One of the top yacht firms in Florida, family-owned Rybovich Yachts specializes in custom sportfishing yachts between 32- and 105 feet. For nearly a century, Rybovich Yachts has been outdoing their competitors with a combination of artistry and technological innovation, producing exquisite cold molded vessels built to the highest levels of craftsmanship. Deemed ‘the Stradivarius of sportfishing boats’ by Fortune Magazine in 1961, Rybovich retains its reputation for excellence and high-quality workmanship to this day.
What would become Rybovich Yachts started in 1919, when Yugoslavian immigrant John ‘Pop’ Rybovich started a small fishing boat repair shop in Palm Beach, Florida. Over the next 20 years, Rybovich would go on to repair sportfishing yachts and convert existing cruisers of the day into charter fishing boats. By the late 1940s, Rybovich and his three sons – Johnny, Tommy, and Emil – designed their first custom sportfishing boat, the Miss Chevy II, launched in 1947. Rybovich vessels, or ‘Rybos,’ became the ultimate status symbol – just two years later, Tough Tuna Tony Accardo, Al Capone’s right-hand-man, commissioned Rybovich’s second sportfishing boat. More respectable clients would follow suit: business tycoons from Firestone, Gillette, and Maytag all clamored for a Rybovich yacht.
Rybovich has always been at the forefront of technological innovation: in the 1960s, as yacht speeds were increasing with the use of diesel engines, the firm began modifying their vessels to keep them comfortable and stable at speed. Adapting the structure of Boston Whaler, Rybovich and in-house naval architect Giovanni Cardella designed a more convex bottom section to keep the boat level in rough waters.
After the death of Pop and, later, his son Tommy, the Rybovich brand was placed under new ownership, only to fall back into the family’s hands in 2005. Over the next decade, the family business thrived, despite setbacks from the 2008 financial crash. The firm is now headed by Pop’s grandson, Michael Rybovich, who has three sons of his own involved in the business. Today, Rybovich continues to operate on the cutting edge, incorporating the latest materials the industry has to offer into their boats.
Rybovich is best known for their custom mahogany sportfishing yachts over 60 feet using a cold molding process, often implementing the expensive and high-quality process of joining woods strips with resin. The firm has also developed mid-sized composite vessels, such as the Express Walkaround 42, fabricated with vinylester-infused Core-cell foam-cored fiberglass.
RYBOVICH MODELS
Rybovich 60 Convertible
With triple-planked, cold-molded mahogany and cored bulkheads and rich teak finishes throughout, the Rybovich 60 is the brand’s classic model. Built for serious fishing, the vessel has a 3-foot-wide tuna door – the perfect size for reeling in a giant catch. It also features a 360-degree glass panel that wraps around the salon, providing plenty of sunlight to admire your surroundings. As a convertible, the Rybovich 60 is exceptionally versatile, perfect for serious fishing excursions and family leisure cruising alike. It’s also made of strong stuff: triple planked mahogany hull, Douglas fir stringers, and teak finishes throughout. As a result, it is eminently rideable, practically levitating over the water, with minimal side-to-motion, vibrations, or rattles. With an impeccably finished master stateroom with a private head in the bow, as well as two guests cabins aft, the Rybovich 60 is perfect for longer excursions or early-morning fishing trips. Twin 1,200 horsepower MANs and a 1,300-gallon fuel capacity, the Rybovich 60 hits an impressive top speed of 48.3 knots and possesses a cruising range of 840 nautical miles.
Rybovich 55
A true Rybovich vessel, this 55-foot sportfishing yacht features the classic Rybovich broken sheer, sleek lines, and varnished teak accents. Eschewing a painted bulkhead for a forward-facing tinted wraparound windshield, the Rybovich 55 offers clear 360-degree views free from the glare of the sun. The Rybovich makes the most of its space: salon features an L-shaped sofa with storage beneath for entertaining and 3 staterooms and 2 bathrooms, this vessel can accommodate up to six people and is ideal for overnight expeditions and leisure fishing.
Rybovich 78
The colossal Rybovich 78 is an extravagant but practical yacht designed by Michael Rybovich and his son, Dusty. A cold-molded vessel constructed over 28 months with a cross-planked and resin-glued hull, the Rybovich 78 displays all the trademarks of the Rybovich brand. The impeccable deadrise creates such a smooth and stable ride that a gyrostabilizer isn’t necessary, and twin diesel 2,600 horsepower MUT engines reach a top speed of over 50 knots, with a cruising range of over 38 knots. One of the largest boats to be outfitted with a ZF fully electric SteerCommand system, the steering on this vessel is responsive and precise. The helm is simply beautiful, a contrast of rich shiny teaks and clean, classically nautical white leather seats. An oversized mezzanine features a long seating area sheltered beneath the end of the hardtop. The salon and kitchen area are open plan, but each is expansive enough to feel like a separate space. A whopping four elegant and well-appointed staterooms accommodates 6 guests and 2 crew.
How to Buy a Rybovich Yacht
If you’re interested in purchasing a Rybovich yacht, a Staten Island Yacht Sales professional can assist you in your buying needs. All employees are trained to identify as many ways as possible to improve your experience when purchasing a Rybovich yacht. As a 100-percent customer-driven business, SI Yachts delivers every time.
How to Sell Your Rybovich Yacht
Staten Island Yacht Sales has the experience and the product knowledge to sell your Rybovich yacht. Selecting the right full-service brokerage firm when selling your yacht improves the likelihood of a seamless and timely transaction. Listing your Rybovich with SI Yachts, you can be certain it is in the hands of dedicated professionals. Over 50 years in business, our devoted Sales Professionals work attentively to provide you with first class representation.
