A century of American boat-building, reimagined in Europe
Palmer Johnson's history spans over a century, beginning with wooden boat construction in Wisconsin in 1918. The yard built military vessels during both World Wars, transitioned into aluminium yacht construction in the 1960s, and by the 2000s had established itself as one of the most design-forward superyacht builders in the world. The move to the Netherlands — closer to the European supply chain and buyer market — marked the final evolution of a yard that had always prioritised innovation over convention.
The defining moment came in 2010 with the launch of the DB9 — a 50-metre all-aluminium sport yacht designed by Nuvolari Lenard that looked like nothing else afloat. The knife-edge bow, the dramatically low freeboard, the automotive-inspired proportions — the DB9 was a conscious rejection of the traditional superyacht aesthetic, and it announced Palmer Johnson as a builder willing to take design risks that the established Dutch and German yards would not.
The Palmer Johnson fleet on the market
Palmer Johnson's production output was always small — the yard delivered approximately 40 superyachts over its active period. On the brokerage market, the most commonly available models are:
- PJ 150 / PJ 170 / PJ 210 — The classic Palmer Johnson tri-deck motor yachts from the 1990s and 2000s. These are well-built aluminium vessels in the 45–64 metre range, available from €3 million to €12 million. They represent strong value for the engineering quality.
- DB9 (50m, 2010) — The yard's most iconic design. All-aluminium construction with a distinctive Nuvolari Lenard exterior. Top speed exceeding 25 knots. Trades between €8 million and €14 million.
- SuperSport series — A range of sport yachts (35–50m) designed for performance and visual impact. The SuperSport 48 (Khalilah, 2014) was the world's first superyacht built entirely in carbon fibre — a technical achievement that demonstrated the yard's engineering ambition.
Buying a Palmer Johnson today
Palmer Johnson yachts are collector's pieces as much as functional vessels. The small fleet size, distinctive design language, and the yard's uncertain operational future mean that existing Palmer Johnson yachts are unlikely to be replicated. For buyers attracted to the aesthetic — and who value the engineering quality of the aluminium construction — a well-maintained Palmer Johnson represents an opportunity to own something genuinely unique in the brokerage market.
The standard acquisition process applies: engage a specialist broker, inspect the vessel, commission a survey, and negotiate under the MYBA agreement. Given the yard's operational status, buyers should pay particular attention to spare parts availability and after-sales support — a good broker will advise on the practicalities of maintaining a Palmer Johnson in the long term. For the broader market, see our motor yachts for sale or our buyer's guide.