Casta Diva: The Only MJM50 Ever Custom-Built for Extensive Cruising

Dreaming about a family trip to the Bahamas or doing The Loop with a group of pals? Fantasizing about exploring quiet harbors in Maine, the Chesapeake Bay or the Florida Keys?  Now, make those dreams come true.

Casta Diva is the most extensively customized MJM ever built. She is capable of the superb performance and all the daytime activities offered by standard MJM50s but totally unique in her ability to cruise independently over long distances for extended periods of time. 

Casta Diva, MJM50 Hull #15 was launched in 2017 and now has 1100 hours on her engines. She is a veteran of the Atlantic between Maine and Florida, with three glorious cruises through the Bahamas. Her original owner is an experienced yachtsman who built three Boston Boatworks MJMs and has maintained his boat impeccably while constantly updating her systems. There is no comparable MJM50 on or off the market. 
Period.

Moreover, Casta Diva is the most beautiful MJM50 ever built, the only example of this admired Doug Zurn design with a completely wood interior in solid and laminate cherry. When new, she was the most costly MJM50 that Boston Boatworks ever delivered.

Custom and Special Features

Custom Features

  • Custom, much larger Doug Zurn-designed galley

    • Significantly expanded Corian counter space – at least double that of a standard MJM50

    • Four-burner induction cooktop

    • Large volume freezer well, capable of storing months of frozen meat, fish and specialty foods

    • Multi-level cooktop exhaust: hidden when not in use, then rising above the counter when needed

    • A perfectly calibrated Breville oven for toasting or reheating like a microwave (albeit more slowly) but capable of baking homemade pizza and muffins, slow cooking a BBQ, and roasting vegetables or a whole 3.5 lb. chicken, with accurate, pre-set heat and time 

    • Extra deep storage drawers for pots, pans and cooking utensils

    • Extra-large, custom-designed, trash bin with manual compactor: slides out with open top for easy trash disposal

  • Two-bunk stateroom to starboard with hanging locker, three large drawers, a compartment for personal items (wallet, sunglasses, keys, etc.) and direct, private access to the second head

  • Midship day-head, with private access to the starboard cabin 

  • Owners’ forward cabin, custom-fitted with a hanging locker and two clothing lockers (with shelves and bins) plus four substantial drawers

  • Custom pilot house dining table, 20% larger than the standard table, sized to accommodate up to six for dinner

  • Two crew can use the custom crane to launch the aluminum-bottomed RIB in minutes, without hanging a less capable dinghy off the swim platform, obscuring the boat’s identity and making a beautiful boat look, well, homely

  • Custom Mark Lindsay-designed Bimini providing full cockpit shade without the standard permanent, unattractive armature: can be set up or taken down by one person in under five minutes; drains rainwater overboard 

  • Owners’ double mattress folds on the centerline, 

    • Not horizontally as is standard, so no uncomfortable hip-level pockets 

    • Folds easily to access the huge well under-bunk for long-term storage

  • Extra-large genset intake water filter

  • Dual Racor fuel filters, engines and genset 

Special Features

  • Seakeeper 

  • Miele washer and dryer

  • Hard-bottomed RIB on the hardtop, launched by crane

  • Torquedo electric dinghy motor

    • Custom mounting below decks with automatic charging

    • Spare battery

  • Three power-operated, fully opening windshield windows

  • Pilot house and cockpit combine to be open to the air

    • Triple pilot house glass windows sliding forward or aft

    • Roll-up port and starboard eisenglass curtains and door 

  • Water maker, producing about seven gallons of fresh water an hour 

  • Humphree trim and stabilizer system to significantly control pounding, reduce sea sickness, increase fuel efficiency and improve visibility

  • Depth sounder set to water below the center prop (no math required)

  • Owners’ stateroom with private access to the port head

  • Large, superbly efficient shower 

  • Central vacuum capability with hose that stretches from midship to the forward cabin and aft to the cockpit

  • Fast-heating electric cockpit grill 

  • Cockpit Icemaker (over-achieving, needs to be controlled)

  • Deep pilot house lazarette storage for suitcases, snorkeling gear, extra anchor, etc.: sufficient for small bicycles

  • Hand-held shower at the swim platform with hot-and-cold water controls

  • Second anchor with chain and 150’ of line

  • Two (never deployed) life rafts

    • Lightweight (42 lb.) for four

    • Large, with compartments for six

  • Extending swim ladder for easy boarding; telescopes flat and secure below the platform when underway 

  • 50-amp shore power cord deployed and retrieved electrically with cockpit switch or remote

Accommodations

Three doubles

Forward
Midship in the salon (electrically telescoping table with inset)
Pilot house (electrically telescoping table with inset)

Three-to-four single bunks

Two in the private starboard cabin
One in the pilot house
The stern seat, under the Bimini — or the stars

Specifications

LENGTH

54′ 9″

16.68 m

BEAM

15′

4.57 m

DRAFT

3′ 10″

1.16 m

LOA: 54’9” including swim platform and bow rail

Beam: 15’

Draft: 3’10” to center prop

Power: 3, 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600s

Fuel Capacity: 534 gallons

Water Tankage: 100 gallons

Cruising Speed: 

30+ knots at 80% (3000 RPM)

33+ knots at Volvo-recommended 90% (3300 RPM)

Owners’ Cabin

Don’t be embarrassed about your unique luxury. You are the captains, it’s your boat and you deserve it. In truth, you have so many clothing shelves that you can afford to share a couple of drawers with your crew.

