June 6, 2017 Happy to report everyone onboard was unharmed. She was a classic and will be missed.
(The info and video below is being shard via an e-mail from Pat Rybovich) The video was taken by a friend of mine, Ed Merrel who saw a boat in flames, not knowing that it was Miss Budweiser. In the Rybovich book Ed tells the story of how back in the 1950s Cuba he and his dad fell in love with Rybovich boats that fished the early Hemingway Tournaments. It is ironic that Miss Budweiser was just returning from the recent Hemingway Tournament in Cuba when Ed saw and filmed the tragic sight of Miss Budweiser as she burst into flames.
Miss Budweiser (1961 Rybovich Hull #49) was an extraordinary boat with a rich pedigree. The Busch family told stories of the many celebrities, like Frank Sinatra, being entertained on the Miss Bud. She was truly Rybovich royalty.
Thank God no one was hurt in the devastating fire. Our heart and prayers go out to the Busch family.
In response to our July/August 2014 publication feature New from Old which featured a classic 45-foot Rybovich and a 1972 53-foot Hatteras lengthened to 58 feet, John Wendkos contacted us with another classic renovation which he produced with Robin Smith of Manteo, N.C. The scope of the work included engines (cat c15s) and and complete re-engineering of all mechanical and electric systems. Fuel capacity has been increased to 1100+ gallons of fuel. 