Presented by
Gulf Coast Team
2002 DeFever 53' (16.15 m) Raised Pilothouse Trawler
Clear Lake Shores, Texas, United States
Sea Pearl
This DeFever 53 is a clean, updated classic with a proven seaworthy hull and rich teak joinery. Three staterooms, two heads, and a true pilothouse deliver the perfect platform for the Great Loop or effortless island cruising.
- Trawlers / Pilothouse
- Power
- Used
- Diesel
- Fiberglass Hull
- HIN/IMO: CTF53164I102
| FEATURES: |
|---|
| (4) Marine Air A/C Units & Northern Lights 12KW Generator |
| Side Power Bow Thruster & Naiad Roll Stabilizers |
| Magnum Energy Solar Controller & (3) 380W Solar Panels |
| Splendide Combo Washer/Dryer, Water Maker & Ice Maker |
| Marine Starlink |
| Notable Upgrades: MANY Updates done between 2018 and 2026! See Full Specs for Details! |
| Date Listed: 06/09/2026 |
Description
THIS IS A PRELIMINARY LISTING, Pictures are June 2026. Video coming.
Perfect Fuel Efficiency with the dependability of bullet proof John Deere Diesels.
THIS BOAT HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES IN EQUIPMENT AND GEAR IN THE PAST 2.5 YEARS OVER $200K+ SPENT IN:
- Full engine services
- New electronics including all new black plexus instrument panels at boat helm including an enlarged custom fiberglass electronic console on the flybridge
- New A/C's
- Extensive wiring and battery upgrades to lithium batteries
This is an extremely well done and upgraded Defever 53. The owners were planning to leave on a cruise and consequently just about every system was looked at, gone thru and extensively redone or updated.
She shows extremely well inside and out.
Murray Yacht Sales is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Little Yacht Sales. It is offered as a convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a particular vessel
Specifications
HIN/IMO: CTF53164I102
Official Number: 1143126
LOA: 53' 6'' (16.31 Meters)
Type: Power- Used
Year: 2002
Beam: 15'
LWL: 46'
Draft Max: 5' 8''
Cabins: 3
Heads: 2
Fuel Type: Diesel
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Hull Shape: Displacement
Fuel Tank: 720 Gallons (2725.5 Liters)
Fresh Water: 400 Gallons (1514.16 Liters)
Displacement: 65000 lbs
Photos click to view all
Engines
Engine 1
- Engine Make: John Deere
- Engine Model: 6.8
- Engine Year: 2002
- Engine Type: Inboard
- Drive Type: Direct
- Power HP: 225.00
- Power KW: 167.78
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Hours: 7048.00
- Hours Date: 06-10-2026
- Engine Location: Port
Engine 2
- Engine Make: John Deere
- Engine Model: 6.8
- Engine Year: 2002
- Engine Type: Inboard
- Drive Type: Direct
- Power HP: 225.00
- Power KW: 167.78
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Hours: 6919.00
- Hours Date: 06-10-2026
- Engine Location: Starboard
Full Details
Updates Since 2023
Flybridge
- Helm station customized and updated
- New custom fitted helm station cover
- New cushion upholstery on flybridge seating
- New custom fitted cover for seating area
- New grill
- New custom sunbrella shade cover for over flybridge open area
- New removable tender chocks (flush mount, when removed reveals an open deck free of chock hardware.)
- New winch motor in davit (new spare winch motor stored in v birth storage)
- New dyneema davit lines and tender harness
- Flybridge rail modified for easier tender deployment/retrieval
- Custom black sunbrella skirting safety/privacy surrounding flybridge railing
- Custom sheath for isenglass enclosure
- New VHF late 2025
- Both VHF antennas replaced late 2025
Exterior
- Bow - New cushion upholstery
- Bow - New custom fitted seating/cushion cover
- All teak sanded, stained, several coats late 2025
- All windows/openings/hatches re caulked late 2025
Pilot house
- Extensive customization to helm station
- New Dometic HVAC early 2026
- New ice maker late 2025
Salon
- New Dometic HVAC early 2026
- New refrigerator early 2026
- New inductive stove top mid 2025
- New Splendid washer/dryer all in one unit 2025
Cabins
- 2 new Dometic HVAC 2024
General
- Waste hoses/lines vents replaced 2025
- Both engines serviced (Heads off inspected, valves speced, intercoolers inspected/cleaned, coolant flush/change, oil, etc 2026
- Updated music/speakers/amps cockpit, salon, master, flybridge
- New hot water heater 2025
Electric
- House batteries converted to lithium 2024
- Charger, inverter, solar charger, etc all converted to Victron when house batteries were upgraded to lithium
- High output alternator
- Start and bow thruster batteries new 2024/2025
Updates Done Between 2018 and 2023
- New upgraded five blade bow thruster propellers
- Two new Garmin 4" GMI20 Displays on fly bridge
- New Garmin VHF 210 radio on fly bridge
- New granite counters, sinks and faucets in bathrooms
- New Garmin 4" GMI20 display in pilot house
- Installed new 120 amp high output alternator on each engine
- New bus bars throughout engine room
- Installed new transom underwater lights
- New 400’ 3/8 galvanized anchor chain
- New Lebroc helm chair on fly bridge
- New Magnum gas grill
- Replaced fuel lines and water lines both engines
- New Magnum house bank inverter
- New barrier coat on bottom 2021 (done again in 2024)
- Installed 1200 watt solar panels and controller
- New generator battery New LED running lights
- New galvanized Rocna 121lb bow anchor
- New white leather sofa in salon
- Installed two new deck boxes on fore deck
- Two new Stressless electric leather recliners in salon
- New raw water pumps and spares for engines and generator
- New Seawater Pro 40 gal/hr water maker
- New Racor closed crankcase vent system on both engines
- 2018 New cutlass bearings Remove and balance shafts and props
- 10 New life jackets
Accommodations
The main salon features a leather couch to stb and two custom easy chairs to port creating a warm and inviting living space. The salon/galley area has custom roll down blinds. Aft, the covered deck offers an FRP hardtop and comfortable deck furniture for outdoor relaxation. The flybridge has access via the pilothouse and and aft deck ladder and includes an upper helm station, full electronics, and an FRP hardtop, with a spacious aft deck equipped with a davit crane for tender handling.
