Summary
The 2009 Paragon Rhapsody, a 94′ motoryacht, underwent a 14-month interior refit at Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding in Thomaston during 2017-19 that included the addition of an enclosed flybridge, relocation of the steering station, and significant interior work.
The refit, overseen by 35-year Lyman-Morse Project Manager Bill Belyea, involved installing all-new custom African hardwood burl veneers and a redesign that included enclosing the entire flybridge. The resulting so-called “skylounge” creates a third interior level to the boat that features a dedicated helm station, two settees, additional galley, camera locker, head, and other features. The skylounge sits atop the 200,000-pound Rhapsody, yet reduced the yacht’s total weight by approximately 3,500 pounds.
Belyea says the retrofit was part of a series of upgrades that the owners sought after living on the boat for several years. “Essentially, this was like you buy an existing house and there is always something you don’t like. So you refit it,” says Belyea. “The owners knew what they wanted and we gave them that.”
Scroll down for a photo essay of the project, from the first sketches to the stunning finished details, of Belyea’s “Rhapsody in Burl.”
Specifications
- loa 94'
- beam 21'8"
- draft 5'11"
- displacement 200,000 pounds
- fuel capacity 4000 gallons
- water capacity 750 gallons
- type Motoryacht
- builder Paragon Motor Yachts
- year 2009
- hull material GRP
- configuration Flybridge Motor Yacht
- boat engine CAT C32 diesels (2)
- horsepower 3100 hp
- cruising speed 14 knots
- top speed 20 knots
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Working drawing of Rhapsody, with owners’ notes for an expanded skylounge, boat deck redesign, and interior hardwood refinishes.
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A look at the demolished flybridge, featuring the open deck areas prepped for construction.
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A view of the boat deck surround extension panels, before the BBQ station was installed.
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The starboard settee in its final position on the boat deck.
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A view of the flybridge surround mid way through construction. It is still held in its mold, upside down and inside out.
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The skylounge composite surround, just after it came out of its mold.
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A worker finishes off the skylounge hard top structure in the Lyman-Morse composite shop.
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A worker installs the mast on the skylounge hardtop.
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The overhead burl feature, prefit for the installation of the overhead panels.
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A worker installs access into the overhead section of the main dining room.
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Skylounge galley about halfway through construction.
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Installing the range and countertops in the main galley.
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Detail work of the skylounge galley.
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A closer look at the unique alternate docking control stations that are mounted on the port and starboard side of the vessel. Each features an additional main engine control, a bow-thruster control and a ‘window within a window” for easy viewing of hull, rails, and docks.
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The completed galley that features a drawer microwave, upgraded fridge, and granite counter tops. The cabin sole is also African Mahogany. Note the upper left “window-within-a-window” for easy docking.
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Close up of the granite and burl locker tops in the skylounge.
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The finished boat deck lounge, featuring new teak decks and the BBQ locker to port. The settee, to starboard, sits below the hardtop and aft bulkhead.
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The new galley counter top.
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The finished overhead burl feature that is now married to new overhead vinyl panels.
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After a 14-month refit at Lyman-Morse in Thomaston, Maine, the 94′ Paragon Rhapsody is stunning inside and out.
