Port Sanilac Marina is proud to offer MJM Yachts

MJM Yachts are unique among their peers, truly exceptional powerboats.

MJM 29Z | MJM 34Z | MJM 36Z | MJM 40Z

MJM yachts are unique amongst their peers. Browse the information below and see their individual functionality and the philosophy behind these truly exceptional powerboats. Likened to be the 'Jaguars' of the marine world, these yachts offer a style and level of luxury that is at the same time extremely efficient. Contact Danielle for more information.

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MJM 34Z

Patented Good Looks
34z is beautiful at the dock and under way. Yacht designer Doug Zurn (the "Z") did such an artistic job creating 34z's unique appearance that a US Patent has been issued on the design. 34z features are reminiscent of some all-time favorite boats: The flared bow and reverse sheer of a Carolina Sportfisherman; the tumblehome aft of a Classic Lakes Runabout; the modified deep-V hull, sharp entry, dual lifting strakes, chine flat and 18-degree transom deadrise of the best Offshore Performance boats; and the open (with side curtains rolled up), functional pilothouse of a Maine Lobsterboat.

Strong Offshore Construction
34z may be the first Class B "Offshore" sized yacht built to exceed draft CE Mark (ISO) structural requirements for Class A Ocean going use. Mark Lindsay's Boston BoatWorks is one of the few builders in America with over 25 years experience in high-tech vacuum-bagged, post-oven-cured, epoxy/Kevlar/cored laminates. The 34z is designed to combine the latest in composite construction with the ruggedness of solid glass keel and chines. This high strength to weight ratio permits a lighter boat that's easier to handle and that has superior fuel efficiency and performance.

3 MPG Not 3 GPM
Cruising at 2500 rpm at a speed of 23+ knots (27 mph), The 34z is nearly twice as efficient as other 34-36 foot boats, burning less than 9 gallons per hour or 3 mpg (statute). Average day-in-day-out usage results in 5-6 gph consumed.

Better Performance
With a single-engine top speed over 30 knots 34z ranks high on the performance chart for Express Cruisers and Sportfishermen between 30 and 38 feet, surpassing many boats with twin engines. Power & Motoryacht Magazine measured a top speed of 35 mph. 34z accelerates from a standstill to 30 knots in less than 20 seconds. She planes at 10 knots without the digging-in-then-climbing-out-of-a-hole behavior of heavier boats. Riding angle, without use of standard trim tabs, is 3-4.5 degrees with excellent piloting visibility at all times. "Like being in a flybridge without having to climb ladders and leaving the gang below."

Brings the Outdoors In
34z lets you take advantage of those beautiful days that make up 90% of your boating time with a pilothouse having roll-up side curtains and opening windshields for maximum ventilation. Yet, if it's rainy and cold, drop the curtains to stay dry and warm, fully enclosed, cabin-cruiser style, with diesel heater or reverse-cycle air-conditioner

Shared Experience
34z is designed as a boat that can be operated single-handed. And, if you're looking for a boat that will bring people together through shared adventures, 34z superbly fulfills that role. Responsibilities are shared on a matched pair of Stidd piloting seats. Communication and navigation functions are to port.

Drier, Softer, Controlled Ride in Waves
A length to beam ratio greater than 3:1 allows a smoother transition of the modified-V shaped hull from knife-like bow entry to 18-degree transom deadrise, producing a softer entry into waves than is possible with wider boats. In addition, 34z's bow flare apart from directing airflow out and away from the pilothouse and cockpit, keeping the crew dry, does the same with spray and waves. The reserve buoyancy forward, keeps the bow from burying when running fast before waves, eliminating severe yaw (bow steer) to one side or the other, as the boat drives down one wave and punches into the backside of the next....solving the problem of many downeast designs which have deep forefoots that fight the wheel and autopilots in such conditions. 34z, by contrast, steers with the light touch of a sportscar.

Propulsion
A prop provides superior control when you need it most. BOATING Magazine (6/03) advised "...prop-powered boats track better in most conditions, especially at slower speeds and particularly when running downsea.... If your cruising ground throws a lot of rough water at you, choose the props".

Easier to Handle Alone
Reduced weight and beam make 34z easier to maneuver in-and-out of narrow slip locations or when docking, particularly with the optional bow thruster. Moving from cockpit to foredeck is secure thanks to 4 pairs of exterior handrails. (Either long (shown) or short bow rails are standard.)

