SHARK - RYBOVICH FOR SALE

1972 Rybovich-Designed 75’ Classic Wooden Yacht

Crafted in 1972 and lying in the United States, this 75-foot, Rybovich-designed wooden yacht embodies the golden age of bespoke American boatbuilding. Her sweeping sheer, long foredeck, and hand-faired hull celebrate a legacy of craftsmanship that remains as relevant today as it was the day she first launched—timeless, elegant, and purposefully seaworthy.

Underway, twin inboard Caterpillar diesels deliver confident performance with a brisk 20-knot cruise and an exhilarating 23.5-knot top end, balancing classic character with modern capability. The generous 18-foot beam grants reassuring stability at speed and at rest, while the robust diesel power and substantial fuel capacity provide the range and autonomy to chase horizons or tuna lines in equal measure.

On deck, the warm feel of real wood underfoot sets the tone for life aboard. The expansive aft area is equally at home hosting alfresco dinners or being outfitted for serious offshore pursuits. Wide side decks and purposeful sightlines make line handling and anchoring both safe and simple, while the elevated helm offers commanding visibility for confident navigation in open water and tight harbors alike.

Inside, the ambiance is quietly luxurious—rich joinery, natural light, and the subtle glow only a wooden yacht can provide. A welcoming salon invites easy conversation and relaxed entertaining, flowing naturally to a well-equipped galley where long weekends and extended passages are supported with ease. Thoughtful accommodations ensure privacy and comfort for owners and guests, complemented by three refined heads that underscore the yacht’s readiness for extended cruising. Every inch reflects the integrity of classic yachtbuilding: tactile, enduring, and beautifully human.

The hull’s wooden construction is more than an aesthetic choice—it’s a living testament to tradition, offering both a supple ride and a soul rare in contemporary designs. Paired with Caterpillar diesel efficiency and ample stores of water and fuel, the yacht encourages voyages measured not in miles but in moments: sunrise departures, silver-blue wake lines, and quiet evenings at anchor.

Whether envisioned as a distinguished family cruiser, an elegant guest platform, or a character-rich sportfishing flagship, this Rybovich-designed classic meets the brief with grace and capability. She is an invitation to join a lineage of serious yachtsmen—those who value the dignity of a handcrafted hull, the reliability of proven diesel power, and the freedom to venture far.

A standout opportunity for enthusiasts of classic motor yachts, custom sportfishers, wooden yachts, convertible sportfishing yachts, flybridge yachts, bluewater cruisers, luxury yachts, sportfishing yachts, and vintage yachts.

Description

SHARK is the one and only 75' Rybovich cockpit motor yacht ever built, arguably the rarest Rybovich in the world and the ultimate creation of Tommy Rybovich, launched as MARGARET and later sailing under the names FRAPPE' and WILDCAT. Cherished by a single owner for the past 17 years, she has been maintained without compromise, refined to a genuinely tip-top condition that draws admiration even from Michael Rybovich, who notes the owner’s unwavering commitment to care and upgrades. One of only five motor yachts the yard ever produced—and the largest of the category—SHARK has never required a restoration and today presents as though she emerged from the new-build shed only a few years ago. Built of mahogany using time-honored cold-molded construction perfected over 104 years of Rybovich heritage, her topsides comprise three diagonal layers of mahogany laid at 45-degree angles to a total thickness of about 1", sheathed externally in fiberglass, cloth, and resin; the bottom carries five diagonal layers of mahogany planking to approximately 1-1/2", likewise fiberglass and resin-sheathed for enduring strength. A distinctive sharp bow entry sets her apart, letting her carve through calm or chop with a poise and smoothness rarely matched, cruising comfortably at 20 knots and reaching a top speed of 23.5 kts. Power comes from gleaming CAT 3406 engines in an engine room curated with the precision of a car collector—indeed, the owner’s passion and collection are reflected in the immaculate cleanliness, thoughtful layout, and meticulous engineering, all dramatically illuminated by bright LED lighting mounted in the bilges to cast a museum-quality glow across machinery and systems. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting: soft mahogany radiuses meet all-white carpets, fabrics, and painted panels, tastefully accented with colorful cushions, artwork, and historic yachting memorabilia. At the helm, exquisite woodwork frames clean lines, recessed electronics, and lustrous gauges, all perfectly placed to create a true captain’s utopia with commanding sightlines and generous side windows—an ideal vantage point for running in any weather.

Engine room/machinery

Propulsion is delivered by 2 Caterpillar 800 HP engines, model 3406, with serial numbers Port-9WRO1240 and Starboard-9WRO1243; the CAT 3406 engines have been recently rebuilt and are covered by a 7-year warranty. Fuel is diesel, with power transmitted through prop shafts, while steering is hydraulic with a main-engine-driven power-assist pump for precise control. Roll stability underway is provided by 2 Naiad Model 254 stabilizers with fins measuring 40" in width and 24" in height; a forward line guard is fitted to the hull, and the backing blocks and installation appear well executed. Additional running gear includes five-bladed bronze Rolla propellers (34" pitch not sighted), two-piece 2 1/2" diameter Aquamet 22 stainless-steel shafts, and cast bronze rudders on 2" stainless-steel Aquamet 22 rudder shafts. Fuel management is enhanced by a Racor 79/1000 fuel-filter water separator designated solely for the transfer pump. Fresh water is stored in two integral 250-gallon tanks located aft between the aft integral fuel tanks and the forward lazarette bulkhead, with pressure supplied by a Headhunter Stingray 24 VDC pump positioned in the starboard forward corner of the engine room. A Water Makers Inc model WMSQ12502MSRANY1 watermaker shows 42.1 hrs. Waste is handled by two integral fiberglass-lined waste tanks with a discharge pump, while gray water is collected in two fiberglass tanks with clear Lexan lids, each fitted with a Rule submersible DC pump and float switch.

Safety & security equipment

In the lazarette, a reservoir feeds the CO2 fire suppression system, complemented by a high-water bilge alarm with a diaphragm discharge pump to safeguard the compartment. Further protection includes an automatic float switch serving the Rule 2000 GPH bilge pump, ensuring prompt response and reliable dewatering when needed.

Hull

Her transom proudly reads “SHARK.” The presentation is timeless: Sea Foam Green topsides, white decks and superstructure, gleaming varnished cap rails and trim, a Jade Green boot stripe, and a hull bottom finished in a lighter green antifouling. The transom itself is finished to a high-gloss varnish that radiates depth and craftsmanship.