Forest E. Johnson was a renowned American boat designer from Florida who built thousands of wooden powerboats that are still popular today. Many were branded under the Prowler moniker, the first of which was officially launched in 1948. A number of boats designed by Johnson after the first Prowler became instant classics. They sold to to rum runners, government. agencies charged with chasing rum runners, politicians, businessmen, movie stars and racing enthusiasts. Johnson’s clientele included celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Sam Snead and President Richard Nixon. Johnson was also a friend and mentor to Don Aronow, the founder of Formula, Donzi, Magnum, and Cigarette boats.
One of Johnson’s notable creations, the 1956 26-foot Prowler Hank, which won first place in the Concours d’Elegance at the 23rd Annual Wooden Boat Show in Mystic Seaport. Hank also beat the legendary Ray Hunt-designed Moppie in an eight-hour Miami-Nassau offshore powerboat race.
Shown here is another Prowler: the 24, built in 1959. We think it’s one of the designer’s most attractive models. Marlin features an open cockpit, small cuddy cabin and flush foredeck laid in teak. She’s built with traditional plank frame construction, with cedar planking over mahogany saw frames, with a mahogany superstructure. Power is a 275-hp Chrysler engine.
