimini top

• Remotely operated searchlight

- Marquipt 1000 lb Hydraulic Davit with 104" boom and standpipe (new 2022)

- 4 Person Inflatable Life Raft