BIG BAD JOHN was originally built and commissioned for legendary entertainer and entrepreneur Jimmy Dean, reflecting a no-compromise approach to construction, layout, and outfitting from inception. As a high-profile original owner, the project received exceptional attention to detail, with an emphasis on comfort, durability, and long-range capability rather than cost-driven production decisions.

Constructed by Denison in aluminum and delivered as a raised pilothouse cockpit motoryacht, the vessel was designed to combine serious offshore performance with elegant entertaining spaces. Her interior was custom-designed by Susan Puleo, incorporating extensive marble, lacquered cabinetry, brass detailing, and custom furnishings throughout—features that remain evident today.

The yacht’s aft engine room with cockpit access, oversized tankage, stabilized platform, and redundant systems were all specified to support extended cruising and professional operation. This original build philosophy is reflected in her generous machinery spaces, service access, and robust systems layout.

Over the years, BIG BAD JOHN has remained a well-known example of the Denison pedigree, benefiting from continued care and professional operation. Her original commissioning for a prominent owner is a defining part of her identity and contributes meaningfully to her stature among classic large motoryachts.

• Main Engines: Twin Detroit Diesel 16V-149 DDEC, 2,200 HP
• Engine Hours:800 Since Last Major
• Cruise Speed: 18 knots (½ load)

• Fuel: 8,750 gallons
• Fresh Water: 1,110 gallons

• Generators: (2) Northern Lights 65 kW generators
• Starboard: 9,000
• Port: 11,000
• (2) Voltage regulators
• Isolation transformer
• (2) Hubbell 100-amp / 220V shore power connections (port & starboard aft deck)
• New gel cell batteries (1997)
• (2) 12V automatic battery chargers
• (2) 24V automatic battery chargers

• Custom cream sculptured carpeting with inlays
• Custom L-shaped off-white sectional sofa with polished brass base & lighting
• Custom off-white upholstered sofa with brass base & accent lighting
• (2) Custom swivel chairs in black & silver striped fabric
• Lucite, chrome & glass rectangular cocktail table
• (2) Coordinating ottomans stored beneath the cocktail table
• (2) Glass, brass & marble end tables and occasional table
• Custom concealed entertainment cabinet with Flatscreen TV
• Sony cassette player & Crown D-75 amplifier
• Custom Roman shades with mini blinds
• Custom overhead tray ceiling with Tivoli lighting

• Custom Roman shades with mini blinds
• Custom glass dining table with double lucite/brass pedestal base
• (6) Custom armless upholstered dining chairs
• (2) Dining chairs with arms
• Built-in buffet to port with storage & hi/lo cabinet with Mitsubishi TV
• Built-in buffet to starboard with under-counter refrigerator & wine cooler
• Centerline buffet with additional storage & lucite columns
• Display cabinet forward for crystal, flatware & serving pieces
• Lacquer finishes with brass inlays & marble surfaces
• Custom overhead tray ceiling with Tivoli lighting

• Black marble flooring
• Black granite vanity top
• Custom Cheryl Wagner gold sink & fixtures
• Custom gray wallcovering
• Accent lighting under vanity
• Mirrored niche for artwork
• Custom black Microphor head

• Custom polished controls
• Teak & holly flooring
• Custom gray upholstered panels & overhead
• Settee with storage, six drawers & footrest
• Custom chart flat to port
• Custom chrome/brass handrails & grab rails

• New double-door refrigerator/freezer
• New KitchenAid dishwasher
• New KitchenAid Stove / Oven
• Custom marble countertops
• Double sink with custom Grohe faucet
• KitchenAid Insta-Hot water system
• Aqua-Pure drinking water filtration system
• ISE garbage disposal
• Built-in double island bar with storage
• Sub-Zero under-counter refrigerator/freezer
• Cream vinyl flooring with black granite inserts
• Custom Roman shades with mini blinds & upholstered cornices
• Overhead Panasonic 13” TV
• Built-in desk with chair to port
• Sony AM/FM radio & CD player
• Oversized pantry dividing main galley & crew galley

• L-shaped settee with upholstered seating & adjustable table with granite top
• Sub-Zero double-door refrigerator/freezer
• GE convection oven & dual microwave
• Custom Corian countertops
• Kohler sink with Grohe faucet
• KitchenAid Insta-Hot water system
• Aqua-Pure drinking water filtration system
• ISE garbage disposal
• Mirrored bulkhead with pantry forward
• Panasonic 13” TV with DSS receiver & Mitsubishi VHS
• Nakamichi AM/FM stereo & CD player
• 4
• Burle TV monitor
• Remote call system
• Desk area with Canon 310 copier, Brother fax machine & Phone Mate answering machine

• Custom oversized king berth with upholstered base & headboard
• Custom cream/gold spread, shams & throw pillows
• Decorative etched mirror behind bed
• (2) Built-in almond lacquer nightstands with gold trim
• (2) Reading lamps
• Upholstered overhead panels with recessed lighting
• Plexiglass mirrored overhead soffit
• Mirrored aft bulkhead
• (2) Built-in almond lacquer dressers with gold trim
• Brass bench with upholstered seat
• Upholstered cream/gold bulkheads
• Radius doors in cream lacquer
• Entertainment center with Mitsubishi 20” TV/VCR
• Sony 5-disc CD player, Yamaha tuner, Sony dual cassette player, RCA DSS
• His & hers cedar-lined closets
• Custom Roman shades

• Marble flooring
• Jacuzzi tub in her bath
• Enclosed steam shower with green marble walls & Kohler fixtures in his bath
• Green marble bullnose vanities & almond lacquer vanities with gold trim
• Kohler gold sinks & fixtures
• Mirrored medicine cabinets
• (2) Microphor heads

• Queen berth with custom headboard, spread & shams
• Custom seafoam green wallcoverings
• Entertainment center with Panasonic 13” TV, VHS, Sony stereo & CD player
• Built-in birdseye maple nightstands & 3-drawer dresser with gold hardware
• Built-in birdseye maple vanity
• (2) Reading lamps
• Cedar-lined closet with wine storage
• Private en-suite bath with cream marble flooring
• Tub & enclosed shower with jacuzzi, gold fixtures, Microphor head

• Twin berths with upholstered lavender headboards & bases
• Custom upholstered spreads, shams & pillows
• Built-in birdseye maple nightstand with gold hardware
• (2) Wall-mounted reading lights
• Panasonic 13” TV & VCR
• Custom lavender wallcovering
• Built-in birdseye maple dresser & vanity with mirror
• Entertainment center with Panasonic TV/VCR, Sony stereo & CD player
• Double cedar-lined closet
• Private en-suite bath with pink marble enclosed shower, gold fixtures & Microphor head

• Captain’s cabin forward with queen berth, hanging locker, drawer storage & private head with stall shower
• (2) Additional crew cabins (port & starboard) with upper/lower berths, hanging lockers & private heads
• Built-in pantry storage
• Panasonic 13” TV with VCR
• Sony radio/CD player