Sail Number: 1
Type: Schooner
LOA: 56’0″ / 17.06m – LOD: 43’0″ / 13.10m – LWL: 32’8″ / 9.90m – Beam: 11’8″ / 3.55m – Draft: 6’8” / 2.03m – Hull Number: 1380731 – Designer: John G. Alden – Design Number: 253 B – Original Name: Picaroon – Current Owner: John Williams – Year Launched: 1925 – Built By: T.H. Soule, South Freeport Maine – Hull Material: Wood – Displacement: 33661 – Ballast: 8806 outside iron/700 inside iron – Sail Area: 1034 ft² / 96.06 m²
Historical:
Designed by John G. Alden and built alongside her often confused sistership Heart’s Desire by T.H. Soule of South Freeport Maine. Venus was first commissioned in 1925 as Picaroon.
Lifelong labor of love to keep her sailing
Bill Broughton’s passion was his beloved Alden schooner “Venus”. He loved being aboard her whether sailing or in port. He purchased her in 1954 and has owned her for 53 years. He enjoyed sharing his Venus with family and friends over the years sailing on beautiful Pensacola Bay and sharing his delightful boathouse on Bayou Chico. He helped to create many special sailing memories for family and friends.
Bill has been a member of the Pensacola Yacht Club since 1954. He looked forward to meeting his friends for lunch Tuesday through Friday at the “round table”. He was voted an Honorary Member in 2001 and carried the honor with pride. He was chairman of the PYC Heritage Room helping to collect a lasting history of his much-loved club.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: (1954-2007) William J. Broughton, Jr – Pensacola Yacht Club .
First Mate: Charlie Brooks
Racing Crew: Tom and Dick Pace
Owner/Guardian: John Williams