This is at rest, docked or anchored. The transom is flat, so the wave rolls into/under the platform itself and stuffs it full hitting the flat transom, the energy has nowhere to go, water shoots straight up in the air as high as FB deck and the entire boat shutters. I watched it for 2 days as I was docked directly across the dock from it, it happened during incoming tide so 6 hours twice a day.....if a small boat wake rolled in there, the owner said it was miserable. The aft deck was all wet from the spray. Other designs have holes in the deck, OR a large 1" crack across the entire swim platform to allow the air/water to escape or a flat transom that goes across at the end of the swim platform. LOL, there are more faults than merits, on all of them.
Stayed next to a marlow in Guana cay years ago and it sneezed badly. It was annoying for us while eating on the back deck of our vessel, the noise was that loud. The waves were minimal. Didn't board the boat so can't give opinion on it shuddering but it spit enough to get dock wet ( stern tie)
I don't hate Marlows. They have many design and engineering issues (and subsequent lawsuits). Plain and Simple. Buy it and enjoy!
Cowger, this entire 8 page thread is filled with first hand experiences of many different Marlow's of all sizes with serious vibration issues.
There are many that have had a bad experience with Marlow's mainly because of the experimental process they were going thru with a non-typical bottom/propulsion design that was being tweaked on every boat. They are a flashy boat at the dock with those dark blue hulls and varnished cap rails and teak decks and a nice interior. Vibration and ride are the main issues. That was the problem with our sea trial, but the exterior maintenance I observed was also an issue. All teak cap rails needed striping and revarnish the dark blue hull needed some repaint and many faring repairs due to excessive heat from the dark color in the Florida sun, along with a bolt-on swim platform that was a bad design. Just way more exterior maintenance than I care to deal with on a regular schedule. We had issues with Marlow Marine Sales at Palmetto, Fl which we posted in this thread which ended any possibility of us buying a Marlow. Good luck with your Marlow pursuit, nice pics with extended hull swim platform. A thorough sea trial should expose any ride or vibration issues.
And dealing with Marlow is always playing with fire. If they have nothing to do with the boat then you can sea trial and survey and see if it's the 1 out of 10 that has no problems.
Seems a bit sensitive given the varied and common perspectives amidst the group here...but I guess when you don't hear the answers you like...
l’m impressed. You insult the folks sharing their experiences and now feign victim of attacks by folks you’re attacking. Too much irony for one day.
I'm always confused by those who come here and ask questions, are answered by many people, then don't like the answers and turn on those who answered and on the forum in general. Why ask if you've already made up your mind on what you're going to do? Just a warning, you can talk yourself into a huge mistake. Warnings are made not to fall in love with a boat until it's been sea trialed and surveyed. I'd suggest you read Bayoubud's initial post in starting the thread, the responses he got, what he did, and how he ultimately ran away from Marlow. As I've said, you may get the one out of 10 without a vibration or other ride issues. If so, great. Just don't listen to excuses from brokers as to the problem or anyone selling you a simple fix. I've known boats to end up back at Marlow and I've not known of them ever correcting these issues. Now, I do know buyers who didn't have issues and loved their boats.
Ouch. That term will leave a mark with him when considering his outrage over my comment that he was being "a bit sensitive".
Reviving old thread. I just came back from the Miami boat show, and was intrigued by the Marlowe's there. Once I am done with my sportfishing boat, a MY will probably be my next purchase. So, slowly looking at different builders. The Marlowe's do show well. We liked the interior flexibility, etc. This thread removes them from the eventual list. We did like also Princess, Shaefer, Sunseeker, Riva, Pershing, so those will be on the list moving forward.
Wiredup (and anyone else out there looking at Marlow): I've enjoyed multiple seasons on my Marlow 53E with none of the issues described by some above and completely happy with the purchase. I have met a couple of Marlow owners who experienced some of the mentioned problems during their boat searches before they eventually found the Marlow they purchased. I know others who are on their second or third Marlow and enjoying life.
My marina neighbor bought a Marlow, 70 that has some age on her. He has had it two years now going south, Bahamas and back to the Chesapeake. They like it other that the normal boat stuff. I guess you look for one that is dialed in and go have fun.
I tend to agree that even the builders whose reputation isn't exactly outstanding can build decent boats, and that the owners' care/mindset can make a massive difference between two boats of the very same builder. So, I'm not sure I would suggest anyone to not even consider a Marlow, if that's the type of boat that ticks most of his boxes. Then again, wiredup said he also likes some other boats of primary builders - which I actually find surprising, to some extent. I mean, there aren't many similarities between a Pershing and a Marlow, aside from being both designed to float. Anyhow, if someone likes two boats, comparably well maintained, one of which originally built by Marlow and the other by Riva, pocking the safer choice is a no brainer, really...
They are for sure two different types of boats. I was simply listing boats that caught our eye at the show.