Below, the forward cabin offers two bunk‑style berths with hanging‑locker storage, adjacent to an enclosed head with a 12V toilet. A second separate guest stateroom provides two additional berths and ample locker space. The master stateroom features a centerline queen berth, generous storage, and a private head with a freshwater 12V toilet and separate shower stall.
The pilothouse includes a well‑equipped helm station, electronics suite, and electrical load panels, along with a fixed table and bench seating just aft.
The salon, galley, pilothouse includes
- Curtains on all salon windows
- Splendid 110v washer/ dryer combo
- Uline ice maker
- Intellivision Satellite TV System with Salon 43" Samsung LED TV, 32" Toshiba LED TV (in the master) & 19" Insignia LED TV (in a guest stateroom)
Galley
The spacious U‑shaped galley opens directly to the main salon, creating an ideal workspace for liveaboards, extended cruising, or relaxed weekend trips. A long stretch of countertop and a raised serving bar make meal prep and entertaining effortless. Abundant storage and full‑size appliances give the onboard chef everything needed to prepare gourmet meals with ease.
- New Summit stainless 110V commercial‑grade refrigerator/freezer
- Breville stainless 110V inverter/microwave oven
- New Z-Line 24in Induction Cooktop, 4 Burner, including installation and custom fabrication done in 2024
- New Hot water heater in 2025
- Replace Icemaker in pilothouse 2025
- Washer dryer combo is under the serving bar
Electronics
Interior Navigation
- All new Garmin Electronics in 2024 VHF in 2025
- Kobelt electronic engine controls
- Vesper Marine AIS Watchmate Transponder model MX850
- MOFI Networks 5G modem/router model MOFI5500-5GXeLTE
- YeoLink security system with remote monitoring
- Garmin In-Reach explorer+ satellite communicator
- Cobra handheld VHF model HH500
- Richie marine compass
Flybridge Navigation Electronics
- All new Garmin Electronics in 2024 VHF in 2025
- Naiad Stabilizer remote
- Garmin GHP20 autopilot controller
- Garmin 210 VHF radio
Entertainment
- Intellivision Satellite TV system:
- 43” Samsung LED TV
- 32” Toshiba LED TV
- 19” Insignia LED TV
- Marine Starlink with Antenna mounted securely/correctly
Mid 2024 there was an extensive refit of the electronics and all the cosmetic panel housing electronics, engines, stabilizers were replaced.
Upper Helm:
· Custom built fiberglass upper helm display with acrylic front with new wire chases under helm.
· All wiring to and upper and lower helm electronics.
· Tie up all wiring for hardtop and electronics.
· Replace all lighting control switches and connectors at upper helm.
Lower Helm:
· Lower helm new acrylic panels.
· Install all accessories, switches and labels.
· Create new acrylic template for lower helm stabilizer control.
Miscellaneous:
· Install mast head camera and replace all engine room and lazarette cameras with Garmin GC14's.
· Remove headliners in master strm and salon.
· Fabricate and install speaker mounts in master, salon and lower helm.
· Fabricate teak speaker bezels and varnish. Install bezels and speakers.
· Replace stbd VHF antenna wiring from antenna to AIS, and AIS to VHF at lower helm.
· Fabricate backing and install sides of lower helm.
· Fabricate all trim for lower helm and install.
· Port side helm horizontal surface install matte black laminate.
· Replace outlets with dual USB outlets.
· Fabricate new outlet standoffs from solid teak and varnish.
· Mask and beauty-ring upper helm gauge and switch box.
