The Talented Mr Johnson

For a while now, my cousin Brian has been wanting to introduce me to Mr. Johnson. Hes had Mr. Johnson living with him for a time and thinks hell be just the person to help get my shantyboat project going.

Id been thinking about powering this little craft, particularly as I put the finishing touches on the hull. There is a place in the plans where an outboard is drawn in dotted lines like a ghostly visitor in comics. I even started working on the motor well, the little box that gets attached to the stern of the boat where the motor attaches.

So I started asking acound, Anyone know of a good cheap outboard, just a little thing that might push my little barge boat around?

Cousin Brian was dying to introduce me to Mr. Johnson.  Here he is.  Hes a 9.5 HP outboard. I forget what year. Mid 70s, I think.

Brian thought he should come live with me. He demonstrated Mr. Johnsons prowess in a barrel of water in the driveway of his suburban home. Mr. Johnson revved and smoked and burbled just like a good motor should.

Brian -- who is a master of boats and outboards and fishing and BBQs and other manly stuff -- taught me some of the things I need to know about Mr. Johnson. He had me take a photograph of the correct oil Mr. Johnson wants mixed with his gasoline, though I immediately forget the proportions.

And I need to get me one of these: A gas container with a fancy attachment doodad.

Here Brian poses with Mr. Johnson, demonstrating, the people he thinks will be drawn to my hillbilly shantyboat.

I think he might be saying in a hick drawl:  "Hey, Cleatus, you gotta take a look at this. Aint that the durndest thing?"

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Design 1959 C3 Palmer Johnson 34

 

We have made numerous postings about this very successful design, the S&S 34.  She is design #1959.  We have had a number of confused buyers or owners inquiring about this particular version, the Palmer Johnson 34.  Lets set the record straight.  The Palmer Johnson 34 brochure lists Nautor of Finland as the builder.  That is completely false. Like the Swans that Palmer Johnson marketed and did not build themselves, these S&S 34s were marketed and sold by P.J. but built by Michael Winfield & Partners. Ltd. of England (later known as Aquafibre International).  We know of at least 12 units sold through P.J.

The boats were identical to the boats sold abroad with the exception of an increased sail plan.  The "I" dimension is 2-6" taller than the English counterparts resulting in a sail area increase of 27 square feet.  Heres the P.J. 34 sail plan.

And heres a copy of the original P.J. 34 brochure.  Note the misleading credit to the builder on the cover page. Also note the LOA is listed as 33-7".  This was probably done for marketing reasons only and is not correct.

 

 

 

Principal Dimensions
LOA 33-6"
LWL 24-2"
Beam 10-1"
Draft 5-10"

Displacement 9,195 lbs

Ballast 4,800 lbs

Sail Area 484 sq ft

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