Spacious Interior - Light and airy with a real sense of space, there's no feeling of being cooped-up below on the 34z. In fact, one feels invited to sit and enjoy the comfortable saloon. 34z joinerwork is crafted by the people who build custom interiors for the Cessna Citation business jet.

Satin-finished varnished cherry wood cornerposts, cabinets and bulkhead are beautifully combined with honeycomb-cored laminates. The cabin sole is gloss varnished teak & holly and counter surfaces are Corian. This is just one of 3 comfortable places where a group of friends may congregate on the 34z. Underway or for lunch in the shade, there's a roomy pilothouse that seats 6 on Stidd seats plus a pair of settees (which convert to 6.5' berths). The Adirondack stern seat and flat coamings seat another 6 people in the cockpit. One boatshow visitor commented: "This boat has more useable space than my 43 footer."

Easy to Maintain
The engine is accessible through pilothouse settee lockers or by raising the pilothouse deck on electric lifts. Deck drains capture rain and dew which then flows into the gray water system and out through the transom rather than over the side through a gap in the toerails...streaking the topsides. The only exposed teak on deck is the beautiful, and very comfortable, gloss- varnished Adirondack stern seat. When not in use the seat and cushions are protected by a snap-on cover.

Safety
A solid swim platform, with no openings, suppresses exhaust and prop noise as well as performing an important safety function. If one accidentally falls overboard with nobody near to help, the 37" telescoping swim ladder makes reboarding easy. No boat has better boarding handrails and steps as well as handrails on hardtop, cabin top, cabin sides, underneath the hardtop, on either side of the companionway entrance and overhead in the galley.

Great Storage
A soft-bottomed, rowable inflatable, such as an Avon Redcrest, can be flipped onto the roof or stored in a cockpit locker rolled-up. Golf clubs and full-size mountain bikes maybe parked inside pilothouse settee lockers.

Year-Round Joy
Only through high-tech construction can a boat be large enough for comfortable offshore passage-making and cruising...yet light enough to be transportable on its own trailer (with permits) between a winter residence south and a summer vacation cottage north.

Download Specification File (PDF Format)

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MJM 29z

Spacious Interior 6 feet of headroom in a 29 footer and still pretty? Boatshow visitors marvel at the living space below, compared to other 29 footers or even some 38 foot luxury runabouts. Generously flared bow sections, sea-going freeboard and large opening hull ports are the answer. Joinerwork is exceptionally well-crafted. Satin-finished cherry cabinets and drawers are framed and flush-mounted with Corian countertops throughout. The gloss-varnished teak & holly sole option is shown. A V-berth filler is available to create a large double berth. Shown above is the twin-berth configuration with the dual-purpose 30x15 inch table that fits either belowdecks or in the cockpit. Behind the forward backrest is storage for either bedding or the optional V-berth filler cushion. A TV cabinet option is available. Shown below is the galley. An air-conditioning duct is installed in the top of the hanging locker aft with controls on the near bulkhead. The head functions as a shower by pulling the soft-spray faucet/cord out of the sink. A second shower is located on the swim platform.

Convertible Pilothouse The 29z is the first "Downeast" boat under 30 feet with living-room-style comfort for 10 people in the cockpit, protected from the sun or rain under a hardtop and optional Bimini. The Bimini folds down onto the afterdeck to store in a boot. This boat is ideal for day touring the harbor or cruising the Intracoastal. Sea trials will demonstrate the dry and quiet ride you'll offer guests with the 29z's sterndrive. Also unique to the 29z are front windshields that fully open. Strata-glass sides roll up and store in place. The cockpit seats on either side and across the stern are nearly 7 feet long each, so are suitable as 3 additional sleeping berths . for a total of five. With side curtains on the Bimini one can create an enclosed back porch for family camping (inset above). Shown below are the standard cockpit (left) with wrap-around seating and optional open cockpit with transom door. The outboard model does not have the engine box.

Twice the Fun, Half the Fuel Chesapeake Bay Magazine tested the 29z, equipped with the 4-cylinder Volvo D4 260 HP diesel engine and counter-rotating Duo Prop sterndrive. Top speed was 33.4 knots. Fuel consumption at 23.2 knots was 7.3 gallons-per-hour or 3.2 miles per gallon with only 80 decibels of noise. No need to spend nice boating hours lined up at the pump.

