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Rayburn’s Kathleen M is a testament to the value of owners leaving it to the pros.
by Bill Ando
photography by Neil Rabinowitz
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06/01/2007
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| Rayburn 92 |  |
Building custom yachts is like mountain climbing: potentially fraught
with peril, but if a yard pays close attention to the myriad details of planning
and execution, the result will be well worth the effort. The father-and-son team
of Ron and Paul Rayburn, owners of Rayburn Custom Yachts, are well acquainted
with the details of building in the custom environment. They know that a custom
yacht is more than fiberglass, wood and metal; it is the client’s dream. They
also know that delivering a well-found custom boat requires a symbiosis and
trust between the owner and builder.
Those are two of the most important elements the owners of the
92-foot (27.9-meter) Rayburn Kathleen M, Dr. Steve and Kathy Irwin (she
is the boat’s namesake), brought to the project.
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"They let us make many of the [technical] decisions," says
Paul Rayburn. With minimal involvement, the owners created a vessel that still
gives them a sense of pride in their choices. "By allowing us to do our job and
trusting our judgment, their own good taste shines through," he adds.
Top: The beamed ceiling visually connects the salon and dining
area; the pattern deviates to accommodate a chandelier mount over the dining
table. Bottom: The spacious country kitchen is bathed in natural light from the
large windows on the main deck. (Click images to enlarge)
That doesn’t mean the owners were hands-off. Steve Irwin says
either he or his representative visited the yard every 60 days during the
20-month build. Irwin has a unique perspective. The orthopedic surgeon knows the
value of letting the craftsmen do what they do best. The results are reflected
in Kathleen M, and Irwin is satisfied with the choices. "We finished the
build and think the boat’s just perfect," he says. "We didn’t under-build at
all."
The 92-footer is the largest boat the Irwins have owned, as
well as their first custom project and the first boat they will operate with
crew. Accustomed to operating their 65-foot Hatteras enclosed-bridge sportfisher
in the freshwater of Lake Michigan, the couple knew both what they wanted and
what didn’t appeal to them.
"We didn’t want a European look or a big boat," Irwin says.
They saw the 88-foot Rayburn Lady at the 2004 Miami Yacht and Brokerage
Show. "We liked the design and size, but we wanted an enclosed bridge." They
considered other builders and even had a serious chat with Burger Boat, but they
finally decided on fiberglass rather than aluminum.
Impressed with the workmanship displayed in the 88-footer, and
enamored with the ride during a sea trial, the Irwins found their yacht.
"Steve grabbed me and my dad by our shoulders," says Rayburn,
"and, with a firm squeeze, looked us in the eyes and said, ‘You build us a boat just like this with an enclosed bridge and we’ll be happy.’ It wasn’t quite a handshake, but it was a deal."
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