Palmer Johnson

Palmer Johnson is an American shipyard that leverages more than 100 years of experience building semi-custom and custom superyachts. Founded in 1918 by boat builders Hans Johnson and Herman Gmack under the name Sturgeon Bay Boat Works, the shipyard first started out constructing wooden commercial fishing boats, rowing skiffs, and small yachts. In 1928, Hans’ son, Palmer Johnson, took over the shipyard and began building quality wooden sailing yachts. During WWII, the shipyard switched to constructing wooden aircraft rescue and supply boats, and once the war was over, the yard resumed constructing yachts, adding aluminium motor yachts and racing sailing yachts to its offering.