Overview

This is a unique and distinctive vessel that was built to the highest standards for long distance cruising, yet is equally at home for a relaxing day-sail or weekend exploration of inland waters. Recognized for her stellar pedigree and stately lines at every port she enters, Rhapsody in Blue is an extremely flexible yacht that offers serious boaters all the modern amenities in a fuel-efficient hull.

By bringing together the boat building talents of Derecktor Shipyards (builders of mega-yachts and America's Cup boats) with designers Harris & MacLear (of Sparksman & Stephens fame), Rhapsody in Blue is a go anywhere boat that is elegant, comfortable and easy to maintain. Her 2,500 mile range, comfortable 10 to 12 knot cruising speed, or 17 knot "got to make that bridge opening" option, offers boaters the flexibility they need in today's "do anything" boating environment.

Impeccable and plush, her interior reflects the highest quality standards and workmanship of a Rybovich Spencer update, completed in 1997 using traditional materials that give her a modern and classic look. Her three stateroom, three head configuration is designed for comfortable and roomy cruising, providing the owners and their guests with both the privacy and the large gathering spaces required for truly memorable yachting experiences.

Rhapsody in Blue was purchased by the current owners in 2001 and completed a comprehensive insurance survey in 2007, including hull soundings. She was given a clean bill of health, clearly reflecting how carefully and well the boat has been maintained. If you are looking for a turn-key boat, built by one of the world's leading shipyards, Rhapsody in Blue is a must see today!


Price reduced! Offers welcome!

Descriptions

Dimensions
Displacement: 60000

Engines
Total Power: 375

Tanks
Fuel: 1050 gal. Aluminum
Fresh Water: 450 gal. Aluminum

Accommodations
Entering from either the port or starboard side door, you step into an open and spacious salon. To port is a large, L-shaped "ultra suede" settee (upgraded, which is both easy to keep clean and incredibly comfortable for either lounging or dining. Excellent storage underneath provides easy access to the supplies required for extended, long-term cruising. At the forward end of the settee is a custom cherry cabinet, which not only provides a perfect landing place for a drink or book, but also houses the commercial-grade clear-ice maker.

In front of the settee is a custom teak dinning table, which can be raised for dining or lowered to cocktail table height with the push of a button. An in/out slide mechanism also enables the table to move to, or away, from diners, eliminating the need to shuffle guests about to gain access to seating space.

To starboard is the galley, complete with a 4-burner Thermador cooktop, full-size Thermador convection oven and microwave. A beautifully hinged countertop panel hides the cooktop when not in use, providing a very clean look and copious amounts of counter space. A Corian double sink, Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer and excessive storage space are also hallmarks of this galley. This includes easy access to large pots and pans; a set of 4 full-extension cutlery, etc., drawers, as well as an upper end-cabinet with built-in, secure storage for everything from wine glasses and plates to bowls, tumblers and water glasses. A swivel-mounted TV for "anywhere in the cabin viewing," DVD player and stereo system are all accessible from the aft end of this spacious galley.

Forward in the main salon, there is a chart table with electronics mounted above and across the forward port bulkhead. The lower helm station is to starboard, with a well-designed monitoring system and breaker panel underneath. The hidden on-board navigation computer is also located in this space, providing current Maine-to-Florida MapTech chart viewing access to the upper- and lower-helm station flat-panel monitors.

The beautiful teak and holly sole in the main salon is partially covered by a custom bordered rug that can be easily removed for cleaning or storage. Forward and slightly off-center is an inconspicuous ladder that provides direct access to the flying bridge, an invaluable feature in nasty weather. It is also a great way of handing up drinks or food while dining above or under way.

Forward and down two steps are the forward staterooms, separated by a fore-to-aft bulkhead. The starboard stateroom has two oversized stacked beds on the outside wall, complete with extremely comfortable custom mattresses and mold/moisture-proof "mattress enclosures." Opening portholes, a large overhead hatch and one of three reverse-cycle air-conditioning units provide the forward staterooms with complete heating/cooling options.

At the forward end of the starboard stateroom is a separate head and shower. A large Corian sink and countertop, custom mirror and oversized medicine cabinet complement this space. The large storage cabinets and upper shelf space on the outer walls of the head also add to the ample drawer and hanging locker space of the starboard cabin.

The portside cabin, which has been used as a captain's cabin in the past, has a single, oversized bed with drawers underneath and a hanging locker on the forward wall. The private head has an en-suite shower, Royal Flush head and a Pullman-style drop-down sink.

