During my latest visit to the Buddy Davis factory in Wanchese, N.C., we got a break in the overcast skies that had threatened to keep us from getting aerial photography of the builder's new 45 Express. This boat is the one that company Chairman Buddy Davis says has the best ride of any model he's ever built.

We started the morning running out North Carolina's notorious Oregon Inlet with a helicopter flying overhead taking action photographs of the blue-hulled 45 at cruising speed. The big rudders and power-assisted hydraulic steering made this Buddy Davis an exceptionally nimble boat to maneuver. And the steering (two-and-one half turns from lock to lock) made it easy to quickly change direction, both in forward gear and while backing up. The agility of the boat while using the proper combination of rudders and gear shifters would also make it easy to dock in close quarters.

When we completed the photography session, we made our way offshore and south toward "the Point," where a series of tight bathymetric contour lines dimple deeply into the curve of the 100-fathom drop-off. Some of the local charter boats had already caught their limit of tasty yellowfin tuna, so it was with high hopes that we set out the spread of ballyhoo and one spreader bar of rubber squid.

The bridge deck on the Buddy Davis 45 is higher than normal. For that reason, visibility both astern and forward was superior to that of most other express boats. The varnished control pod at the helm was very attractive, and the steering wheel and control levers were easy to reach from a seated and/or standing position. There was a complete electronics package in the molded electronics console at the helm. I thought it was excellent, but the builder says the package will be modified to allow for the installation of more sophisticated radar and chartplotter units, both with larger screens. I was impressed by the quality of the readout from the B&G HS200's bottom machine. The Buddy Davis flushmount system for the fishfinder's transducer provided a clean picture of the bottom contours, even at cruising speed and at depths approaching and exceeding 100 fathoms.

On the bridge deck aft of the helm and under the hardtop, there are two large L-shaped settees where anglers and crew can go to get out of the sun or rain and watch the baits. Under the padded seats is adequate storage space for a full complement of rods and reels.

Most of the fleet had left the inlet before we did, so the tuna bite had slowed to almost nothing by the time we arrived offshore. We saw a few bonitos breaking the surface, but the tuna eluded us. Capt. Tyler Fraser, who likes to fish hard, told me they had crushed them earlier in the week. I didn't doubt the new Buddy Davis 45's ability to raise fish. The wake looked good at our seven-knot trolling speed, but even at a low idle setting, the 45 could make six knots. I would definitely plan on having the optional trolling gears for any kind of live-bait fishing or slow trolling for bluefin tuna or king mackerel.

An express boat doesn't have a flybridge, so if you want a better view of the baits while trolling, you go to the tower. I live in a tower when fishing with my own charter parties, yet the tower was the one feature on this particular boat that I found disappointing. It didn't have the electronics equipment most of us now feel is obligatory on the tower station of a fishing boat (although Buddy Davis does offer an optional package). You have to leave the tower and go to the bridge deck to view the fishfinder and GPS/chartplotter. In additional, the teasers were controlled by electric reels mounted in molded recesses in the hardtop. There was no way to set or retrieve the te4asers from the tower.

Constructed by Pipe Welders, this tower didn't offer a secure place to brace oneself in heavy seas without being beaten up by an unpadded aluminum pipe. To see an angler in the fighting chair from the tower, I had to stick my head between a padded seat and a backrest, assuming a position like that adopted by early New England criminals in the stocks. On future boats, Buddy Davis and the prospective buyer should provide more input to the tower builder.

The cockpit is large, clean and functional with padded coaming all around. The transom lacked the traditional Carolina fish box, which will be available as an option, but it did have a large insulated fish box under the cockpit deck. Above deck and outboard of the steps to the express deck was a lighted live well and a top-loading freezer. Tackle trays built into the back of the bridge deck settee could be accessed from above the freezer and live well lids.

A small weather front generated a fresh breeze and raised a shortly spaced four-foot chop on our way home. Even with an extreme head-down setting on the trim tabs, we stayed dry and never pounded, even with the bow raised as high as possible.

The test boat was powered by a pair of 700-hp Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines. The Buddy Davis responded well once the power came on, but the diesels were slow out of the hole - they didn't have the low-end torque I prefer when a fast move is required to fight a fish. Response lagged until rpm built up enough to supply turbo boost. On the positive side, the engines were practically smoke-free.

Express boats are primarily day boats. For those who wish to stay aboard overnight, however, the Buddy Davis 45 has a large, comfortable master stateroom in the forepeak with air conditioning. Forward, there's a queen-sized island berth with three large drawers at its base and a large linen storage area under the bunk itself. There are nightstands to port and starboard at the head of the berth and a cedar-lined hanging locker at the foot of the berth, to port. There's a private entrance to the head and shower located aft and to starboard.

Sleeping Beauties
Farther aft, in the salon, is a comfortable settee to port with storage underneath. This settee also functions as a single berth. Above it is a rod storage locker that converts to an optional pullman-style berth - it folds down from the hullside and is suspended from the overhead. The Buddy Davis 45 is available with an optional interior layout that specifies a second stateroom in the area where this Pullman is located. The stateroom features stacked berths and a hanging locker. If you order this layout, you'll have a less spacious salon.

Aft of the head and showers is an L-shaped dinette with storage underneath a seat and a dining table. Opposite is a galley with an under-counter refrigerator, two-burner ceramic stovetop, stainless steel sink and Corian countertops.

Out in the cockpit, steps to the helm fold up for engin-room access. In the engine room, there is standing room for any angler not playing in the NBA and excellent access to even the tops of the engines. The generator is not as easy to service, but Buddy Davis plans to rectify that on future boats.

The Buddy Davis 45 is hand laid-up in new molds that were designed for maximum strength and simplicity, with as many gel-coated surfaces as possible for easy cleaning and maintenance. Strength and simplicity, along with agility, are good words to use in describing this boat.

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