Johnson Boat Works

Johnson Boat Works was a legendary American boatbuilding company specializing in racing sailboats of the scow design, based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Founded in 1896 by Norwegian immigrant John O. Johnson (who arrived in the U.S. in 1893), the yard revolutionized inland lake sailing with lightweight, planing scows that prioritized speed and simplicity over traditional deep-keel hulls. Operating for over 100 years until its closure in 1998, Johnson produced thousands of boats, establishing the modern scow classes (A, B, C, D, E, MC, N, I-20, X-Boat) that dominate Midwest regattas. The company's innovations—such as flat-bottomed hulls with centerboards—made scows accessible for club racing, influencing builders like Melges (who acquired the scow molds in 1998). Johnson's legacy endures in active fleets, with many wooden and fiberglass hulls still competing in 2025.