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Fleming, Marlow, Hampton, and Outer Reef,

Discussion in 'Marlow Yacht' started by Cliff Brown, Mar 25, 2022.

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  1. Cliff Brown

    Cliff Brown New Member

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    Good morning, I am new to the Yacht Forum and looking for information based on experience on the above-mentioned boats in the 55 to 65ft range. I have been an avid boater all my life and recently retired for the second time after selling our Boat Dealership in Texas. Now it's our time. My wife and I have started our search for a yacht we can travel on along the East and West Coast of the United States, do parts of the Great Loop and also travel to the Caribbean. We want something we can handle; I can do most of the maintenance on, have another couple or two, Kids and Grandkids once in a while. I appreciate everyone's opinion but please make them based on experience. Good or Bad.
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    You have asked about 4 very different boats and widely varied cruising grounds from the Caribbean to the Great Loop to both the East and West Coast.

    Are you looking at new or used?

    Fleming would be great for any of the purposes you've outlined. I would recommend the 58 or the 65. Excellent boats, modest air draft, good seaworthiness.

    Marlow is very much hit and miss and varies widely from boat to boat even in the same model. Many have cavitation and other performance issues. Some also are subpar in rough seas. I could not recommend one.

    Hampton and Outer Reef both are taller than the Fleming and depending on what parts of the loop, that could be a problem. Hampton's hardtops will fit under the 19'6" of Chicago if nothing placed on top. Outer Reef I believe would require some modification, depending on model. I'm a fan of Outer Reef and feel they're often overlooked as a good option. I'm far less a fan of Hampton and don't consider their ride in rough seas as good although do have friends who are very happy with their Hampton.

    My choices would be as follows:

    1. Fleming
    2. Ocean Reef
    3. Hampton
    99. Marlow
    FlyingGolfer, Capt J and Cliff Brown like this.
  3. Cliff Brown

    Cliff Brown New Member

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    We are looking for something used 2016 or newer or new if can't find what we like. I take it you are not a fan of the Marlow, seeing how we went from 3 to 99 LOL. Thanks again for your opinion. Do you mine me asking what boat you have? I love the look of the Fleming and feel like I have already traveled a lot in one by watching all of Tony's you tube videos.
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I have nothing of the nature you're considering. We have Riva, Pacific Mariner, Westport, AB, Contender. Nearest to the range you're looking at, but very different, we owned a Sunseeker Manhattan 65, which was our loop boat. Likely to get a Sunseeker Manhattan 68 for repeat of loop. If Fleming was a bit faster, we'd be very tempted to own one for the Loop.
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  5. Cliff Brown

    Cliff Brown New Member

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    Do you have a web site?
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    No
  7. motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I am not a big fan of the Marlow’s because upon deeper digging you will find that some had issues and they were not very responsible in solving the problems. That being said I have been seeing a lot of them on the water and am looking for a new to me boat and right now there are not a lot of choices in quasi trawler boats. I was on vacation in sarasota this week and the weather was poor so we went to Marlow in Palmetto and toured 3 (a 53, 58, & 61). Very nice woodwork and interiors. Engine rooms are a bit tight, a mixture of components (dometic for HVAC which i am familiar with and then the windlass and davit were names I was not familiar with). So sourceing parts in the US may be a mixed bag. None of the 3 I toured had engine room access from with in the boat. You had to go to the aft deck and lift a hatch. I don’t like that but maybe I am overdoing that. Can’t tell you why but I didn’t like the flybridges that much. Seemed spartan and not as well outfitted as the lower helm. The salesperson said that all Marlows are only made upon order. No spec boats. So each one can be very different. I must also say that the owner’s I have spoken to them seem to be happy with them.

    I have toured 1 Fleming. would love a Fleming but most (not the 58 and above) have the master stateroom in the bow which is a no go for me. Engine rooms are tight. But the 58 has a center master and I could get over the tight engine room. Would love a Fleming but not a lot on the market. I will be buying used and don’t want over 60’.

