Look at an MJM 47X in profile, and you might easily mistake this model for having a classic downeast layout. Viewed from inside, however, it quickly becomes clear that this boat belongs to a new breed of yachts designed for day-boating, entertaining in luxury, and cruising with every advantage modern technology has to offer.
The biggest departure from the norm is the boat’s topsides use of space. While MJMs and downeast cruisers in general have previously featured fully enclosed bows with a cabin underneath, the 47X has a large, comfortable bow cockpit with seating on Ultraleather upholstery for a half dozen people around a glossy teak table. Like some of the other modern cruiser-turned-dayboat configurations that have become popular in recent times, the bow is accessed via a portside walkthrough rather than the center walkthrough of a bowrider, maintaining the ability to incorporate a full cabin between the bow and helm.
That cabin is more substantial than one might think, too, with a dinette that converts into a queen berth forward, a fully enclosed head compartment in the middle, and an aft cabin berth carved out under the helm. What about the galley? That’s in the upper cabin, across from a plush settee/dinette with a four-section folding teak table. Note that the upper cabin is surrounded by windows and glass doors aft, so you can enjoy 360-degree views and spectacular visibility from the helm. And when you want to enjoy a fresh sea breeze as well, you can open the sunroof, press a button to swing up the three panes of the electrically actuated windshield, and slide open the tinted side windows.
Still, despite the draw of the bow cockpit for socializing and the cabin for cruising, our favorite part of the MJM 47X may well be the aft cockpit. Just behind the cabin entry you’ll find a refrigerator to port and an outdoor grill to starboard. Aft of that, there’s lots of open space and elbow room bracketed by an L-shaped settee running along the transom and port side. On starboard there’s an opening side-entry gate complimenting the transom door, so you can board the boat easily however it’s moored. And before you move away from the transom, note that the integrated swim platform extends back on either side of the powerplants and also extends across the boat in front of them, so the entire platform is useable.
Speaking of the powerplants: the MJM 47X can be rigged with a pair of twin Mercury Verado 600-hp outboards, which deliver a top-end pushing well into the upper 50s and a cruise in the neighborhood of 40 mph at 4500 rpm. Opt instead for a pair of 440-hp Volvo D6 diesels with DPI drives and you’ll still see speeds north of 50 mph at top-end.
Either way, in this case it’s the boat more than the powerplants that explains the above-par performance. The 47X is built using MJM’s unique C5 manufacturing process, which is a closed-mold epoxy and composite system (C5 stands for Closed, Compressed, Clean, Oven-Cured Composite). This vacuum-infused, post-cured epoxy system precisely layers biaxial E-glass with closed-cell foam coring and then bakes the boat at 185 degrees in a custom-built convection oven, to cross-link the polymers and thus boost strength by 30 percent. The net result? The strongest possible strength-to-weight ratio, a smoother ride through the seas, and a faster wind whipping through your hair when you open up the throttles.
Sure, when viewed in profile the MJM 47X looks like a traditional downeast boat. But looks can be deceiving. And while the 47X does have the appearance of a classic, it also has a lot more than meets the eye.
By Lenny Rudow
MJM 47X Specifications:
LOA: 46’8”
Beam: 12’0”
Draft (min.): 2’1.5”
Displacement: 17,730 lbs.
Transom Deadrise: 18.5 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 475 gal.
Water Capacity: 90 gal.
Max HP: 600
To learn more, visit PropTalk supporter MJM Yachts at mjmyachts.com.