1956 96' Broward originally known as ALISA V...

It took until Aug of 2022 to finally purchase the 1956 96' Broward originally known as ALISA V.
After 59 years, the name has been changed back to the original. After 67 years in the sea, the hull is completely tight and almost rot free. It was built using lamination techniques for the planking, frames, stringers and floor beams.

The naval architect was John H Wells, and his last commissioned project. The interior architecture was done by Fellheimer and Wagner of Grand Central Station fame. The cost was $500,000 in 1956.

The research is producing a lot of interesting history including high level meetings in Venezuela, Cuba and the United States during the Eisenhower administration. This is probably the most significant post-war yacht of the United States.

Past guests include Richard and Pat Nixon and their daughters, Bebe Rebozo, Bob Hope, and a long list of other corporate and social bigwigs.

It was sold in June 1964 in Palm Beach, after which the new owner began to make the long journey to California. He had to take refuge in Guantanamo Bay during a hurricane. It's spent the last three plus decades in slips in Southern California with the engine's decommission.

I'm beginning to long process of getting it running and selectively restoring and conserving the original elements

More pics of the 1956 96' Broward originally known as ALISA V...

Beautiful project, and congrats for doing it!

Wow! That sure has some history to her.
Well worth the effort .
Sure is a beautiful yacht.

Poo, poo the Naysayers.. don’t let them get to you.

If I worried what others thought, I be playing it safe somewhere in a boring life. But here I am with a far fetched dream that came true.
I never knew that one could fall in love with an inanimate object...

91'AWL 96' LOA 147 GT. Keel was laid February of 1956. Launched Sept '56. I'm working on it in Long Beach now.

Great project Mark! Keep us posted with plenty of pix.

Mark, a beautiful yacht, be proud of your dedication in preserving a true classic. btw love the rotary dial phone

ALISA V is featured half way through the video

This is a word of warning to fiberglass and epoxy enthusiasts.
Consider that the Broward has been in the water for 67 years without significant rot issues. We pulled up floor panels to find bilges unattended to and or filled with hundreds of gallons of old water, musty smells, decommissioned bronze and iron tankage, and only ONE working bilge pump.
No rot, EXCEPT for the rear skeg blocks and adjacent framework.
Someone several years ago, upon installing some new (stainless) skeg bolts, decided to coat the blocks and bilge area with epoxy or polyester resin. That encapsulation caused water to be trapped in the wood there which caused destruction of the blocks, the floor frame, beam and parts of the inner planking.
The rest of the hull is in very good condition.
We'll replace the blocks and frame on haul out later this year. Never encapsulate wood where it cannot breath. Waterproofing the outside of a boat is ok, but the moisture must have a path out on the opposite side via porous one part finishes.
And for God sakes, Man.... Keep your bilges clean and ventilated!!

Just returned from 3 lovey weeks on staying and working aboard. I spent a couple days in the 4’ deep bilge in the master and aft guest stateroom compartment. 5 watertight compartments in all, with steal bulkheads.
Some areas looked like they hadn’t been drained or their limber holes cleaned in decades.

Stripping glue, foam and awful grey fabric off of the main salon walls, which are paneled in rare Brazilian Rosewood. Hard to believe the previous owner did that…

Congrats. Great find!