Rare catches
Deepa Bharath
It’s hailed as the ultimate fishing machine.
The Rybovich, named after the company in Florida that made the
vessels, was the first boat custom-made for sportfishing. And on Nov.
22 and 23, four of these boats will be docked at the Newport Harbor
Nautical Museum for public display.
It is a rare occasion when this many Ryboviches congregate, museum
director Glenn Zagoren said.
“To have all these boats in one place for a fisherman is like a
car enthusiast having four Lamborghinis in one place,” he said. “They
are the grand dons of sportfishing.”
Ryboviches were the first boats to have flying bridges, Zagoren
said. The very first Rybovich was built for author Ernest Hemingway.
“The flying bridges on that boat were pretty crude,” Zagoren said.
“But it was the first time people even thought about having those on
a fishing boat.”
Something even more noteworthy is that three of the four boats
that will be on display are permanently docked in Newport Harbor.
Only 89 Rybovich boats exist worldwide.
Jim Busby of Balboa Island will dock his 31-foot, 1956 Rybovich
Crackers alongside the museum. Jim Connelly will bring his 36-foot
Bimini Babe, and Tom Addis will bring his 1956 Rybovich, Nemo. Other
devoted sportfishermen, including Ted Naftzger, who will be bringing
his 37-foot Hustler from Beverly Hills, are expected to participate
in the weekend exhibit.
The exhibit should be a considerable draw because of Newport
Beach’s fishing heritage, Zagoren said.
“Our primary mission at the museum is to preserve the heritage of
our harbor,” he said. “And fishing is a big part of our heritage.”
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.