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.”