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Ultimately the brothers worked together and the boats evolved — each a bit better than the one before. Today Mike Rybovich builds outstanding fishing boats — 20 to date, from 24 to 78 feet. All have been built of cold-molded wood; however, Rybovich is considering other materials and is working on even larger designs. “For me it’s all about a good result — a good boat.”

About the time Pops Rybovich was settling in Palm Beach, Addison Whiticar arrived in Florida to fish commercially in the waters off Stuart — just 40 miles north. As tourists flocked to the area after World War II, wealthy anglers sought the services of Whiticar and his sons Curt, Jack and Johnson. Such were the humble beginnings of the Whiticar charter fishing fleet. Unlike Rybovich, Curt Whiticar created his first 11 boats for his personal use and the family charter business, said John Whiticar, Curt’s son. John Whiticar now runs the yard with his cousin Jim Dragseth. Jim’s father, John Dragseth, helped Curt build the yard and the fleet. “By the early 1950s,” Whiticar said, “our family’s charter customers began commissioning their own boats. Most averaged about 38 feet in length and were very basic compared with what we build today.” These early Whiticars were plank-on-frame construction. Most were powered with gas engines and ran about 18 knots. Whiticar’s most recent builds are state-of-the-art tournament designs with cold-molded hulls and cored fiberglass superstructures. The yard’s last two 76-footers cruised at about 30 knots.

Brothers Buddy and Allen Merritt were veterans of the Cat Cay tournaments as well. They began building boats in 1955 at their family’s service yard 20 miles south of Rybovich’s in Pompano Beach. “Uncle Buddy built the boats and my dad (Allen) managed the business — he still comes to work today at age 89,” said Roy Merritt, who has managed the yard since the mid-1970s. “Uncle Buddy was a pioneer in tuna fishing,” Merritt said. “Back then some skippers put seats atop the gin pole so they could see. … Uncle Buddy put a mast on the boat with a control station — basically two ropes led through blocks to the bridge wheel. He looked like he was milking a cow up there,” remembered Allen Merritt.

“In 1955, Uncle Buddy finished a 34-footer my granddad had started,” Merritt said. “She was designed and lofted by the Norseman yard in Miami.” Buddy Merritt designed her cockpit and her graceful profile. “Uncle Buddy knew how a fishing boat should be.” She was built for a charter guest, and Merritt remembered she cost about $17,000. The 34 grew to 35 and then became the iconic 37 Merritt. Her size was tailored to the fishery. “The whole idea of tuna fishing with big boats doesn’t work; the flat wake of the 37 was perfect. It was the boat to have, and we were fortunate to have the best crews fishing them at the time.” In all, just 12 37s were built, and all but two are still in service. The boats that followed the 37 were larger and just as successful. “In the 1970s I asked my granddad if I could build a boat using the jig we had for a 42 — it seemed a lot better than painting bottoms,” Merritt said with a laugh. The 42 became the 43 — 13 were built. Three 53s, a 54 and a 55 followed — all classics.



Some captains say Roy Merritt can be opinionated when it comes to his boats, but that’s a good thing. “It’s true we build boats a certain way. … We feel it’s the right way,” Merritt said. “If someone thinks differently I’ll listen, but they’re going to have to explain why different is better.” Merritt has advice for those thinking of building a boat. “An old captain once told me that, if you figure a certain length boat is perfect, add 10 percent and it’s a whole lot better — I think he was right.” Today Merritt’s 72-, 78- and 86-footers are molded fiberglass and Kevlar with closed-cell foam coring. If the right customer asks, Merritt will consider building in wood, and he is currently finishing a cold-molded 66-footer. As for Merritt’s favorite boat, he won’t say, but he owns a 42 he helped build 44 years ago.

In my opinion, the fit, finish and sophistication of the modern tournament fish boat sets the bar for all yachts no matter the size or purpose. Does it make sense? “My dad would turn in his grave if he knew how much time we spend making engine rooms pretty — he’d think we were wasting the customer’s money,” Rybovich said. Merritt agrees but added, “Our customers are allowing us to be our best. … We are very fortunate.” For Rybovich, Whiticar and Merritt it’s always been about satisfying those fishing for perfection.

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