MAGICAL MJM
The morning after the 2021 Newport International Boat Show broke crisp and clear with the low humidity and blue-bird skies that are trademarks of September, the magic month, in the region. Weather like this is the reason the Astors, the Vanderbilts and the rest of the American monarchy migrated to Rhode Island all those years ago. Today, though, another kind of royalty is in town: Bob Johnstone, the 87-year-old founder of MJM Yachts and co-progenitor of J/Boats, a sailboat brand that has more than 14,000 vessels sailing the seven seas.
On this day, he sits placidly in the salon of a new 53zi as it bobs at the docks. His son, Peter, MJM’s CEO
