Johnson Boat Works
Encyclopedia
Johnson Boat Works was a builder and developer of racing sailboats and scows in White Bear Lake, Minnesota
. Founded in 1896 by John O. Johnson, an emigrant from Norway, the builder started building A-Scow
s. As more classes were founded, Johnson moved on to B's, C's
, D's, and E's
. Johnson was commissioned to build the X-Boat for youth in the 1930's. Johnson designed the J-scow
in the mid-50's which was converted to the MC. Through the years, the boat builder built Opti's
and 420's
. In 1994, the builder brought out the Johnson 18
. Johnson were also known for playing on the unintended innuendo in their name ('Johnson' being a slang term for penis
), by using the slogan "You And Your Johnson" in their advertising campaigns. But, whoever posted this doesn't know much because the commercial for "You and your Johnson" was for Johnson Outboards, a subsidiary of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), makers of Evinrude and Johnson outboard motors. Johnson Boatworks had nothing to do with them. In 1998, two years after JBW turned 100 years old, the family sold the company. The scow molds were sold to their competitor Melges Boat Works (now called Melges Performance Sailboats
) in Wisconsin
. The other molds, including the Johnson 18 mold, were sold to Catalina Yachts
in California
. The repair and storage part of the company was sold to one of Johnson's employees who renamed the company White Bear Boat Works.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 23,797 at the 2010 census. The city is located on White Bear Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St...
. Founded in 1896 by John O. Johnson, an emigrant from Norway, the builder started building A-Scow
A-Scow
In sailing, the A-Scow is a large sailing scow. It is 38 feet long and with reported top speeds of over 25 knots. With its rules of design, also known as scantlings, first beaten by its father in 1901, the A-Scow has a significant history...
s. As more classes were founded, Johnson moved on to B's, C's
C-Scow
The C-Scow is a member of the scow family. Like the MC, it is cat-rigged but requires two or three people to sail. Like the MC, it has bilgeboards but only one rudder. Although the current boat is one-design, the original class had several boats that fit within a box rule. The first scantlings for...
, D's, and E's
E-Scow
The E-Scow is the younger sister of the A-Scow, both boats are manufactured by Melges Performance Sailboats. Its rigging is similar to the A-Scow, and their hull shapes are almost identical, just 10 feet shorter. The boat is competitively sailed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, New York,...
. Johnson was commissioned to build the X-Boat for youth in the 1930's. Johnson designed the J-scow
MC Scow
The MC-Scow is a one-design sailboat made by Melges Performance Sailboats. The boat is cat rigged, and is sailed by either one or two people.-History:...
in the mid-50's which was converted to the MC. Through the years, the boat builder built Opti's
Optimist (dinghy)
The Optimist is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children up to the age of 15. Nowadays boats are usually made of fiber reinforced plastic, although wooden boats are still built....
and 420's
420 (dinghy)
The International 420 Class Dinghy is a double-handed monohull planing dinghy with centreboard, bermuda rig and centre sheeting. The name describes the overall length of the boat in centimetres . The hull is fibreglass with internal buoyancy tanks. The 420 is equipped with spinnaker and optional...
. In 1994, the builder brought out the Johnson 18
Johnson 18
The Johnson 18 is an sailing dinghy designed by Rodger Martin. Although it is no longer produced, Johnson Boat Works fabricated over 100 of these sport boats before closing its doors in 1998.-History:...
. Johnson were also known for playing on the unintended innuendo in their name ('Johnson' being a slang term for penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
), by using the slogan "You And Your Johnson" in their advertising campaigns. But, whoever posted this doesn't know much because the commercial for "You and your Johnson" was for Johnson Outboards, a subsidiary of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), makers of Evinrude and Johnson outboard motors. Johnson Boatworks had nothing to do with them. In 1998, two years after JBW turned 100 years old, the family sold the company. The scow molds were sold to their competitor Melges Boat Works (now called Melges Performance Sailboats
Melges Performance Sailboats
Melges Performance Sailboats, is a United States company founded by Harry Melges, father of former Olympic sailor Buddy Melges. The company's headquarters is in Zenda, Wisconsin. The about six hundred existing boats are approximately evenly split between North America and Europe, with fleets in...
) in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. The other molds, including the Johnson 18 mold, were sold to Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts is a U.S.-based builder of fiberglass monohull sloop-rigged sailboats ranging in sizes from eight to 47 feet in length. It was founded in 1969 in Hollywood, California by Frank Butler .-History:...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The repair and storage part of the company was sold to one of Johnson's employees who renamed the company White Bear Boat Works.