Broward Yachts for Sale
A luxury yacht brand with more than 50 years of experience in building high-quality boats, Broward Yachts was originally known as Broward Marine. Founded in 1948, Broward Marine began by building wooden boats that were of the highest quality and value. During the 1970s Broward Marine embraced the introduction of aluminum and went on to deliver more than 300 custom luxury yachts ranging from 60 (18m) to 164 feet (50m) from the original yard in Fort Lauderdale and second yard in Saugatuck, Michigan. Today the yard is based on America’s east coast in Dania, Florida, where the renowned builders specialize in offering full refit, repair and maintenance services.
Founded in 1948 by Frank Denison, the Fort Lauderdale shipyard Broward Marine began on the site of the former Dooley’s Basin & Dry Dock Company, a Fort Lauderdale shipyard and defense contractor which had closed after the Second World War. During Broward Marine’s first few years the yard successfully built military vessels ranging from 144 (44m) to 173 feet (53m) for the Dutch and US Navy. At the time the yard became the largest private employer in Broward County. After the end of the Korean War, the yard went on to become a service and repair yard and in 1953 the yard launched their first custom wooden motor yacht, the 53-foot (16m) STORMY III, designed by naval architect John Wells. The yard’s primary focus shifted to building custom luxury yachts, and five years later, the 82-foot (25m) JONATHAN III was built for Harry Blum, the then owner of Jim Beam Distilleries.
Broward Marine was originally known for its wooden boats, but in the mid-1970s the two shipyards embraced the introduction of aluminum and soon began building its traditional-looking yachts with the new metal in an all-aluminum series of motor yachts. The 1970s also saw Broward developing the first turbine-powered yacht, the 87-foot (27m) EVON, and in 1976 construction began on a new site on the north bank of the Kalamazoo River. The Michigan facility became so efficient it accounted for almost half of all the Broward yachts built after 1978.
During the latter part of the 20th century, Broward Marine developed a reputation for its high-quality builds and went on to build more than 300 Broward yachts between the original yard and the yard in Saugatuck, Michigan. Operating from the two yards, Broward was able to complete between six and eight builds per annum with as many as a dozen vessels under construction at any one time. At the time, the yacht-building industry was booming and with it came continuous innovations. One such modernization was the first-ever “country kitchen” galley, designed by Mrs. Denison; this remains a popular feature on yachts today. Throughout the proceeding decades, Broward Marine continued to launch many firsts, including the 112-foot (34m) BRITANNIA, which was able to reach speeds of up to 43 knots thanks to her triple Detroit Diesel engines. Then came the 130-foot (40m) tri-deck motor yacht PEGASUS, and in the early 1990s, the 156-foot (48m) BUBBA TOO, which at the time of her build was the largest US-built aluminum vessel ever commissioned.
At the end of the 20th century, Broward Marine was sold to Glenn Straub, and a decade later to Tom Lewis, who changed the name to Broward Yachts and moved all construction to a yard in Dania Beach in Broward County. The yard went on to specialize in the build of custom yachts ranging between 60 (18m) to 164 feet (50m) in length, with incredible performance. They have produced a number of notable yachts since 2000, including the 124-foot (38m) COCO LOCO (now VIVA MAS), which was delivered in 2008. The all-aluminum raised pilothouse with flybridge and an interior design by Evan K Marshall is a popular charter vessel. Today the yard specializes in offering full refit, repair and maintenance services from the shipyard in South Florida.
Broward Yachts may have finished building new custom yachts, but there are many Broward Yachts still cruising and available for charter. For further information on Broward Yachts for sale or to charter a Broward yacht, contact your Northrop & Johnson broker.
