MJM’s New 35z
MJM yachts launched it’s much anticipated 35z in July with a big press event to welcome their newest Downeast cruiser into the family. MJM Yachts has become known for that comfortable and usable performance boat, from the mind of founder Bob Johnstone (also the founder of J Boats) and Doug Zurn. The same comfort and performance that can be found in the MJM 40z and 50z are found in the new 35z, but what sets the new model apart is its twin outboards. Yes, the MJM 35z is powered by outboards, specifically Mercury 300HP Verados. Initial reviews of the new model have been positive.
The 35z, while a smaller package, holds many of the thoughtful features that you find aboard the company’s larger models. It sports the same bulkhead boarding doors that allow for easy entrance and exit off the boat via the cockpit. She, too, sports joystick controls
allowing for easy docking and station holding, particularly making simple work of single- handed sailors. With an option as well for a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, the 35z is rock solid and stable in various sea conditions. At top speeds, she reaches 40+ knots and cruises comfortably at 38 knots. Owing to the advanced design, even at this speed she’ll exceed a 350- mile range.
Like the rest of the range, the “z” in the model designator identifies the boat as a Doug Zurn-design.
Even before the first hull was ready for primetime, MJM had presold the first 21 hulls of the 35z.. It will make its boat show debut in September at the Newport International Boat Show. Stay tuned for our detailed review in an upcoming issue.– BKL
www.mjmyachts.com
SNAG-A-SLIP GOES MOBILE
Baltimore-based Snag-A-Slip is making headway on building partnerships with marinas in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Though most of the marinas in the Snag-A-Slip portfolio are on the East Coast (at last check there were just two in California), the company is steadily making it easier for boaters to connect to marinas that have open and available slips. Once you enter in your desired destination, use a wide variety of filters to narrow down your search selection: At play are filtering results by marina amenities, draft, length/beam, and power requirements for your boat, then whip out your credit card and reserve your spot. The service from Snag-A-Slip is not fee-based, and they guarantee a price-match so that you won’t
be paying more than the marina’s standard rate.
The company has just launched an iOS and Android app available for free download. The app has all the same features, functions, and filters of the site, and they did a great job to preserve in the app the site’s easy, user-friendly approach to interface design.
In addition to the app, the company has also launched a coffee-card style loyalty program called the “Dozen Dock Challenge.” For every 12 nights you book in marinas through Snag-A-Slip you’ll receive your next night’s stay for free. –JBC
LAGOON SEVENTY 8 POWERCAT
The Lagoon Seventy 8 powercat is big. When it makes its debut at the Cannes International Boat Show, it will be the largest catamaran there, sail or power, and it is now the largest powercat in the Lagoon line. Last year at Cannes, Lagoon debuted its Seventy 7 sailing cat, and the Seventy 8 is the powercat equivalent of that design. With a beam measuring a whopping 36 feet, it sports a forward deck that totals 322 square feet. The top deck features both a giant dining area as well as a large party Jacuzzi, with room to spare. If you are looking for a charter option this boat can be laid out with up to five cabins. If you take the three- or four-cabin version, the master cabin features a fold-down beach club, which is basically a wall that folds out into a swim step amidships. The Seventy 8 is powered with Volvo D11 510 HP engines with an option to upgrade to John Deere 580s; the Volvo top speed is 19 knots with a range up to 4,000 miles at economy speeds. This clearly is a powercat option for the few who have a nice end tie at the marina. But it is sure to be the talk of the town at boat shows and makes quite the power cruising platform.