Boat Review: Jersey Cape Devil 45 Express

Years ago, the Jersey Cape line began with the legendary Jersey Devil, which built a great reputation on the back of some outstanding design innovations. Ultimately, the current owners bought the company and improved the quality still more. Recently, the owners of Jersey Cape purchased Cavileer Yachts, garnering them an instant increase in industry credentials as well as a full line of high-quality, relatively affordable offshore fishing boats.

**Design and Construction
**The latest in the line – the Devil 45 Express – incorporates Divinycell coring and vinylester resin into a hand-laid fiberglass hull and deck for a low center of gravity, lightweight strength and exceptional durability. For those who worry about cored bottoms, you’ll be pleased to know that Jersey Cape opts for solid fiberglass.

Standard power consists of a pair of 710-hp CAT C-12 diesels. However, those with larger fuel budgets who want to go faster can choose twin 800- or 900-hp MAN diesels. All power packages now come with electronic controls and advanced monitoring systems and gauges.

Bridge Deck
Once you get to 45 feet, the bridge deck of an express boat seems huge, and the Jersey Cape proves no exception. The design calls for a centerline helm with a pedestal seat, surrounded almost completely by settee seating with storage beneath. Two steps down the slightly offset stairway to the cockpit are your only obstacles to reaching the transom to handle a fish. That’s much easier than climbing down a slippery flybridge ladder. And of course, your guests can easily chat with you while you drive.

Jersey Cape does a superb job of adding both thermal and acoustic insulation to the engine compartment to keep heat and noise down, making a ride on this express quiet and comfortable.

**Interior
**The present interior configurations feature two different forward cabins: One has a queen-sized island berth on centerline, while the other offers a double to port and a single below it to starboard, both following the curve of the hull. A head with a stand-up shower stall separates the cabin from the starboard-side galley with custom flooring, designer countertops, electric stove, microwave/convection oven and refrigerator and freezer compartments. Opposite to port, the L-shaped settee hides rod storage, with loads of other storage areas throughout the salon.

**Cockpit
**The cockpit provides basic fishing amenities, such as a fish box with a macerator, fresh- and saltwater washdowns, a livewell, four in-gunwale rod holders, a full tackle and rigging station and a transom door. You can choose teak for the deck and cap rails if you so desire. And while many people would be proud to own this boat for cruising purposes, those who want to take advantage of this line’s fishing heritage will undoubtedly check off the Tournament Package on the option sheet. This includes a PipeWelders tuna tower, hardtop, tower sunshade, instrument box, Glendenning remote control and steering station, outriggers, center rigger, rod holders on tower legs and hardtop trailing edge, Costa custom enclosure and tackle storage drawers.