Ken Denison: Frankly Speaking

From the very beginning of their boatbuilding career, Frank and Gertrude Denison walked a fine line. Now speaking in his own words, their son Ken Denison reflects on the brave decision to buy a yard and the strength that saw them through.

As the title of this magazine suggests, our publication’s reference to Frank Denison serves as a standard for us to inform and to speak, quite frankly, about all things yachting. As a preacher friend of mine always says, “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.

Frank Denison would often, whether on the shop floor with his crew or in a sales situation with clients, quickly cut to the heart of the matter like a surgeon wielding a scalpel. While some were offended by his ‘frank’ talk, his intention, I believe, was a reflection of his personality and work ethic that would ultimately credit him to be known as a production genius in large ship and custom yacht construction.

I believe that the success of Broward Marine, as well as the yachts that were built, reflect his basic and core trait. And while custom yacht building certainly can’t be described as a “plain thing”, Frank and Gertrude made sure that, within the basic construction and design of these yachts, there was a simple and understandable design that would allow their owners to enjoy their boats, maintain them and, in the end, continue in this sport of yachting. They did this by keeping the boat designs manageable and built with an understanding of how their owners would use and enjoy them.

From the very beginning of their boatbuilding careers, my parents’ baptism into this industry could have easily failed. Almost immediately after buying the yard in 1948, they bid and won a contract for the U.S. and Dutch Navies for seven 144’ minesweepers and four 172’ minesweepers Contractually, these had to be launched every 45 days for the smaller class ships and 90 days for the larger ones.

Neither of them had experience in this kind of construction, nor did they inherit a workforce that did. Only 25 employees were at the yard when they bought it and it grew by several hundred, along with an equal amount of Navy personnel a year or so after they closed on the yard. Within four years they were the largest employer in Broward County and the largest defense contractor in the state of Florida. 

While they were in the middle of this program, John Wells, the preeminent naval architect and yacht designer in the U.S. at that time, visited the yard. He was impressed by the quality of the minesweepers and the workforce that seemed perfect for what would become his design for Elmer From the very beginning of their boatbuilding career, Frank and Gertrude Denison walked a fine line.

Now speaking in his own words, their son Ken Denison reflects on the brave decision to buy a yard and the strength that saw them through. Bobst’s ALISA V, a 96’ striking design that would be the largest yacht built in the U.S. since WWII.

The same keel and frame designs that were laminated for the Navy served as the yacht’s construction standards. After ALISA V was launched in 1956, the yard used these military service standards for all of its designs moving forward.

For five decades, up until the yard’s sale in 1999, this mantra of “never building the same boat twice” was not about keeping each one different, but rather based on the philosophy that the yard’s ability to refine their product could never grow or stay ahead of the competition without learning how each boat could be improved.

While other builders rested on their standards, it was a well-known fact that the Broward standard was to continually grow to incorporate the latest technologies, designs and layouts. In 1993, it led the yard to hold the largest order book in the world for large yacht construction, the first U.S. yacht builder to receive this distinction.

We hope to bring you more insights in each edition of FRANK, to speak frankly about the industry of yachting and our family’s place in it.

“The Broward standard was to continually grow to incorporate the latest technologies, designs and layouts.”

From intelligent debate to cutting-edge science, and risky sports to surreal charter experiences, FRANK does not shy away from the awkward, controversial, or questionable details. Brazen at times, amusing in spirit, and always transparent in discussion, the focus is on discovering new angles and enjoying every minute. And, of course, always being ‘frank’ about the conclusions.

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