A handful of the vintage Rybovich boats on display at Ocean Reef.

WOW!   Just got back from RyboRendezvous #2, a magical weekend at the breathtaking Ocean Reef Club!  With clear skies & crisp cool breezes we got a chance to fully appreciate the extraordinary collection of vintage boats, cars and airplanes on display—it was a world class event!

I’m thrilled to say that eight of my dad’s finest creations joined the breathtaking display in the lush Ocean Reef paradise surrounded by palm trees and fragrant orchids.  In case you were unable to join us for this extraordinary weekend, here’s what you missed:

• The vintage Rybovich display kicked off with the oldest Rybo in existence, Hull #2, Clari Jo (now Lynne and Larry Mullin’s lovely Legend).  Lovingly restored by Michael Rybovich 15 years ago, the boat looks as perfect as the day she was launched—some 60 years ago! We were thrilled to meet the delightful family who commissioned the boat back in 1949, a special experience that truly brought Rybovich history to life .

• The second oldest Rybo on display being the (now famous!) Hull #13 Bimini Babe a boat commissioned by Bob Maytag back in 1954.  To be a part of this historic event, the owners shipped Bimini Babe across the country from California to the Key Largo!  With the freighter delaying the trip thru the Panama Canal, the owners (Jim Connelly and David Pyle) championed every hurdle tossed her way to have her shipped by truck at the last possible moment, saving the day.  Their efforts were well rewarded as Bimini Babe proudly walked away with one of two coveted Ocean Reef vintage boat awards!

• Bimini Babe II (the 1959 Hull #38) delighted us all by at the last minute slipping into the line-up as the 3^rd oldest Rybo on display!  The boat (known today as Mike McNelis’ Popeye) made for a memorable experience as we got a first-ever glimpse of both of Bob Maytag’s gorgeous gals, almost side-by-side at the dock!

• 1963 Rybovich Hull #54, originally Rogue, (now Bill and Betty Topercer’s MegaBite) was the 4^th vintage Rybo on display as a fine example of an impeccably maintained sportfish.  MegaBite proudly distinguishes the Rybovich profile and shows what my dad did best:  to create a classic Rybovich sportfish that can still take your breath away—defying her age of almost 50 years!

• The 1964 Frisky Lady (now Sam V).   The classic 36-footer, Rybovich Hull #58 needs no further mention in that she snagged the coveted “Ocean Reef Best in Show” prize!  Impeccable from stem to stern, Sam V’s breathtakingly (and painstakingly!) preserved heritage shows my dad’s genius in the creation of this highly-appreciated 36-footer.  We lovers of vintage Rybovich tip our hat to Bob and Betsey Melton for their Herculean efforts to keep the ol’ gal in Bristol condition!

• Jack and Lynn Delaney’s 1967 Hull #65 Lone Eagle (originally the first Little Pete) is always a crowd pleaser:  As a fine example of the highly successful sixties-era design, Lone Eagle defines the “classic” in the Rybovich profile.  With wacky parrot, Polly, onboard to keep things lively (if a bit off kilter!) the Delaney’s Lone Eagle is always the life of the party!   In a sea of sportfish copy-cats, Lone Eagle stands out as the real McCoy.

• Due to last-minute mechanical troubles, the largest Rybovich built by the three brothers, the Margaret was unable to join us and was sorely missed.  The breathtaking and historically significant 75-foot Rybovich Yachtfisherman, (today Shark, owned by Peter and Pippa Vlasov) carries a fascinating legacy as my dad’s revolutionary hull design and his plans for her to be the world’s first pleasureboat powered by gas turbines. We all hope to see this extraordinary yacht join the display at the next RyboRendezvous!

• Hull #76, the Loot Lam (today Don and Barbara O’Neill’s Other Love) carries the distinction of being the very last boat completed at the time of my father’s death, at age 52.  Her woodwork meticulously gleaming, after 40 years her classic profile still has the ability to takes one’s breath away!   The Loot Lam has personal significance to me as the last boat my dad was able to complete and was launched a short time before his death in 1972.  Still run by Capt Lew Lane who has run the boat since the day she was splashed, at 40 years this lovely ol’ gal is a fine example of the design genius my dad spent a lifetime to achieve.

• The final vintage Rybovich, the 1970 Hull #74 White Swan (today Topaz) was the finale of the Rybovich line-up!  With her classic varnished mahogany mast on the foredeck, in a sea of ordinary sportfish boats Topaz stands out from the crowd.  One glimpse of my dad’s famed profile with her pleasing proportions clearly reveals the Rybovich signature. Sporting an Art Deco-inspired interior that has been maintained with attention to detail, Topaz reveals Tommy’s design genius that 60 years later continues to make Rybovich legendary.

• And last but not least, the gorgeous 1957 Tango (lovingly cared for and impeccably maintained by Carlos and Victoria Cavanagh) brought the captivating Cubavich story to life! 

Endless thanks to all vintage Rybovich (and token Cubavich!) owners for your significant investment in “blood, sweat & tears” to make this dream of a RyboRendezvous #2 a reality.  It’s because of your efforts the Rybovich heritage is kept alive to this day.  It was a thrill to share the Rybovich story to a sell-out crowd of hundreds(!) and am honored that you invest so much of your life to keep this rich story alive.

Also many thanks to the people of Ocean Reef for dovetailing the RyboRendezvous #2 in their Vintage Weekend!  Islande worked to ensure that each & every detail was handled with a rare combination of precision + inspired joie de vivre! And I’ll never forget the extreme generosity of the Goldstein’s enchanting pool-side extravaganza - amazing!  

I hear chatter of another RyboRendezvous at gorgeous world class Ocean Reef Club next year - can’t wait!

Thank all you again for making this extraordinary dream a reality. 

Wishing you all a joyous holiday,

Pat

PS  In appreciation of your tremendous efforts to have your vintage Rybo included in the event, all participating boats have a Rybo-treasure headed your way (check your mailbox in about a week or so!)