Johnson Yachts International in New Zealand may not be familiar to many Americans, but it’s been operating in Auckland for the past decade. It focuses primarily on custom new-builds and classic restorations. Though projects to date have been smaller than megayachts, it’s gradually taking on larger contracts. The Johnson 80 Motoryacht is one such example, set for completion about a year from now.
The owners, hailing from New Zealand and Canada and living in Australia, plan cruising around the South Pacific. The Johnson 80 Motoryacht is from the drawing boards of Dibley Marine, another New Zealand firm. According to Kevin Dibley, design director of Dibley Marine, the clients initially were considering acquiring a 60-foot former naval vessel that was being converted for yacht service. That steel-hulled project had started at Johnson Yachts International, but the buyers who had commissioned the conversion saw their finances turn during the economic crisis. Dibley was brought in by Graham Johnson, principal of the yard, to oversee the design and flesh out the clients’ requirements. “It wasn’t long before it was decided that what they needed was a complete new build starting from a fresh sheet of paper, so to speak,” Dibley explains. Thus the Johnson 80 Motoryacht was born.
The Johnson 80 Motoryacht started construction a few months ago. The owners wanted a low profile and overall emphasis on go-anywhere travel. Dibley and Johnson decided that a light displacement-to-length hull would provide the best solution. This hull form is noteworthy for fuel efficiency and relatively low horsepower needs. The Johnson 80 Motoryacht features 740-hp MTU Series 60 diesels. Dibley says most efficient cruise should be 11.8 knots, permitting a range just exceeding 1,500 nautical miles. “This allows the owners to go from Auckland to Sydney (1200 nm); Auckland to Fiji (1150 nm); Auckland to Vanuatu (1200 nm) with plenty of fuel to spare,” he explains. Total fuel tankage is 1,980 gallons (7,500 liters).
Now, a light displacement relative to the size of the yacht can be considered a disadvantage in terms of control. Therefore, the Johnson 80 Motoryacht employs a steel hull, with a composite superstructure. Of course, tankage and major systems’ weight, like that of the engines, is further arranged to reduce pitching in rough seas. The Johnson 80 Motoryacht is further being equipped with a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizer, well proven on a number of international builds.
Even though swift speed isn’t a priority, the Johnson 80 Motoryacht should see a 23-knot top end. Some of the regions where the owners will cruise can see weather turn pretty quickly. It should therefore come in handy when needed.
What is definitely needed is a yacht capable of entertaining large parties. Whether they’re deep-sea fishing from the cockpit fighting chair, taking in the views from the flybridge, or watching a movie in the TV lounge below decks, the Johnson 80 Motoryacht is meant to be used. Other interior highlights include a convertible office/cabin to port of the TV lounge, a forward master, and two guest staterooms aft. The helm is further open to the galley and saloon, though a door can close it off for nighttime navigation.
The Johnson 80 Motoryacht is being designed and built to the Australian National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) requirements and Lloyds Register Special Service Craft (LR SSC) rules.
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