The Secret
Looking for the perfect type of boat to cruise the Pacific Northwest?
Having previously owned a DeFever 44 in which we completed the Great Loop, we wanted to experience the Pacific Northwest from Washington to Alaska. We loved our DeFever 44 but realized the elevated indoor pilothouse of the 49 Raised Pilothouse would afford us better visibility and more protection from the cool and rain the Pacific Northwest can throw at its cruisers. With this in mind, we purchased The Secret in the fall of 2020.
Typical of this vintage of DeFever RPH boats, The Secret had dry rot problems on the dinghy deck along both sides and the stern, as well as the front edge of the brow. All known dry rot repairs were made by Thomas Boat Repair, one of the most respected repair facilities in Seattle, at a cost of just over $50K. Due to the quality of work done on The Secret, two other 49’ RPH DeFevers have had similar repairs done there.
Unfortunately for us, after only 2 years of ownership and extensive repairs and upgrades, we have decided our boat ownership days are over. The Secret is now on the market for sale by owner.
The Secret is a 1980 “A” model with a centerline bed in the main stateroom and access to the engine room through a hatch in the galley and a second access from the aft deck through the lazarette. This well-equipped boat will be sold with many amenities, tools, and supplies. Load your clothes and food on board and you’ll be ready to cruise.
Click below to watch the walk-through video (more pictures below).
Equipment overview:
Twin Ford Lehman 120 HP engines with Velvet drive transmissions
800 gallons of fuel, cruises at 8 mph with about 3 gal/hr fuel burn
12.5 KW Onan diesel generator in sound cover
Magnum ME2512 inverter/charger with remote in the salon
New Force 10 water heater
Webasto heater (rebuilt 2022)
Garman chart plotter, 2 Garman GPS units, and computer-driven Nobeltec navigation
ComNav autopilot, ICOM radar, 2 remote control flood lights, 2 VHF radios
Custom wall-hugger dual recliner couch with long-wearing faux leather fabric
Custom built-in couch with new cushions, complete with huge storage underneath
Galley has a microwave, toaster oven, ice maker, 2 stacking refrigerators, 6-shelf pantry
5 cubic ft freezer on the aft deck
Washer/dryer in lazarette
Decks recently painted with Tuff Coat, a rubberized non-slip paint
Sufficient tool supply to handle most projects
Many engine-replacement parts and other basic supplies
11’ fiberglass Barefooter center co
nsole dinghy with18HP Tohatsu motor
Clean bottom – docked in freshwater the majority of the last 5 years
For more information, including a detailed list of equipment and pictures from the 9/20 survey, see The Secret Equipment List.
Price: $183,500
Please contact us via email (Tom@CanyonMinistries.com) or call Tom at (602) 312-5798 for further information and schedule a viewing.
