Palm Beach Elegance: Refitting a 1990, 44’ Rybovich.

Mark and Sally Williamson of Fort Myers, Florida are the proud new owners of the Barbie Doll, a 44’ Rybovich express. Built in 1990, the boat made a lasting impression on Mark. “I saw the boat listed in InTheBite. I followed it for a year and a half before making an offer that I thought was fair,” Mark says. He bought it from Joe Dougherty, a broker with MacGregor Yachts.

“I originally saw the boat in an article in Wooden Boat Magazine. I was in awe of the boat. When I saw the boat advertised in InTheBite, I thought it looked really familiar. I have four boxes of old magazines in my attic. I found the article that included the boat—it was the last magazine in the third box,” Mark describes.

The Williamsons purchased the boat with the intent to restore the classic Palm Beach elegance to the vessel. With this in mind, the boat is currently undergoing what Mark describes as a “fairly extensive overhaul” at A&J Boat Works in Stuart, Florida. The work order includes:

• Removing the old Detroits and installing Cummins QSC, 600 hp, mains.
• Removing the old Northern Lights generator and installing new Phasor Marine generators from Kuboda.
• Completely repainting and revarnishing the whole vessel. From top to bottom, inside and out.
  Installing new freezers, new teak deck wrap, and a new teak deck on the upper deck.

As Mark puts it, “We’re getting everything stripped down, sanded, fared, and ready to be re-awlgripped.”

When the vessel is finished, Mark and Sally are debating her next name. “We are considering giving her back the name that she was first called, Boss Lady. We’re also thinking about naming it what we’ve called all of our other boats to this point, Mar Sal (short for Mark and Sally). The boat will end up back in Fort Myers.

The Williamsons have listed the current Mar Sal, a 33’ L&H express walkaround, with Joe Dougherty and MacGregor Yachts. If you’re in the market, that boat is worth a look.