Mar Sea - Johnson FOR SALE

ARE YOU DREAMING OF CRUISING “SOMEWHERE WARM”? SEARCHING FOR A REMARKABLE ON‑WATER LIVEABOARD?

Don’t let her year fool you. This yacht has been thoughtfully upgraded, is mechanically dialed‑in, and recently ran from Boca Raton, Florida to Rock Hall, MD with effortless poise.

THE JOHNSON HIGH‑TECH 56' MOTOR YACHT IS DESIGNED TO ENRICH YOUR EVERYDAY—AND WHEN IT’S TIME TO LIFT ANCHOR, SHE WHISKS YOU TO YOUR FAVORITE COVE OR ISLAND IN SAFETY AND COMFORT.

Built in 1994 and drawn by Bill Dixon, this 56' flybridge motor yacht marries contemporary European flair with proven Taiwanese craftsmanship. Inside, three private staterooms each feature ensuite heads, creating a refined, boutique‑style retreat. The bright salon, expansive flybridge, inviting aft deck, and abundant storage are ideal for extended cruising or a full‑time liveaboard lifestyle.

Power comes from twin Detroit AV92TA, FWC, 8‑cylinder diesels that cruise confidently at about 20 knots and reach approximately 26–28 knots when you want to stretch her legs. Strongly constructed and sure‑footed, she handles rougher seas with assurance, delivering you to your destination relaxed and secure.

A superb fit for those seeking a Luxury Motor Yacht, Flybridge Motor Yacht, Aft Cabin Liveaboard, Bluewater Cruiser, Offshore Motor Yacht, and performance‑minded Power Yacht—this Johnson 56’ is equally at home as a capable cruiser and an elegant residence on the water.

Description

Looking for warm horizons and a true liveaboard that feels spectacular every day? This Johnson High‑Tech 56' Motor Yacht, designed by Bill Dixon with a refined European sensibility and built in Taiwan, has been thoughtfully upgraded and remains mechanically sound throughout. Do not be misled by her vintage; she recently ran from Boca Raton, Florida to Rock Hall, MD and performed beautifully, a confident testament to her condition. Laid out for both the dedicated cruiser and the full‑time liveaboard, she offers three private staterooms each with ensuite heads, a spacious saloon, a generous flybridge and aft deck, and ample storage for extended passage making. Power comes from twin Detroit 8V92TA FWC 8‑cylinder diesels that cruise at 20 knots and reach 26–28 knots at the top, delivering the speed to stretch your itinerary and the poise to smooth out the miles. Solidly constructed to handle rough seas with composure, she carries you safely and comfortably to your favorite anchorage or island when it’s time to lift the hook.

Overview

Step aboard and you are welcomed by an interior that perfectly serves both cruising and liveaboard life, sleeping six in three private cabins with additional space in the saloon and, in fair weather, on the flybridge. The aft master stateroom is entered down a magnificent spiral staircase and sets the tone with generous volume and an ensuite head; forward, a guest berth mirrors the master in size and features, while abundant storage throughout supports guests and crew, family and friends. The saloon invites gatherings with a long U‑shaped sofa and room for extra seating, while the raised dining area comfortably hosts your company. Entertaining is effortless in the spacious lower U‑shaped galley, thoughtfully equipped with a 3‑burner stovetop, a GE microwave, an exhaust fan over the sink, a GE dishwasher, U‑Line galley refrigeration and a Sub‑Zero galley freezer, plus an additional refrigerator on the flybridge to keep refreshments within easy reach. Practical comforts extend to a Splendide 2000 combo washer/dryer, a Nutone central vacuum, and a Broan trash compactor, ensuring the yacht lives as beautifully as she cruises.

Climate control is exceptional thanks to a 96,000 BTU Cruisair‑Dometic HVAC remote expansion system. Two AC seawater pumps supply cooling water to four compressors, which then deliver refrigerant gas to the air handlers, and the entire system runs either via shorepower receptacles or the generator—keeping nights at anchor blissfully cool even in peak summer.

