INTRODUCING
53z
By Chris Hughes, MJM Yachts
MJM Yachts has become a prestigious icon of premium, high-tech performance yachts. Family owned and operated, MJM designs and builds inboard and outboard models in the Carolina Downeast style. They are known for their high-tech construction, a blend 32 | walstrom.com
of superior epoxy composite materials and advanced engineering. By combining state-of-the-art processes and ultra-stable and efficient hull geometry, MJMs have become world famous for their smoothness of ride, exceptional handling, and high-speed cruising comfort.
When Founder Bob Johnstone, also the co-founder of J-Boats, was looking for a powerboat after his long career in sailing, he applied what he had learned when it came to lightweight, strong, and efficient boat design. Equally important were the looks and lines of his new idea. These boats needed to be beautiful. Taking inspiration from the capable Downeast flat deck boats of the northeast, the classic and impressive PT (patrol torpedo) boats of WWII, and various other performance style boats – the core of the MJM design was imagined. To turn this idea into an actual boat required the help of a naval architect, and with the advice of son, Peter Johnstone, Bob partnered with Doug Zurn, utilizing his eye for sleek-looking designs with efficient hulls. And so, the MJM became a reality with the first model, built the 34z in 2002. Since then, the brand has evolved through various models to include the 29z, the 36z, and then, the first ISO Cat “A” Ocean rated 40-foot model, the 40z. For many in the yachting community, the 40z is considered the world’s best couples cruising yacht. Her speed, efficiency, ease of handling and innovative layout solved many of the problems that had existed in cruising boats up until that time.
