Volvo Penta IPS Drives Offered on New 40z

Click on picture at left to download PDF

Innovative computer-controlled, twin Volvo Penta IPS pod drives are now offered as an option on the 40z. MJM expects several of the initial six boats will be equipped with these pod drives, which are robustly built of low maintenance bronze. Standard propulsion is twin sterndrives. Both drive systems are independently operated by computer at idle speeds for ease of maneuvering in terms of rpm, direction and forward-reverse gears to outperform any normal fixed twin screw boat in close quarters... all with a single joystick.

The 40z is built with a high tech, pre-preg, vacuum-set, and oven post-cured Kevlar/Epoxy/Corecell laminate for exceptional strength and fuel economy. Fuel burn at 25 knots will be half that of other 40 footers at 15-16 gph, with average usage in the 5-6 gph range. Beam of the 40z is 12', so no chase car is needed and shipping costs are no more than a 29 footer.

MJM Enters Asia-Pacific Market

29z Hull #23 is on its way to MJM's newly established dealership, MJM Yachts Hong Kong and its principal, Joseph "Joey" Liao. This boat is an Express with Open Cockpit, underwater lights and wake board tow point to take advantage of the superb clear water recreational and diving opportunities near uninhabited islands about 40 miles off the China coast. "It's just not possible to find a boat like the 29z in China with the offshore capability, performance, comfort, fuel efficiency and styling to address this market", says Liao. MJM Yachts Hong Kong has responsibility for mainland China and Taiwan markets. He is pictured here at the US Powerboat Show. MJM Yachts Hong Kong will have a booth at the Hong Kong Marina Cove Boatshow (Nov 30 - Dec 2). See CONTACT info.

MJM Sales Strong in Fall Boatshows

Availability is rapidly diminishing for deliveries before July 1, 2008, thanks to exceptionally strong sales from Maine Boats & Harbor, Newport, Norwalk and Annapolis Boatshows. 15 boats have been sold since September 1 and only 5-29z production slots remain. It's anticipated that three Florida Shows, the Ft.Lauderdale International Boatshow (Oct 25-29), Ft. Myers (Nov 8-11) and St. Petersburg (Nov 29-Dec 2) will fill out the rest of the order book.

Seacraft Classics named Official Model Builder

Click on picture at left to enlarge.

There's nothing like a beautiful model in a lighted display case to grace either home or office. Seacraft Classics of Port Hadlock, Washington is named the Official Model Builder for MJM Yachts. Proprietors Howard & Suzanne own 29z #4. This link will take you right to their site: www.seacraftclassics.com/custom/mjm.html where you can see 34z and 29z models and place an order.

MJM Announces Open Cockpit Sterndrive Model

Two "Open-Cockpit" models with transom door have been delivered with 2 additional boats on order. The engine box height is the same as the boarding steps and pilothouse settees, so is convenient for scampering around the boat when playing a fish. Cushions are provided for the engine cover as well as the boarding steps to extend the settees to berth length.

What's in a Name?

Under "List of Boats" above, you'll be able to find an updated list of 54 boat names and hailing ports, which includes both 34z's and 29z's. It's always fun to see what people name their boats and where they are from. This link also works.

NEW 29z Twin Outboard Model Debuts at Miami

The outboard model is available with 2 decks; (1) With wrap-around seating as shown, or (2) with an open cockpit suitable for fishing.

Both the 34z and this model of the 29z will be in slip 570 of the Sea Isle Marina (Marriott), which is the first slip on the southernmost pier of the show, near the causeway. The boatshow 29z is equipped with twin 225 Yamaha 4-Stroke engines.

Delivery Captain Rates the 29z Near Perfect after 650nm

Capt. Doug Sanders has driven just about everything during his 35 years as a delivery captain. Here's his letter describing his opinion of the boat, which you can read by clicking on this link.

29z Boat Test Data

Chesapeake Bay Magazine's and Boating's John Page Williams put the 29z through its paces on the Bay. People continue to be amazed how much performance we're getting and how quiet the boat is with the Volvo D4 260 HP Duoprop sterndrive. 80 decibels at 23 knots and 33 knot top speed. As for fuel economy, the 29z burns 8 gph at 25 knots vs. the 34z's 11-12 gph. At 30 knots, the 29z burns the same 11 gph that the 34z burns at 24-25 knots. At 5.8 knots, the range is nearly 1100 miles. See the Chart.

