1987 Midnight Lace 44 Flybridge Rumrunner Boat in Chester, MD 21619 US

The Midnight Lace 44 is the boat that put designer Tom Fexas on the map. The prototype was introduced at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show in 1978 and it nearly stole the show. Based on the elegant commuter-style boats of the 1920s, the Midnight Lace 44 was a state-of-the-art blend of lightweight cored construction and an efficient "penetrating" hull form with a narrow beam, a well-flared bow, and tightly rounded bilges. Built at Golden Wave Shipyards, which was founded by Hong Kong-based Cheoy Lee shipyard for Fexas' creation, the Midnight Lace was a standout from the beginning.

The 44 closely resembles boats of the 1920s, with slender, easily driven hull shapes. As Fexas put it, these were "the slippery old hulls that were developed during the age of the rumrunner, boats that were both elegant and fast." The Midnight Lace 44 has a fine entry, narrow forward sections and rounded chines to reduce drag. Buoyant after sections reduced squatting at the transom. The Lace doesn't so much plane as slice through the water.

Far Niente is hull number 20 and is the last of the 44's built. She features the popular "Rumrunner" cabin layout, and a rare, covered flybridge. She has been upgraded, meticulously maintained in a covered slip, and recently re-powered with reliable and efficient Yanmar Diesels. Cruise at a fuel-efficient 22-25 knots - with guest seating at the aft cockpit, Flybridge or the unique forward cockpit. Stylish, unconventional and sophisticated.....This Midnight Lace deserves a look.

While Far Niente is a great platform for cruising the Chesapeake, her ample accommodations, fuel-efficient power and impressive cruising speeds make her a perfect pocket-yacht - ready to take on a Great Loop or ICW south to the Bahamas adventure!