The Game Changer
Bob Johnstone looks behind him, then forward, and with his right hand toggles the Mercury joystick to the left. The outboards pivot, smoothly, and the MJM 35z slides, again, smoothly, to port. He carries on a conversation while maneuvering the boat through Newport Shipyard. If there’s a more intimidating place to dock in New England I haven’t seen it. Superyachts jut out into the fairway on each side and sailboat crews in RIBs are buzzing about, yet Johnstone seems totally at home here.
In a way he is. Newport Shipyard has been home base for Johnstone, founder and CEO of MJM Yachts, and for many of his personal MJMs. But this boat, the first outboard-powered MJM in the builder’s stable, has only been under his command for a few weeks.
Prior to the 35, he owned and ran the range of MJMs, from the 29, 34, and 36, to