NEW 29z Completes Sea Trials

The first 29z was launched on Tuesday, October 17. Six people were aboard with full fuel and water tanks and the boat still met expected performance parameters of 32 knot top speed, 11 gph at 29 knots (Volvo Cruise) and 9 gph at 25 knots (MJM Cruise). The 29z got the thumbs up from designer Doug Zurn, Bob Johnstone, Mark Lindsay and Scott Smith with acclaims from all present. The boat was hauled out the same day to be completed Wednesday in the shop. where interior photos were taken. The boat left for the Ft. Lauderdale Boatshow at 10AM Thursday morning and is scheduled to move into the show before 9AM Saturday, October 21. (Photo by Jon Knowles).

MJM Featured in 2 Stories with Designer Doug Zurn in Another!!

The Feb/Mar issue Professional Boatbuilder Magazine features the MJM 34z in two articles: The first describes the creation of the design and the latter goes into great detail to describe why the 34z is different from all other powerboats. Click on www.proboat-digital.com/proboat/200602/ then 'Contents' page 52 "Build it and They Will Come"; Page 66 "Smooth Operators"; and and in a 3rd article on Page 104 "Single Skin or Sandwich" describes the exceptional strength, lighter weight and higher cost of the 34z laminate (Cored Kevlar/E-Glass epoxy) vs. the competition. And, just published in the April/May issue is the "The Zurn File", an excellent report on designer, Doug Zurn. Click on http://www.proboat-digital.com/proboat/200604/ then 'Contents' page 42.

Publishers Feature J Boats and MJM Yachts

Professional Boatbuilder Magazine in consecutive issues features Bob Johnstone's two companies. "J is for Johnstone" came first in the Dec/Jan issue and can be read on-line at www.proboat-digital.com/proboat/200512/. Also, MBI has followed up their Herreshoff Sailboats publication with the beautifully illustrated, 156 page book "J/Boats, Sailing to Success" written by Anthony Dalton. The book is available from Amazon.com.

34z Front Page News at Fort Lauderdale Boatshow

On opening day of the Fort Lauderdale International Boatshow, the MJM 34z was the BIG NEWS for its fuel efficient design, a stand-out among the 1400 boats valued at $1.6 billion in the world's largest boatshow.

Click HERE for full article.
Need the free Acrobat reader? Get it here.

NEW for 2006 - Express HT model

Express HT model to debut at Annapolis Boat Show (October 13-16). Hull #25 in the new Awlgrip Downeast Red color will also sport a new look for a 34z. This is the first 34z Express Hardtop ("HT") model to be built and when you see it...certainly not the last.

On-Line 34z Owner Manual

December 25 - This comprehensive PDF version of the 34z Owner Manual may now be accessed online. A complete 51 page version is available for download (note: 11 megabyte file}This living document will be updated from time to time with owner, design and builder input with the latest date shown at the beginning of this paragraph. The current edition features the electronic controls for the new Yanmar 480 HP engine being installed in hulls 30 through 36.

Keep Score on Boat Tests - Before Buying

It seems that people who are the most thorough in their evaluations, end up buying a 34z. So, MJM's Bob Johnstone created this 40 item check list as a reminder, record and scorecard of what to look for in their next powerboat. Click on this link to download and print your copy.

Download the checklist
Need the free Acrobat reader? Get it here.

New 34z Sportfish

MJM launches its first Sportfish, a single engined Down East style boat in Stars & Stripes blue named Kiana Luna, selected as their dream boat at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show by its Boca Raton owners. She is designed to be both a comfortable cruiser for two and active fishing boat to share with their son. The maiden voyage was made in less than two weeks from Boston to Boca turning heads at docks in fun ports like Newport, New York City, Cape May, Annapolis, Norfolk, Charleston and Hilton Head.

MJM 34z Featured in Six Articles

April 25 - It has been "The Month of the 34z" in the nation's boating press. Power & Motoryacht, Motorboating, Boating and Nor'westing all ran feature boat reviews in their March or April editions. May Yachting has a picture and description of the 34z in their Miami Boatshow coverage. And, 34z designer Doug Zurn is profiled in the May issue of Maine Boats & Harbors.

Download the boat review excerpts
Need the free Acrobat reader? Get it here.

Patent No. US D475,338 S

Washington DC, June 3 - The Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent today for the "ornamental design for a motorboat" embodying the signature look of the 34z in its Down East, Express and Sportfish models as well as in extended versions. This patent number will be appear on the Builder's plate of every MJM boat built
See certificate

Best Built Boat in America?

34z is engineered to exceed Draft 2003 CE Mark (ISO) Certification Standards for an Ocean Category A offshore boat performing at 50+ knots. Click on the link below to read the structural analysis by Burke Design, detailing the incredibly high standards of construction.

Picture shows the solid epoxy/glass keel and chines with "overbuilt" grid system for single 440 hp Yanmar that mounts on the wide beams in the center.

Read the structural analysis