The Owners’ Forward Cabin is as comfortable as it is beautiful, with a queen-sized bed separated by a mirrored door from the main salon, creating private access to the head and shower. Four generous drawers are just the beginning of personal clothing storage.

There is a hanging locker to port with a custom shelving for lots and lots of casual clothing.

A second custom locker is to starboard with even more clothing shelves, and a space below where owners can toss their laundry.

Beneath the handy cushioned seat is a storage bin for pillows, sleeping bags, blankets and bedding.

The huge under-bed cavity area stores suitcases and other seldom used items. Note how this unique mattress was created to fold fore-and-aft, unlike the horizontally folding standard mattresses that develop pockets that make sleeping uncomfortable.

Below the cabin sole is a storage area that fits three large bins, used here for galley spares and head supplies.

Owners’ Head

The term WC captures the nature of most boat heads: “water closet.” Casta Diva offers owners and crew a head that is large, bright and airy, a place that makes one’s daily ablutions enjoyable. A great shower promises strong pressure, water as hot as you choose and enough space for you to stretch and wash indulgently.

The bright, tasteful owners’ head is spacious and functional, with a generous sink, an electrically flushing vacuum WC and lots of storage for towels, first aid kits and personal toiletries.

The shower is truly wonderful, spacious and easy to maintain. Underway, the folding glass door locks against the midship bulkhead but, in port or at the anchor, your hot shower is waiting. BTW, a second hot shower is hidden under a stainless cover in the transom, accessible to swimmers as they come aboard.

Starboard Cabin

This double bunk cabin was originally the concept of an Eastern yacht Club Commodore, who intelligently substituted this family-friendly arrangement – cabin, day head and proper salon – for the too-big original settee and totally unnecessary second owners’ shower. Only his boat and Casta Diva were built with this graceful, functional, desirable layout.

The starboard cabin is a self-contained, fully heated and air-conditioned haven for two, wih a hanging locker, four clothing drawers, and a cubby for miscellaneous items (wallet, watches, keys and jewelry.)

For nighttime convenience, the starboard cabin has its own private access to the midship day head.

Cruising Galley

The person who commissioned Casta Diva was astonished to see that the standard MJM50 had the same two-burner stove as his previous MJM40, and that boat had the same cooktop as his 2004 MJM34. While a marina-to-marina existence is sometimes a necessity, doesn’t every boat owner long to explore a series of quiet anchorages where his family and crew can be independent of land and still enjoy the ability to cook, eat and live like gods – or, at least, normal people? Read on.

All other MJM50s are configured to cruise from marina-to-marina. But what if you want to get away from the crowd and anchor overnight in a series of quiet harbors? Casta Diva is the only MJM50 afloat with the ability to sustain independent cruising over extended periods of time with no sacrifices to living comfort.

Aft-to-forward: large freezer well continues under the counter with the Breville oven above; two large fridges are below; the 4-burner induction cooktop dominates; deep pots-and pans storage are below; outboard is a draining dish storage well, inboard a large sink with filtered water spout. An extra-large custom trash bin with manual compactor slides out effortlessly. The upper and lower cabinets offer a ton of dry storage with fiddles that isolate specialized sections.

Cook as you would at home, on four independent induction burners: sauté the shrimp while you boil water for the pasta, heat the ragu and simmer the onions, with all fumes inhaled by a pop-up, multi-level, down-draft ventilation system.

The freezer can store a month’s meat, fish and specialty items. By following the built-in timer and heat settings, the Breville oven will cook them to perfection.

Day Head

The day head is all about functionality. Underway or at anchorage, the crew have ready access to a stylish, compact mid-boat facility. At night, that capability remains but this head also can be accessed privately by the lucky residents of the starboard cabin.

A mid-ship day head serves crew needs underway and allows private starboard cabin access by night.

Salon

The standard MJM50 has a gianormous salon below decks, the place no one wants to be when the airy, sunny pilot house and cockpit call. Casta Diva’s salon, lifted from the MJM40, is big enough to breakfast five, serve as a quiet space to do some computer work or accommodate a drowsy couple in overnight luxury.