Kevlar-Epoxy Construction 29z is the only 29 footer in the world that can deliver such a fuel efficient but dry and comfortable ride. This is due to its high-tech epoxy wet pre-preg Kevlar/E-glass/Corecell composite laminate, vacuum-bagged and oven-post-cured construction. This method has been perfected by Boston BoatWorks over 25 years of building custom racing yachts, including America's Cup contenders. 29z is stronger and lighter than conventional fiberglass or SCRIMP construction. The 29z is certified by the International Standards Bureau in Brussels, Belgium as a CE Mark Category B Offshore Power Yacht.

Dry, Controlled Ride in Waves A length to waterline beam ratio greater than 3:1 allows a better transition from modified V-shaped hull with knife-like entry to an 11-foot planning surface with 17-degree deadrise, producing a softer entry into waves than is possible with wider boats. 29z's bow flare, works its magic with spray and waves, keeping guests dry by directing airflow out and away from the pilothouse and cockpit. Reserve buoyancy of the flare keeps the bow up when running fast down into the backside of waves, eliminating severe yaw (bow steer) to one side or the other . solving the problem of many "Downeast" or deep-V designs which have deep fore-foots and/or a keel or shape that causes too much directional control of the hull, resulting in delayed helm response. 29z steers with the secure, predictable touch of a sportscar, properly leaning into turns and handling large seas.

Down East Model Different from the "Express", the DE model (shown below) has larger roll-up Strata Glass side-curtains in the pilothouse, providing more airflow to passengers and offering benefits such as being able to lean out while at the wheel and secure a dock line.

Spotlight The 1.25" dia. bowrail option includes a spotlight with burgee mount attachment. 29z's spotlight doesn't throw back blinding reflections from the foredeck and stainless, a common annoyance with cabin-top mountings. Safety A solid swim platform suppresses exhaust and prop noise as well as provides an important safety feature. If one falls overboard with nobody nearby to help, a 37" telescoping swim ladder with transom handle makes reboarding easy. A benefit of the sterndrive is that can be raised to clear pot warps or a fouled prop by kneeling on the platform rather than having to go swimming in 50 degree water.

Maintenance The aft seat hinges up on counter-balanced pistons to provide excellent engine access. Very few boats feature such ease of maintenance. Notice also the absence of uncovered wood on deck to varnish. Just another reason to own a 29z - spend more time boating than time preparing to go boating.

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MJM 40z- Extraordinary Offshore Performance

15 of these innovative new 40 foot yachts have been sold since introduction in January 2009.  Keys to this success are: Offshore capability as one of few vessels its size or type certified at ISO CE Mark's most seaworthy Class A Ocean rating; Quiet and dry running when cruising at speeds as high as 34 knots; Unique side-opening doors (P&S) for ease of boarding or hopping off onto a dock when landing; Mega-yacht-like single level entertaining deck and pilothouse that can seat 15 in comfort; Easy joystick maneuvering using computer-controlled twin Volvo-Penta IPS pod drives or Cummins Mercruiser AXIUS sterndrives; A very functional 6 berth layout with a large island berth stateroom, truly separate shower,  and two convertible guest cabins, counting main saloon and pilothouse; And, low maintenance costs as there is no uncovered wood on deck.

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MJM… Designed for Offshore Performance

When several 34z owners say their level of joy in driving the boat is directly proportional to the height of the waves… when an experienced boat jockey pushes a 29z in 5-8 footers and proclaims it’s the best sea boat he’s ever driven: The question arises, “How come?  What makes these boats so special?  Maybe outlining a few contributing factors would be helpful.

Low Vertical Center of Gravity.

Like a sailboat or a good sportscar, the lower you can get the center of gravity, the more stable.  A light boat with a low center of gravity will feel and behave like a much heavier boat.  For the J sailors among you who have sailed a J/42 or J/46 with carbon rig and bulb keel, the boat seems like a 5 foot longer and heavier boat than the original J/40 or J/44. A good low-slung sportscar feels more glued to the road than a heavier, tall SUV.   The low, sleek lines of the MJM line of boats, built with a light, but extremely strong wet pre-preg, vacuum-bagged and oven-post-cured epoxy/Kevlar/Eglass/Corecell laminate, reduces the overall weight…but equally important, eliminates weight high-up in the design.  The vertical center of gravity is near the waterline, instead of several feet above it…and that makes a huge difference in performance at sea.

