Rybovich

U.S. luxury sportfishing yacht builder Rybovich is an historic family-run shipyard that today operates under the name Michael Rybovich & Sons in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Luxury yacht builder Michael Rybovich & Sons constructs custom wooden sportfishing yachts up to 26 metres in length.

History of Rybovich

In the late 1920s, fisherman John Rybovich, Sr., opened a boatyard on the shore of Lake Worth in West Palm Beach, Fla. In 1947, he built the first Rybovich sportfishing yacht, Miss Chevy II, with his sons Johnny, Tommy and Emil. In addition to having a fast, seaworthy hull, this innovative yacht was equipped with the world’s first aluminium outriggers and an early fighting chair. The Rybovich family went on to build 57 custom Rybovich sportfishing yachts, including many big-game tournament winners. In the late 1950s, luxury yacht builder Rybovich began using the cold-molding process to construct their wooden hulls. Each Rybovich luxury sportfisher has a signature double rail. After the death of Tommy Rybovich in 1972, the shipyard changed hands several times. Florida businessman and sports team owner Wayne Huizenga, Jr., purchased the original shipyard property in 2004 and converted it to a superyacht refit, service and repair yard. Emil Rybovich’s son Michael, who followed in his father’s footsteps, opened Michael Rybovich & Sons in 2010.

Notable Rybovich Yachts

The 23.77M luxury sportfishing yacht Game On, delivered in 2010, was the largest Rybovich built to date. Twin Caterpillar C34 diesel engines propel her to a top speed of 39 knots. Currently, a 26M Rybovich is under construction at the shipyard.