New developments for Broward Shipyard

Broward shipyard, USA, has emerged from under the radar to reveal two new designs and a major new motoryacht conversion.

The yard, which has delivered 109 superyachts over its 68 year history, but has been quiet in recent years, made several new announcements at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) 2011 signaling its intended renaissance. As well as working on the conversion of a custom built 29.8m motoryacht Cecelia Mae into a 35m, they have also presented two new design concept series, which are available for construction.

The first of these concepts is a new collaboration with award winning designer, Donald Starkey of Donald Starkey Design, to launch the Columbus line of expedition yachts. The choice of name ‘Columbus’ is a strong statement about the yard’s ambitions and its support for US yacht building. A spokesperson said:

“We named this new series of motoryachts Columbus as it is our aim to bring the clients back to the US for new construction projects not only at our shipyard but at the yards of our American colleagues.”

Christopher Columbus introduced awareness of the American continents in Europe, so the name is appropriate for the current situation where clients need to be converted from European to US yards for their builds.

Launching the line is the Columbus 146 concept, or 44.5m semi-displacement motoryacht. Designed in co-operation with Broward’s clients and Donald Starkey, the yacht will be engineered and built using Broward’s in house team. With aluminium construction for lightweight performance, she will cruise at 14 knots and offer a range of over 3,000nm. Her large 9.15m beam will also reduce the draught and provide access to ‘the most remote and shallow waters in the Caribbean and the keys’. 

Delivery time upon signing for construction is approximately 24 to 28 months.  




Rendering of the Columbus 146

Following the Starkey collaboration will be a team up with another major designer, Theo Werner of Werner Yacht Design. Broward is developing the Cetecean series of motoryachts and will be releasing information over the coming weeks.



Broward's plans are unveiled at a time when the US industry is making strong efforts to get back on its feet, with campaigns such as Come Sea U.S launched by Marine Industries Association of South Florida at FLIBS. Such bold and positive steps can only help restore the health of the American superyacht industry and we will watch with interest developments to come from Broward and its fellow shipyards.

Related Links

Broward Shipyard Website

Donald Starkey Designs Profile | Donald Starkey Designs Website

Werner Yacht Design Profile | Werner Yacht Design Website

Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) Profile | MIASF Website

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