Narrow Beam

The narrower a boat, the easier it slices through waves with less resistance or drag.  Makes sense that an 11 foot wide (10 foot BWL)  34z is less likely to pound than a 13+ foot wide Cabo of the same length, even though the Cabo weighs twice as much (11,000 vs 22,000 lbs.).

Modified Deep V

Ray Hunt pioneered the deep-V hull concept with Dick Bertram to create a design that allowed boats to go through waves at reasonably high speeds.  But, there are a couple of problems with the “deep-V” which a Zurn "modified deep-V" overcomes. A deep-V hull generally has a transom deadrise of about 20 degrees which becomes increasingly steeper toward the bow.  This deep-V is like a long keel on a sailboat. It imparts directional stability.  The boat wants to keep going in the current direction. This might be desirable in a sailboat.  But, sailboats have huge rudders to easily take a new bearing. Conversely, powerboats have very small rudders. When you try to steer a deep-V hull with a small rudder(s) in a new direction, reaction of the boat is delayed… particularly running down large waves at over 15 knots.  This is not only scary,  but a problem for effective use of autopilots, and causes lots of work for the helmsperson.

Along these same lines, only more pronounced and worrisome at higher speeds in a seaway are Downeast “lobster-boat” type hull shapes which truly have a keel.  These boats weren’t designed to do more than 12-14 knots, or less than the speed of waves.  They were designed to stay in one place, oriented to the wind while pulling lobster traps.  As builders put more horsepower into these “keel boats” with higher cabins and flybridges, boats reach an unsafe point of design where in a tight turn at cruising speed (even in smooth water) … instead of leaning into the turn…lean outward as the boats trip on their keels while their superstructure wants to keep going in the original direction.   Not a good trait for a boat offshore in waves.

There is increased drag with a deep-V or keelboat.  They don’t really have an efficient planning surface, so require more horsepower to get up and overcome resistance/drag.  In fact, the bow rise can be such in the 10-15 knot speed range as the boat attempts to climb up on a plane, that you can’t see over the boat in congested waters.  And, you wonder why people want flybridges?

Furthermore, a deep-V hull tends to be less stable in waves with pronounced rolling when stationary or at slow speeds.

Doug Zurn has created a “modified deep-V” hull shape with a 17-18 degree transom deadrise that is carried forward 1/3 the length of the hull and is then warped into a sharper 55 degree deadrise at the cutwater.  The last 1/3 of the boat serves as the planning surface and provides the form stability lacking in a “deep-V” without sacrificing the ability to go through waves.

Carolina Bow Flare

The bow design results from MJM owner Bob Johnstone’s time in Charleston SC and trying to deal with running inlets in heavy weather, where the waves become steep and control is critical.  With breakwaters close at hand on either side, it’s important that a boat respond and not bury its bow to yaw off to one side or the other.  The purpose of the flared bow with lots of reserve buoyancy is to get over the wave ahead as you charge down the face of the wave you are riding into the back of the next one ahead… not submarine into it.  Doug Zurn nailed the shape perfectly.  Often it seems the wave comes to within an inch of climbing over the bow, only to fan out (Buddy Davis ad style) to either side.  The combination of this shape plus dual lifting strakes and chine flats, gets an MJM over the wave ahead without sticking the bow under with subsequent loss of control or the need to throttle back anticipating disaster or taking green water over the roof.

Many powerboats in the Downeast/Trawler category as well as jet powered boats (steering with a hose) don’t offer the instantaneous response to the wheel that makes running in large waves a pleasurable challenge rather than a frightening, anxiety-ridden nightmare.

IPS Pod Drives or Stern Drives

Of course, with stern drives as on the 29z and the new 40z,  or the new IPS or AXIUS drives on the 40z, there’s even more control as props change direction to replace the need for a rudder… similar to outboard motors.  Dual, counter-rotating props should outperform any twin-screw, fixed shaft installation with small powerboat rudders in terms of maneuverability in large waves as well as around the marina.

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