North Carolina based builder, MJM Yachts, has announced the newest model in its lineup, the MJM 42 Express Cruiser, along with the news that President Peter Johnstone is leaving the company.

Five years ago, Peter Johnstone bought the business from his father, Bob Johnstone, who started MJM in 2002. The younger Johnstone quickly ended MJM’s relationship with Boston Boatworks, which had built all of MJM’s boats until that time. Johnstone moved production in-house to a Washington, North Carolina facility, where he felt construction costs would be lower and capacity would be far greater.

“The impact Peter has had on making MJM what it is today could not be overstated,” said Kevin Madden, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Saothair Capital Partners, principal owner of Seolta, which acquired MJM Yachts in 2023. “We cannot begin to thank Peter enough for his guidance of MJM through a difficult transitional period. He successfully overcame the challenges of moving production in-house and the extra difficulties of doing so during the Covid pandemic, and he managed to double production output over this period. We all wish Peter great success in his future endeavors, and Peter’s imprint on the legacy of MJM will never be forgotten.”

Meanwhile, the new MJM 42 Express Cruiser design, offered with sterndrives or outboards, has just completed its first sea trial. She measures 46 feet, 8 inches long overall with a beam of 12 feet. Depending on the engine configuration, the draft of the vessel with the engine down is either 36 inches (outboards) or 42 inches (DPIs). The 42 comes standard with gyro-stabilizers, bow thrusters, AC, and a generator.

With its indoor-outdoor pilothouse and galley-up layout, the 42 is designed for cruising couples or as a day cruiser with the option to overnight. The cockpit features a U-shaped dining area and the galley-up layout maximizes space belowdecks and makes entertaining more accessible while underway. The full-beam owner’s stateroom is forward with an attached head. There is a second berth amidships.

Standard sterndrive power is supplied by twin Volvo D6-440/DPIs, while outboard power comes from twin 600 V12 Mercury Verado engines. Maximum speed for both models is in the 47-plus-knot range.