New Electronics installed at this time were:
· Garmin Reactor 40 Autopilot w/GHC50 Display Unused
· Axis P7304 Video Encoder
· Garmin GHC50 Autopilot Dislplay
· Garmin 9-Axis Autopilot Heading Sensor
· Garmin J1939 Cable for GPSMAP 8600
· Garmin GMS10 Network Port Expander
· Garmin GC14 Marine Camera
Additional Equipment and Electrical
- (4) Air conditioning units, Marine Air system (New 2025-2026)
- (2) 12v freshwater, electric Raritan marine heads (New between 2018-2023)
- (1) 110v 20 gallon hot water heater (New 2025)
- (2) Shurflo 12v pressure water pumps
- Maxwell 1800 anchor windlass
- Gulf Coast fuel polishing system
- Naiad 12v roll stabilizers
- Side Power bow thruster
- One 12v oil change pump
- Three windshield wipers
- Hynautic hydraulic steering system
- Three 380W solar panels
- Bower systems 800lb hydraulic crane
- Cablemaster shore power retraction system
Lithium Battery System installed in 2024:
· 4ea Victron 200Ah Superpacks
· 8D Bow Thruster Battery
· 1ea Zues Alternator Regulator
· 2- 500A Shunts for Regulator
· 1ea Victron Orion 50A DC-DC Charger
· 1ea Lifeline 8D AGM Battery
· Victron Lynx Distributor
Extensive rewiring of the ship’s wiring systems was done in 2024/2025 including:
· Replace Eng and Gen Battery Charger with Victron Smart IP43 12V 50A Charger
· Install Victron system
· Pull new ground wires.
· Change inverter charger wiring @ AC panel –Install transfer switch & rewire
· Find & separate all neutrals on the boat, pull new neutral to engine room
· Replace stbd. alternator with Balmar 170A - run new 4/0 positive & negative cable from alternator buss, regulator wiring, wire & fusing
· Smart battery protect
· Digital multi control 200GX 1
· MultiPlus 120V VE. Bus 1
· Smartshunt 500A/50MV
· Smart battery protect 12/24V 220A breaker 200A
· SmartSolar MPPT 150/70
· Victron Cerbo GX Communications hub
· Victron GX touch 70 display
· VE direct to USB interface
· Phoenix Smart IP43 charger 50A
Engine room /Lazerette
Power is provided by twin John Deere 225 hp PowerTech 6.8L marine diesels (6068 series) with approximately 7,000 hours and a documented maintenance history. These engines share their core architecture with John Deere's legendary industrial and agricultural diesels — the same PowerTech block found in tractors, generators, and commercial equipment worldwide — and have earned a reputation for exceptional longevity. Built with replaceable wet cylinder liners and valve seats, they are engineered to be rebuilt to original specification rather than replaced, routinely delivering many thousands of trouble-free hours. Documented owner accounts of the 6.8L in marine service exceed 10,000 hours with no major overhaul, and with continued care these engines are widely regarded as capable of well beyond their current hours. At roughly 7,000 carefully maintained hours, this pair has substantial service life remaining.
Engine room access is via the aft lazarette or the floor in the galley. The aft lazarette is accessed via an aft deck hatch and has enormous storage capacity for all your extras and spares. There is a door into the engine room also from there.
Engine room is clean, tidy and has extensive updates done to it.
Extensive Mechanical work done recently:
- Service PRT & STB main engines,
- R&R lube oil filter, primary fuel filters,sec. fuel filters,
- R&R raw after impellers,
- Replace PRT raw water hose from pump to formed hard piping,
- Replace hardware bolt's on STB raw waterpump cover,
- Replace zincs PRT & STB transmission,
- Pull rocker covers PRT & STB main engine, check overhead int. exchange, adjust valve train,
- R&R raw water circuit zinc's scope, inspect cooler, flush cooling system after boat is splashed,
- Service gen-set, R&R lube oil filter, primary fuel Racor 500, sec. fuel filter, check coolant,
Recent Bottom Work
- Barrier coat before bottom job, with prop speed done in 2025.
- Cutlass bearings props balanced etc beginning of 2026.
- Rudder boxes serviced 2026.
Rudder work - started out replacing packing in glands, ended up doing all of the below while out of the water as preventative:
- Drop and Repack Both Rudder Glands, Replace Cutlass Bearings in Rudder Housings
- Thrust Bearings for Rudders
- Part: New Mouning Hardware
- 2 Coat Bottom Job Trinidad HD - Black
- Replace Port and Starboard Rudder Post
- Custom Manufactured Aquamet 22 2-3/4" Rudder Post Machined with 3/4" Stainless Mounting Plate
Exclusions
Dingy and Motor are Excluded.
Personal Gear and any gear not mentioned here.
Preliminary Listing Full Specs and Gear to be done.
Disclaimer
The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.
Mechanical Disclaimer
Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.
Listing MLS by Yachtr.com
Contact Us
Want more information?
Gulf Coast Team
Gulf Coast
USA
Office: 800-826-2807
Toll Free: 1-800-826-2807
Email: [email protected]