You can’t say the people at MJM Yachts aren’t thinking ahead. They just launched their new MJM 35Z, with two outboards, and now they’re announcing the development of a new 43Z, with three. MJM says it has created the 43Z in response to requests from owners, particularly in the Carolinas and Florida, who want outboard-powered cruising boats.
Outboards have indeed become more popular in the past few years as they have become more technologically advanced, offering fuel-efficient, high-speed and low-noise-level performance. An outboard boat also has obvious advantages when running in shallow water, or in areas with lots of lobster pots. In the long term, it’s easier to replace an outboard engine when you need a new one; all you have to do is bolt on a new one.
For MJM Yachts, the new 43Z is an extension of the popular 40Z, which is powered by Volvo’s IPS pod drives. The 43Z, powered by three 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards, comes with joystick docking and Skyhook station keeping.
The 43Z is another collaboration of Doug Zurn, the Marblehead, Mass., designer (and the “Z” in the boat’s name), Bob Johnstone, the legendary founder of MJM (and J/Boats before that), and Mark Lindsay of Boston BoatWorks in Charlestown, Mass. Like other MJMs, it is built with advanced epoxy composite construction, and it has MJM’s signature low profile, long sheer and classic Down East lines. It is certified ISO Category A Ocean for stability and seaworthiness; a Seakeeper 5 gyrostabilizer is optional. The new 43Z has a flush deck with boarding doors on each side for easy entry, and has a low air height of only 10 feet with radar, which is particularly important if you’re cruising on the Waterway or the Great Loop.
The 43 has an extended hull, rather than a swim platform for the outboards, and the deadrise at the transom is 18.5 degrees. The company says top speed will be 46 knots; cruising speed, 35 knots. It predicts the new 43Z will have a range of 500 nm.
Specs.: LOA: 44’0”; Beam: 12’0”; Draft: 3’1”; Disp.; 18,960 lbs.; Fuel: 540 gals; Water: 100 gals.: Power: 3×350-hp Mercury Verado outboards.