The electrical architecture is robust and versatile, with both a ship’s 120 volt and a shorepower 110 volt system, a Northern Lights generator PX‑0, and two 125/250 volt 50 amp shorepower receptacles with breakers feeding a 50' shorepower cable. Protection and energy management include galvanic isolaters, 12‑8D gel type batteries, a Sentury 12v 60 amp battery charger, a ProMariner 12v 20 amp battery charger, and a Newmar 24v 50 amp battery charger, all coordinated through six Guest rotary battery switches and a 12v electric panel at the pilothouse helm. The proven HVAC/air system integrates seamlessly here, underscoring the yacht’s long‑range self‑sufficiency.

Mechanical systems are equally confidence‑inspiring. Twin Detroit FWC, 8‑cylinder model 8V92TA diesels show approximately port 1139 hours and starboard 1138 hours, delivering a 20‑knot cruise and 26–28‑knot top speed. A 24v bow thruster with a single 3‑blade prop in a 12" tube lends precise low‑speed handling, while electro‑hydraulic stainless‑steel trim tabs measuring 12" x 54" fine‑tune her running attitude. Steering is by Hynautic with a hydraulic single ram, driving stainless‑steel spade rudders sized at 11" x 27" for crisp response at all speeds.

Freshwater and plumbing are engineered for independence. A 200 gallon stainless‑steel freshwater tank with an accumulator tank feeds via a Headhunter Excaliber 12v pump, supported by a Raritan 20 gallon water heater. Deck‑level convenience includes freshwater washdown and a transom deck shower, while a 60 gallon waste tank with a Y valve handles blackwater. For reliability below decks, there are two Rule 12v sump pumps with float switches plus four additional Rule submersible 12v sump pumps with float switches, a manual bilge pump in the engine room, and audio and visual bilge alarms as per ABYC. Fuel capacity comes from two aluminum 300 gallons each tanks served by a 12v fuel transfer pump, and a Reverso oil transfer pump with manifold streamlines service.

Navigation and electronics are comprehensive and redundant at both stations. The fully equipped and meticulously maintained inside helm sits across from the port‑side dining area, while the flybridge helm is perfectly centered, delivering sweeping 360‑degree sightlines. For docking finesse, two sets of engine controls are fitted in the cockpit, one to starboard and one to port. On the upper station (flybridge), equipment includes a 4" Ritchie compass, a Simrad AP20 autopilot, a Garmin GPS Map 942xs, a Northstar GPS/LORAN 800, chart plotters, a Garmin 36 mile radar, an Autohelm Tridata combining knotmeter, depthsounder and water temperature, a Standard Horizon VHF radio and hailer, and full engine monitoring gauges. The lower station (wheelhouse) mirrors this capability with its own 4" Ritchie compass, Simrad AP20 autopilot, Garmin GPS Map 942xs, Northstar GPS/LORAN 800, chart plotters, Garmin 36 mile radar, Autohelm Tridata, a SEA VHF radio, and engine monitoring gauges. Entertainment is anchored by an Intellian satellite system, with a Samsung TV/DVD/media player in the master, a Samsung TV in the guest cabin, a Sony TV/DVD/media player in the saloon, and Pianola cassette/tuner sound systems in each stateroom.

Underfoot and topside, the build inspires confidence. Johnson Yachts and designer Bill Dixon created a superb pilothouse motor yacht on a modified V planing solid glass hull with cored fiberglass decks finished in non‑skid and laid vinyl teak. The foredeck features a fiberglass bowsprit with a stainless‑steel anchor roller bracket, complemented by a stainless‑steel bow pulpit and stainless‑steel rubrails. A molded fiberglass hardtop shelters the bridge, and the decks have been primed and painted with Awlgrip to match previously painted topsides—from the bow to just inside the cockpit and from the rub rail up to the painted area around the bridge—for a cohesive, luminous finish. Ground tackle is handled by a Muir electric vertical anchor windlass with remote controls and a Danforth polished 55 lb anchor, while docklines and fenders stand ready at every landing. At the water’s edge, a telescoping stainless‑steel swim ladder serves a good‑sized swim platform, completing a deck plan that balances beauty, safety and utility in equal measure.