Experience has demonstrated that the enormous, standard salon seating lies largely unused as most people want to take their meals and spend their time in the bright sunshine and fresh air of the pilot house. This salon configuration is taken directly from the MJM40 and, when short-handed or in rainy weather, its seating will accommodate four diners comfortably, or even five in a pinch.

The infinitely adjustable table height allows computer users to type at their individually preferred height.

At night, the lowered table, with a filler cushion, becomes a comfortable double.

Helm Station

The helm station instruments were custom-arranged to make operating the boat easier, safer and more efficient. The top-of-the-line Raymarine Axion Chartplotter was new in 2023.

Note that the electric compass — far and away the easiest way to steer at most speeds — is located directly in front of the helmsman. After a season of inconvenience, the standard fiddle was removed to make hand control comfortable. Note also that the joy stick’s position allows the helmsman to face aft when backing up, standing near the boat’s centerline. The fast-acting Humphree trim and stabilizer system significantly reduces pounding in lumpy seas while increasing fuel efficiency and improving visibility.

Pilot House

The Pilot House is Casta Diva central, where both the action and fun take place. By day, the helm station is all pleasurable business but, at cocktail hour, its sliding windows and rollable curtains connect seamlessly to the Bimini-shaded cockpit to welcome all aboard for the camaraderie that makes adventure cruising a rare delight.

The standard MJM50 pilot house table is simply too narrow to accommodate six, so Casta Diva has a custom table that does just that. Chairs from the cockpit complete the seating.

With the windows slid forward and the door and aft curtains rolled up, the pilot house joins the cockpit as a huge communal space open to the breezes, where everyone can unwind at the end of the day.

In the evening, with the table lowered and privacy curtains dropped, the pilot house becomes a double with, when necessary, another single berth to port.

Below Decks

Two lockers of vast storage are functionally desirable, harboring spares and rarely used necessities (such as a second anchor) as well as temporary home to awkward suitcases. But you have not known luxury and convenience aboard until you have cruised with a Seakeeper and a washer/dryer. Rolling anchorages are in your past and fresh clothes and bedding are always in your future. When you are ready to go ashore, the Torqueedo engine awaits, with battery automatically charged.

The Seakeeper, Miele washer and dryer, outboard motor and water maker live in a huge lazarette below the pilot house, accessed for use and maintenance by a broad wooden stairway. The current owner flatly states that “the single best decision I made when building this boat was adding the Miele washer and dryer. Towels, bathing suits and sleeping bags can be refreshed easily and regularly and the amount of clothing necessary for voyaging is halved. Once you cruise with a washer and dryer aboard, you’ll never be without them again.”

The superb electric Torquedo outboard stores on custom brackets in the pilot house lazarette, with the battery automatically charged whenever the boat is underway. A second Torquedo battery stores on another custom bracket to starboard.

The port and starboard pilot house lazarettes are large enough to store small bicycles, extra anchors, life rafts (when not making passages) hard suitcase, ship spares, extra sleeping bags, and all the snorkeling gear you ever will need.

Cockpit

Here, you can barbecue with greater control than live coals, refresh your drink with copious ice, and set the table for a plein air dinner. The cockpit is for at-anchor relaxing and socializing with evening beverages, not with the cockpit half in the shade (as with the meager standard Bimini) but fully covered by Casta Diva’s custom replacement.

The standard armature hanging off the stern of every other MJM50 looks like (excuse) a loaded diaper. Casta Diva has a custom three-pole Bimini that can be rigged by one person in under five minutes. It stores out of the way and, underway, allows the Casta Diva to retain her graceful dignity. Experience has proven that it has no problem at 15 knots.

In an unexpected nighttime rain, the standard Bimini collects water and stresses the cover. Not so our Bimini: with a tweak of the center pole, all of the rain flows aft and is deposited on the boat’s swim platform with no weighty puddle.

Meat, fish, veggies: grill masters, prepare to operate. This electric grill heats up quickly, with more control and easier cleaning than any landlubber Weber, ever.

This Bimini covers the entire cockpit, providing welcoming shade on super-sunny days.

Good cruising practice calls for a daily cleaning of the engine filters and a check on oil and coolant levels. During over 1100 hours of operation, Casta Diva has not used a drop of oil, but she does require daily reviews of her cooling fluid. The Low Coolant fill is ultra-sensitive and an alarm will sound long before engine temperatures begin to rise.

CRANE AND DINGHY

Admittedly, there really are temptations ashore, and cruising crews need a safe and convenient ways to access these pleasures. Rather than compromise Doug Zurn’s gracious lines by stacking an inflatable on the transom, your quick, safe, hard-bottomed RIB lives on the hardtop, ready to be powered (gently) by the ever ready, electric Torqueedo outboard.

“She is a classic yacht design that is both practical and liveable. Below, you are surrounded by flawless woodwork and painstaking attention to detail, while at the helm, her joystick control docking, even for a beginner, will be easy and safe.”

— Yachting Magazine