In the early summer of last year, YACHT brought together the class of touring boats with a hull length of ten metres for a comparison test on the Baltic Sea (issues 16 and 17/2015). Now there is another competitor yacht from the USA in this segment. Marlow Hunter in Florida is enriching the market for potential entry-level yachts with a new vessel, the Marlow Hunter 31. Dealer André Hochfeld from the Yacht dealership Hamburg has brought it to Germany and is showing it as a European premiere at the Boat show in Düsseldorf.
The 31 is the smallest model in the Marlow Hunter cruising programme. The look and the general concept are based on the larger sisters 33, 37 and 40 (test in YACHT 4/14). The boats from Florida are generally considered to be extremely robust and built to a high standard. Among other things, the shipyard reinforces the sandwich laminates of the hull and deck with Kevlar fabrics in high-stress areas. Laminating is done by hand with vinyl ester resins.
The focus of the concept is primarily on comfort, safety and single-handed capability. To this end, Marlow Hunter cruising boats are equipped with a furling mast and a short overlapping genoa as standard, including the new 31. Another typical shipyard detail is the simple, self-trimming B&R rig (Bergström & Ridder) with no backstay. Of course, the new ship will also have the characteristic stainless steel tarp bracket above the cockpit. It banishes the mainsheet guide from the cockpit and is also suitable for attaching a large sprayhood or a cake stand.
The interior is designed with the needs of families in mind and features a layout with two separate cabins, an extremely spacious wet room and a galley fitted lengthways in the saloon. The aft cabin is unusually installed transversely aft. However, there are no plans for an alternative layout.
The German dealer quotes a current gross price of 143,000 euros, including EU equipment and 220-volt power supply. The price includes the B&R furling mast, a crockery dryer and a boat storage rack.
The Marlow Hunter 31 will be on display at the trade fair in Hall 15, Stand A 01.
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Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