Moving aft from the main salon and down two wide steps is the Master stateroom. To starboard is a large, 4 foot wide by 3+ foot deep hanging locker, large writing desk, flat screen TV and more storage space. To port on the forward bulkhead is a built-in, floor- to-ceiling bookshelf with lower drawers, followed by the master head with separate shower stall, Corian sink and countertop, as well as tons of storage space. The custom mattress queen bed is aft on the port side. Aft center, three teak steps lead you up to the exterior aft cockpit.

The flybridge is spacious and welcoming, with cushioned bench seating on either side. Underneath, oversized storage bins currently store everything from a large on-board compressor, lifejackets, spare rode and parts, as well as extra-seating deck chairs for the custom 8-person teak table that quickly expands for dining and entertaining. Behind the fully-instrumented helm's station, a custom captain's chair provides the captain with luxury and comfort. The full canvas Eisenglass enclosure shows as new.

On the forward edge of the flybridge, Rhapsody in Blue uniquely features venturi "vents," which bring in fresh air from the bottom of the flybridge forward of the main salon windows. When the boat is under way or anchored with a breeze, this enables you to have a fresh wind coming through the flybridge with or without opening the Eisenglass enclosure. Great for when it's raining, there are built-in covers for the lower "intake" to eliminate the breeze when desired.

Aft of the flybridge and down three step is a large after-deck, with 6 ½' by 2' port and starboard deck boxes. The center of the aft deck is open space.

Other features include a large forward deck with an oversized chain-and-rode Ideal windless, two bow-mounted anchors, self-stowing anchor chain and rode storage lockers, a large aft cockpit with walk through transom door and side-to-side swim platform. Pocket screen doors on either side of the main salon. On both the after-deck and forward main deck are dingy storage mounting brackets, providing for on-board storage options. Three aft lazarettes provide a combination of storage space (starboard), easy access to the rudder post (center), as well as the built-in deep freezer box (port).

• 3 Cruise Air units
• Head Hunter head system (upgraded)
• JVC TV
• Toshiba TV
• Sony CD player
• Toshiba DVD

Galley
Galley is on the starboard side with excellent storage and counter space. Windows on 3 sides make it very bright for the cook.

• Subzero Refrigerator
• Subzero Freezer
• Thermador 4 burner electric stove
• Double sinks
• Thermador Convection oven
• Whirlpool Icemaker

Electronics

• Robertson AP 300X Autopilot w/ repeater at flybridge
• Furuno 36 mile radar w/ repeater
• 2 Icom VHF's
• Trimble Navigator NT 200D GPS
• Danforth Compass
• Hand held spotlight
• Autohelm wind direction/speed
• Hewlett Packard Computer Maptech
• ACR Class A EPIRB

Electrical

• 12KW Northern Lights Genset 3600 hrs
• 12 volt and 32 volt DC system
• 120 and 240 Volt system
• Sentry 12 volt battery charger
• Raritan 32 Volt battery charger
• Heart 2500 Watt inverter/charger
• 3 Aquamatic 27M battery's
• 4 Trojan 6V-105 battery's
• 2 31M battery's

Deck and Hull Equipment
There are two steading masts available for the boat. Both have roller furling mainsails. The current owner has removed the larger forward mast and it is currently stored. The mast can be resteped if the new owner wishes to have both steadying masts rigged. Nice size side decks make it easy to move forward or aft. Teak decks are in excellent condition.

• Ideal Electric Windlass
• 60 lb CQR w/300' chain
• 45 CQR w/50' chain and 300' rode
• 10 LIFE JACKETS
• Avon 6 person liferaft (not Certified)
• Saltwater/freshwater bow washdown
• Teak Swim Platform
• Spur line cutters

Mechanical & Engine Room
New, twin 3208 Caterpiller engines were installed by Hinckley in 1990. Twin disc 2.54 to 1. Owner often cruises on one engine @ 8 knots burning only 3 gallons per hour! This gives the boat a 2500+ mile range. The Head Hunter head system was updated along with newer holding tanks, hoses, etc. This is a trouble free water jet system that has no moving parts in the head. A $22,000 upgrade, it can be run off fresh water (boat system) or salt water when cruising.

• New 2" shafts
• New 32 x 32 4 bladed Nibral props
• 2 spare props
• 5 bilge pumps
• Emergency "Y" value allows you to pump the bilge water through the engine cooling system.
• High water alarms
• 3 midship aluminum fuel tanks
• 1 Aluminum water tank
• Electric built in oil change system
• Fuel transfer pump
• 12 volt blowers
• 2 75 lb. CO2 Fire system
• 7 portable fire extinguishers
• Galley maid pump w/ Accumulator Tank
• 15 gallon water heater
• Shower sumps
• 3 showers ( All 3 heads have a shower)
• 2 Sealand head discharge pumps

Naval Architects Comments
Naval Architects comments on the design for Rhapsody in Blue

MacLear & Harris Inc.

