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Original Midnight Lace info...

Discussion in 'Midnight Lace Yacht' started by meblom, Jun 27, 2011.

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  1. meblom, Jun 27, 2011
    #1
    meblom

    meblom New Member

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    Hi folks: newbie here.

    I'm working on a project involving the original Fexas 44' Lace, and was trying to track down the approximate original sales pricing. I know these were done on a custom basis by the Cheoy Lee yard, but I was hoping to get a ballpark on the original new cost of a GM-powered flybridge model.

    I've Googled the topic so much, there's smoke coming from my laptop, so I thought I'd check w/ the experts.

    Thanks!

    MB
  2. yachtbrokerguy, Jun 27, 2011
    #2
    yachtbrokerguy

    yachtbrokerguy Guest

    Unfortunately many of the people involved in the original Midnight Lace project have died. I used to work for Rex Yachts, but both Don Canavan and Tom Fexas have died. Don convinced Tom Fexas to build these as production boats. I know we had lots of old Midnight Lace sales information at Rex but the office was closed years ago. There used to be a Cheoy Lee owners website with a Midnight Lace section that you might find, and you might check with the Cheoy Lee yard. Try Fexas Design which might still be open in Stuart, FL.
  3. Laurence, Jun 27, 2011
    #3
    Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Midnight Lace

    For those not familiar with this Tom Fexas design, see photo:

    Attached Files:

  4. SHAZAM, Jun 27, 2011
    #4
    SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Great looking boats. Does anyone remember the 63 Lace?
  5. morbert, Jun 27, 2011
    #5
    morbert

    morbert New Member

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    That was a very easily driven hull form. She got up on plane quickly. She had a nice neutral attitude and did not need much if any tab. Carried a small wake. Though she did not have much beam she was a nice small family cruiser and kids loved the bow cockpit.

    I want to say in the 500,000 range. Try Joe Collins at Luke Brown in Fort Lauderdale. He was working at Rex back in those days.
  6. meblom, Jun 27, 2011
    #6
    meblom

    meblom New Member

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    Thanks for the replies, guys. Will continue to search. There's only one 44 on the market right now (a handful of 52s are available), and it's a little under 300. Was trying to determine how these have held their value.

    Shazam: I know they built a single 65' (in a Brazilian yard, if I remember correctly), but didn't know about a 62. Was it a Hong-Kong boat?

    Fexas designs were VERY distinctive. They're very easy to pick out in a crowd (There was a big Fexas Cheoy Lee at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin, when I was there two weeks ago. Pure Fexas).
  7. Laurence, Jun 27, 2011
    #7
    Laurence

    Laurence Senior Member

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    Forward Cockpit

    In addition to the flybridge and cockpit seating, some boats had a cockpit far forward at the bow. One boat in Seattle also had an addition helm in the forward cockpit.
  8. SHAZAM, Jun 27, 2011
    #8
    SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Yes it was the brazilian boat. Was it a 62, 63 or 65? It was a great looking boat but built like crap.
  9. CaptTom, Jun 27, 2011
    #9
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    I wrote a story on TFYD on how the company continued after Tom passed away. During a tour of the studio I was allowed to take photos. Here's the layout for a 60' ML.
    Fexas was a legend in the industry, designing for Cheoy Lee, Mickelson, Palmer Johnson, ML line, and others.

    Attached Files:

  10. Fireman431, Jun 27, 2011
    #10
    Fireman431

    Fireman431 Senior Member

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    I just (2 weeks ago) saw an identical one to that with the Midnight Lace name painted on it...but now I can't rememberif it was in Jacksonville or St. Augustine.
  11. meblom, Jun 28, 2011
    #11
    meblom

    meblom New Member

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    Hargrave is making available an updated version of the Lace, thought it's considerably more beamy, and heavier than the original.

    From an exterior design perspective, I don't think there's been a prettier mid-size design since the 44' was introduced.
  12. morbert, Jun 28, 2011
    #12
    morbert

    morbert New Member

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    I would be interested too see what the 44 would be like with IPS? Ultra efficient I would think.
  13. meblom, Jun 28, 2011
    #13
    meblom

    meblom New Member

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    You'd have to wonder what Fexas would think about IPS. He was, in so many ways, such a purest. A real K.I.S.S. kinda guy.

    That hull is already super slippery. It'd be interesting to see what fuel burn would be w/ pods, huh?
  14. Regina Fexas, Sep 20, 2011
    #14
    Regina Fexas

    Regina Fexas New Member

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    Midnight Lace Info

    Hi everybody. I am the wife of the late Tom Fexas, I have a lot of info about his work and the Midnight Lace. If i can be at any help let me know.
  15. YachtForums, Sep 20, 2011
    #15
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Publisher/Admin

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    Hi Regina and welcome to YachtForums! If you do a search under your last name, you will find many a Fexas fan here. We are all saddened that Tom is no longer with us, but we're glad you found us.
  16. Regina Fexas, Sep 20, 2011
    #16
    Regina Fexas

    Regina Fexas New Member

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    Thank You! It is nice to know that Tom is still remembered!
  17. Pascal, Sep 20, 2011
    #17
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Few boats catch the eye like a Midnight Lace!! absolutely gorgeous lines!

    there is a 60ish Cheoy Lee here at Dinner Key, you can see right away that it is a Fexas design...

    He, along with a handful of others incl. Hargrave, will always be remembered!
  18. dsharp, Sep 20, 2011
    #18
    dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    If they had a boat builders hall of fame he would certainly be inducted. His monthly editorials in one of the boating publications were the best part of the magazine. I never met the man but, admired his work for years.
  19. CTdave, Sep 21, 2011
    #19
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    This boat docks next to me a few times during the summer. The owner lives here in Greenwich, CT & the boat spends most of the summer out on Shelter Island, NY. The owner is a really nice guy so I'll call my marina & ask for his contact info. I bet he knows quite a bit.
  20. ayachtguy, Sep 21, 2011
    #20
    ayachtguy

    ayachtguy Senior Member

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    Updated Lace

    Back in 2005, Bill Gross in Seattle had Tom Fexas update the Midnight Lace by stretching the beam from a skinny 13' out to 16'6", which made a vast difference inside. He got rid of the early Renault 240hp diesels and put in a pair of Cat C-9s of 500hp, and he squared the stern up so there wasn't as much wasted space. But it still looked like the early Laces, and it was beautifully built. The first one built had a three-stateroom layout with a forward master, and another layout had the master opposite the galley with two cabins plus an office. The forward cockpit was equipped with throttles and shifters plus an autopilot control, so you could run it from the bow, which was great fun. Don't know how many were built, and I suspect it was one of Fexas' last projects, but it was definitely sweet.
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