Yachting USA — January 2018

CURRENTS ON BOARD MJM 35z

up the boat’s throttles. Not only did she

nip at the 40-knot mark while charging

headlong into a 2- to 3-foot Chesapeake

Bay chop, but she also netted a thoroughly

efficient 1.1 nmpg throughout a cruising

range from 3,500 rpm (18 knots) through

4,500 rpm (30 knots). ¶ More blending of

tech and tradition is found on the helm

deck. The helm and passenger seats are

by Stidd, with upholstery in Ultraleather

— state-of-the-art quality — but the lay-

out is exactly as I’d expect from a classic

cruiser, with twin center-facing settees

and a dinette to port. Swing up either of

those settees to find a surprise: a stowage

area, thanks to the lack of power plants

belowdecks. ¶ Though it’s tempting to

dwell on what’s found inside this boat,

one can’t have a complete discussion

about the MJM 35z without focusing

for a moment on how it’s built. This is a

wet, prepreg-epoxy-constructed vessel.

The flexural strength of epoxy resin is

stronger than common polyester by a

margin of 25 percent. It’s more durable,

less permeable and better at adhering.

The hull is Corecell-cored with solid ep-

oxy E-glass on the centerline, and the deck

is an E-glass/Airex-cored composite. This

all adds up to a strong yet light boat. ¶ Yes,

the construction method also adds cost

( base price is $612,500), and there’s slight-

ly more water noise belowdecks than on

some heavier boats built with standard

fiberglass construction, but on the whole,

the MJM 35z’s build technique is difficult

to top. ¶ Is an MJM 35z the best choice

for every yachtsman? That’s a question

only each one can answer. But if you’re

interested in timeless design wrapped

in a thoroughly modern build, I encour-

age you to contact MJM for a sea trial.

Take the next step: mjmyachts.com

SOUNDS OF SILENCE

One of the goals for the 35z was a quiet

ride. The builder reports that with

the aft curtains down, helm sound levels

measure 77 decibels at a 30.5-knot

cruise. For reference, the level of normal

conversation is 65 dBA.

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