    Have fun in your search.
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2022
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  8. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Owned a 73' outer reef. Was built for us. They build a good boat and stood behind their products. Would build another without hesitation. Call Mike at the office, he'll guide you in the right direction.
    Fleming is a great boat but much smaller in volume than OR. This matters when living aboard.
    Good luck.
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  9. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    +1
  10. 993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    I ran one Hampton for a survey sea trial. 58' with a pair of QSM11's. That boat is not intended for open water.
    55 Fleming is pretty and well built as you get newer but small for her size (started life as a 50'), engine room is tiny and the bow master. 58' & 65 nice but good luck finding one.
    Marlow. If you are particular about your boats engineering, cavitation, exhaust engineering and smooth running gear you will not get one through survey.
    Grand Banks Aleutian hell yea! 3- 72's on the market (extended/cockpit 64) built like tanks!
  11. Charlesocean

    Charlesocean New Member

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    I have been pouring over information available and trying to figure out a reason to not like the Marlow. I have been board a couple Different Marlows and have been nothing but impressed. I get the lawsuits and have not had a test ride yet so I am very anxious to see how that goes.
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  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    If you find a used one that does a good sea trial and does well through the survey, you should play the lottery with your extreme good luck, but then go with it. If it doesn't have the cavitation issues and doesn't have ride issues, then it may be a tolerable boat and you won't have to deal with the company themselves. With all the solid boat brands, I just don't see a reason to go through all that. No two are the same so you could luck out. I'd bet against it, but possible.
  13. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    In love with the boat and the price of the boat, I get it. I don’t have a Marlow, never been on one.
    I have been reading guidance from the professionals and Corinthian captains here and I would put them out of my mind.
    I don’t know what I don’t know. How do I know a given seatrial captain or surveyor will know? They should, but do they?
    A boat should be a blessing to you not a nightmare. All that said, is there a Marlow that could be right? Sure but oddsmakers here are not keen on it.
    Maybe find blogs from Marlow owners who have done the type of cruising you envision or interview Marlow owners?
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  14. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    When we first started considering boats, looking largely online to get an idea, we were attracted to a Marlow for the loop and attracted to their 97 for long cruising. Then we found out more. Now, buying used, you don't have to ever deal with Marlow so that's a plus. Still, no two boats alike and so many issues.

    Now, why do suits matter to a used buyer or disagreements over warranty? Because the issues never got fixed in many cases. You're not going to be told it has this problem or that which no one has ever been able to correct. Calls for intense survey and trials.
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  15. Cliff Brown

    Cliff Brown New Member

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    Thanks for the insight. I am flying to MD next month to look at a few Flemings. I am also looking for a mid ship
    We have been on a few Marlow's and Hamptons but haven't been on a Fleming yet. I say that but feel like I know Flemings because of the many Tony Fleming You tube videos. I am with you on the midship masters I won't purchase one with a bow master. After owning a dealership for over 16 years, I have delt with MANY Manufactures who thought Dealers were trying to turn Warranty into a profit center. I would like to think some of these issues were isolated. I've read issues and complaints on the Marlow, and Hamptons, but I read most with an open mind and consider the issues. IMO when buying a new boat the customer should NEVER be left with issues.

    We are flying to MD in May to look at several Flemings and hopefully get a better feel for them in person. I am also going to make a pros and cons list for the final two boats we decide on and buy the one that fits us, our needs, and wants the best.
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  16. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Buying a new boat without issues seems very unusual. Although we would have to define issues.
    Perhaps, as @olderboater always recommends, no acceptance of a new boat until satisfactory survey. I wonder, as a dealer professional, did you ever encounter new vessel buyers who required or requested a pre acceptance survey?
    It seems a certified surveyor may be the correct person to decide what is and is not a problem, no?
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The ONLY yacht that REALLY scared the SH$# out of me in a relatively calm sea 2-4' off the stern 1/4 was a Marlow. We were at 16 knot cruise and it pitched so violently that it threw a 12 drink cooler across the entire flybridge and it hit the inside of the flybridge 2' above the deck and exploded and nearly threw everyone off of the flybridge. I have also seen many design issues, on the larger ones, if you're at a dock with 6-12" waves rolling into the transom it stuffs the swim platform, shudders the entire boat and sends spray as high as the flybridge.
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  18. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Stayed next to a marlow in guano that did that exact thing. Super annoying for us with the constant noise.
  19. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Most all of them do that in the 50-75' range, the entire boat shudders inside.
  20. Cliff Brown

    Cliff Brown New Member

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    You are 100% correct, I don't think we ever sold a boat we didn't have to do something to in order to get it ready for the customer. I always look at my dealership as the buffer between the factories and our customers.
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