News: The NEW Browards!

Three months after taking over as the new owner of Broward Yachts in Dania Beach, Tom Lewis announced that the company will build three new lines of yachts ranging from 120 feet to 160 feet. The newly designed Broward Yacht models, priced from $10 million to $20 million, are the main element in the new owner's plan to revive the boatyard as one of America’s premier builders of megayachts. Lewis is a real estate developer from Miami who bought the 10-acre yard in March after leasing a Broward yacht and later deciding to buy one for himself.

Founded more than five decades ago, the boatyard, formerly called Broward Marine Inc., was one of the first producers of megayachts. In recent years, however, production and sales at the yard, which has made more than 200 yachts, have fallen off. Other South Florida companies build yachts and smaller boats, but Broward Yachts is the area's only producer of megayachts, or luxury vessels measuring 80 feet or larger. Lewis aims at capturing a share of the U.S. and international megayacht market, which has been growing in recent years.

The 120-foot model, now under construction, has a raised pilot house, large living and dining areas, five staterooms and can sleep 10 guests. Priced at $10 million, it has a country kitchen that seats eight, marble or granite bathrooms and can carry up to a crew of eight. Buyers have a choice of interior layouts, luxury furniture and other decor. Continued...


Broward 120’ Raised Pilot House Yacht...

Specifications:

LOA: 120’-00”
LWL: 105’-08”
Beam: 24’-00”
Draft: 6’-03”
Max Speed: 22 Knots
Cruise Speed: 18 Knots
Fuel: 7,500 Gallons
Water: 1100 Gallons
Grey: 600 Gallons

Accommodations:

Master: on Deck
Guests: 10
4 Guest Staterooms
Jacuzzi
Optional: Skylight
Crew: 5/6

Mechanical:

Engines: Caterpillar C32 (Rated 1825 hp @ 2300 rpm)
Generators: Northern Lights
Steering: Jastram
Anchor: Dual Maxwell
Water-Maker: 2 x 1200GDP

120' Rendering...

Since assuming control in March, Lewis also has invested in new equipment and upgrades at the boatyard, restarted its yacht maintenance, repair and refit business and hired additional personnel, including some former Broward Marine employees who had left the yard. So far, Lewis has increased the work force from 22 to 40, and plans to have a head count of about 150 a year from now as production increases. He hired a new design chief to work with the in-house design team, and brought back two key employees -- the former heads of production and engineering -- who had left the company.

Broward is building two 120' yachts and a 160' model. The first of the new Broward 120' models will be finished in 15 months, with others to follow. Lewis' team also completed work on a 106-foot Broward yacht from the earlier line that is priced at $7 million. "The last of the former Broward series is going out the door while the first of the new line coming out," Lewis said. Broward previously has sold more than 40 of the 106-foot model, which is being replaced with the new 120' yacht. Continued...


Broward 137’ Tri-Deck Motor Yacht...

Specifications:

LOA: 137’-00”
LWL: 105’-08”
Beam: 26’-06”
Draft: 7’-06”
Max Speed: 20 Knots
Cruise Speed: 14 Knots
Fuel: 9,000 Gallons
Water: 1100 Gallons
Gray: 900 Gallons

Accommodations:

Master: on Deck
Guests: 10
4 Guest Staterooms
Jacuzzi
Crew: 7/8

Mechanical:

Engines: MTU16v2000 (Rated 2000 hp @ 2300 rpm)
Generators: Northern Lights
Steering: Jastram
Anchor: Dual Maxwell
Water-maker: 2 x 1600GDP

137' Rendering...

The previous owner, Glenn F. Straub, owner of the Palm Beach Polo Club in Wellington and Miami Arena, bought Broward from its founder, the late Frank Denison, in 1998 in a deal valued at $40 million. During Straub's tenure, 15 yachts were delivered over 5 years.

Broward Yachts was one of the first producers of megayachts in the US. The company was founded in 1948 by Frank and Gertrude Denison, who began making wooden minesweepers. In the 1950s, Broward built a 95-ft. pleasurecraft and in doing os, set a path for further luxury yacht development. The yard has produced over 200 Broward yachts. Continued...


Broward 160’ Tri-Deck Motor Yacht...

Specifications:

LOA: 160’-00”
LWL: 140’-07”
Beam: 28’-00”
Draft: 8’-06”
Max Speed: 20 Knots
Cruise Speed: 14 Knots
Fuel: 14,000 Gallons
Water: 5000 Gallons
Gray: 2000 Gallons

Accommodations:

Master: on Deck
Guest: 12
5 Guest Staterooms
Jacuzzi
Crew: 11/12

Mechanical:

Engines: MTU16v2000 (Rated 2400 hp @ 2450 rpm)
Generators: Northern Lights
Steering: Jastram
Anchor : Dual Maxwell
Water-maker: 2 x 2400GDP

160' Rendering...

"Broward has been a cornerstone of the Broward County marine industry for many years," said Frank Herhold, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. "For decades, Broward set the standard of excellence for luxury yacht building in South Florida. And now with Tom Lewis' commitment and resources, the Broward brand will once again be restored to a level of customer satisfaction associated only with the finest yacht builders in the world."

With his background in real estate development, Lewis is focused on maintaining and preserving the Broward mega yacht marina, which serves as a considerable economic engine for Broward County and the region's yachting industry. As a result, this decision will also safeguard jobs at the marina and promote continued economic expansion within the industry. Continued...

Photo: The entrance to Broward Marine with "Insatiable" in the background, undergoing maintenance...

The first of the new 120's is in the framing process, seen here under Broward's shed in their Dania Beach facility. The yard, with 11 boat slips is being revitalized to continue with repair and refit services. The first of the 120's is scheduled to splash within the next 12-14 months.

Photo: The yellow structure seen underneath this inverted hull is a framing jig...

Looking west from within the shed, this partially completed hull will be the last of the 106' series. To the right, are three levels of access to the yachts under construction. The ground floor contains the sheet metal shop, CNC machines and welding equipment. The second level is for carpentry and wood shaping. The third level is for access to the tri-deck models. <end>

Photo: The hulls are moved about on an "air-cushion" dolly, the blue support structure seen underneath this partially constructed hull...

September 2005: Updated Contruction Images...

During the recent launch of Broward's "Soulmate", a tour of Broward's shed revealed progress on the new 120' hull & superstructure. Here's one of the 120' hulls completed sheeted...

The superstructure, in the bones, is beginning to take shape...

The flybridge arch is beginning to take shape as well...

This is the other 120' hull that is further along in the completion stages...

Not your typical boarding ladder, this is the opening in the bottom of the newest 120' hull to allow access for workers...