The "Out Island 52" is not a minimum boat, but rather the opposite. Everything is on the generous side, including; elbow room, berth size, stowage volume, head size, number of showers, water an fuel capacity, engine horsepower, reduction gear ratio, propeller diameter, generator capacity, refrigerator compressors (three), freezer volume, heat pumps (with ample cooling and heating), ground tackle and capstan, flying bridge deck area and almost all other desirable characteristics.

The "Out Island 52" design is a development of the best yachts and commercial fishing boats of the world today. Commercial fishing boat hulls were not suitable because their full ends, which are required to carry enormous loads of fish, detract from a pleasure boat's performance. Current power yacht forms were considerably modified because they are inadequate in many respects. They are too weight sensitive and cannot carry sufficient fuel or water. Their shallow draft lets them be blown about by the wind when maneuvering and coming alongside in congested areas or tight spots.

Most power yachts roll far too much and very few have usable and effective steadying sails. Steadying sails were specified because they are reliable and relatively inexpensive and reduce roll considerably in a boat of this size. On the other hand power stabilizers can be fitted by those who want them. Others may prefer flopper stoppers, or no sails at all, but it seems apparent that steadying sails will best suit many owners. These can now be electrically roller reefing and furling.

It is strongly believed that most power yachts have too much top hamper and look and feel top heavy at sea. While the "Out Island 52" provides a high platform for the skipper and those who want to be high, neither the bow nor the stern have high deckhouses. Headroom forward is achieved by giving the bow generous freeboard (a healthy characteristic) rather than a large vulnerable glass house (unhealthy). It was deemed a sound principle to create a hull large enough so that you could live in it without having to build a great quantity of deckhouse to accommodate people. Thus the "Out Island 52" has taken some of the healthy characteristics of commercial fishing boats and combined them with the most attractive features of yachts. The proportion of hull volume to superstructure volume is favorable for a craft that is expected to go anywhere offshore.

The "Out Island 52" draws about one foot more than many yachts of her size on the East Coast, and yet she draws about one and a half feet less than some of the offshore yachts of the West Coast. This was considered a good middle road to take, for it provides good seakeeping qualities with virtually no pounding and yet permits the boat to go into most desirable harbors.

While speed was certainly not a primary factor, it was considered reasonable that the "Out Island 52" be able to go 15% faster than a comparable workboat. She was definitely required to go 200 to 500 percent further than current yachts without refueling. She had to have three times the water capacity of the average yacht 52 feet long.

The bridge is protected from the wind by a giant venture which is far more effective than anything currently seen on boats of this size. This results in maximum visibility with excellent protection from the weather.

The anchor and anchor windlass are "oversized" by normal standards but provide security and permits the skipper to sleep soundly. The number one anchor is a plow anchor that is self stowing in a bowsprit, and need not be handled. The chain is self stowing and no one need go below to tier it down. The chain is oversized permitting the boat to lie to a shorter scope because the chain's weight provides a better angle for the anchor and more shock absorbing qualities than would a lighter "adequate" chain.

The deeper draft permits the use of larger reduction gear (3 to 1) which results in larger propellers which have the following advantages; more efficient fuel consumption, grips the water better when maneuvering (better stopping power and greater acceleration), slower turning results in less vibration, and deeper propeller less likely to cavitate in high sea conditions. The deeper draft gives directional stability which makes the boat hold a course more steadily and makes her steer like a larger craft in heavy weather. The deeper draft also permits more deadrise in the forward 2/3 of the vessel (more "v") resulting in less pounding a more gentle roll period.

In summary, the "Out Island 52" is comfortable, able, rugged in every sense, and you feel that she is "in the water" not rolling around on top of it.



Brokers Comments
It is rare that such a unique and gorgeous vessel appears on the market, especially one whose surveyed replacement value is estimated to be between 2.7 and 3 million dollars at today's yard rates and materials costs. Without question, Rhapsody in Blue is an extremely flexible yacht that offers serious boaters all the modern amenities in a fuel-efficient hull. Her three stateroom, three head configuration is designed for comfortable and roomy cruising, providing the owners and their guests with both the privacy and the large gathering spaces required for truly memorable yachting experiences. Rhapsody in Blue was purchased by the current owners in 2001 and has completed a comprehensive insurance survey, including hull soundings. She was given a clean bill of health, clearly reflecting how carefully and well the boat has been maintained. If you are looking for a turn-key boat, built by one of the world's leading shipyards, Rhapsody in Blue is a must see today


Exclusions:
Tools
Personal items

Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.