Entertaining At It’s Very Best!
The latest Marlow Yachts 58E goes the distance with new features and innovations.
Story and Photos By Tom Serio, Southern Boating 2021
Choosing a boat can be a meticulous process, but for those that choose to cruise the coast, or head offshore to distant islands, or entertain in port, the Marlow Yachts 58E is the perfect choice.
Strolling through the latest 58E, it’s easy to spot at least a dozen locations on board suited for socially distant gatherings. On this new build, Marlow introduced a new feature: an aft beach club. Beyond being a new social space, the beach club offers an option to include a berth and head for comfort, and the deck allows for closer interaction with the water to easily go for a swim, launch the water toys, or relax with a cocktail away from the crowd above.
The Main Attraction
Perfect for an afternoon soirée or evening dinner is the covered aft main deck. A transom settee seats three comfortably at the teak dining table with plenty of room around to add chairs. Port and starboard side boarding gates allow easy access from the dock, and the staircases on each side offer access to and from the swim platform.
The walkaround deck to the bow is covered along the house structure, and the high gunwales and rails make for a secured transit or to just stop and take in the views. To handle any green water that may occasionally ship onboard from rough seas, Marlow Yachts are designed with a Portuguese bridge on the foredeck. Its function is for safety, as it deflects away wash water wash from running down the decks. Thanks to a new redesign, the 58E has two side doors in the bridge that lead to the foredeck. Besides quick access to the side deck, the design allows for a large, center cushioned bench seat instead of two separate smaller seats…another great spot to relax and enjoy the view
The salon is open and airy, and that’s not by accident. Marlow maxes out the useable area on the 18-foot, 6-inch beam by relocating the engine room air intakes from a horizontal position along the house structure to a vertical vent system nestled in the aft corners. This removes the need for duct work under the salon settee which allows for it nestle up against the wall which adds much more floor space to the salon for transiting or additional furnishings.
True to form, the 58E salon has an overhead grabrail leading fore/aft, but the one on our test boat was not the traditional teak design but a polished stainless steel rail. This, along with the Glacier White Ultra Leather used on the starboard L-settee and ceiling panels, the teak and ebony flooring, and a white lapstrake finish on the forward bulkhead, shows that an owner can customize the interior based on a desired decorum.
Feed Me
Designed for the owner/operator in mind, the 58E incorporates a galley forward layout that has many benefits. Not only does it give the chef commanding views forward, it puts everything the chef will need in a centerline U-shaped setup. Counters are topped with Zeus Blanco Silestone (used throughout the yacht), and all appliances are undercounter that displays a clean, open, and unobstructed area.
Appliances include four 30-inch Sub-Zero undercounter fridge/freezer drawers, a five-burner Dacor induction cooktop with pot rails, Dacor oven, side-by-side large stainless sinks, and more. A hidden Cuisinart microwave is located in a recessed, covered cubby.
This layout is on a raised deck from the salon and includes an oversized, twin-post teak dinette just aft with plenty of room for guests to see the action in the galley. The L-settee is well cushioned and comfortable and is a great spot for morning coffee or to get on the laptop and get some work done.
To starboard is the lower helm, another first for the 58E design. Compact in size, but fully functional, it allows navigation on longer runs or when standing watch and supplements the upper helm. For the cruising couple, it offers another option for safe passage. With port and starboard side deck doors, the lower controls assist in docking and make for easy access when handling lines.
Very Fly
Spending an entire day on the upper deck isn’t out of the questions. It’ll be a favorite spot for family and quests. With the optional, integrated forward windshield and hardtop, the 58E offers semi-enclosed protection from the elements in a comfortable environment. Standard is an open bridge layout, but the optional wraparound structure that supports the forward windows and adds to the overall profile is a preferred choice. Wiper systems are on all three windshields, molded-in overhead console boxes house switches, breakers, and small displays, and with overhead lighting, the benefits are worth it.
Twin Stidd helm chairs make operation comfortable on long runs and allows a companion to assist in navigation. Ample counter space is suitable for laying out paper charts, cruising guides, and smaller gear, such as binoculars.
Just aft of the helm is a starboard L- settee with cushioned seating and fiberglass table. A teak table would be nice, but for ease of maintenance as in “hose and go,” this works well. An entertainment center to port houses a fridge, grill, and sink. Behind the settee is a large sunpad with storage underneath, so it’s easy to load up the provisions and relax for the whole day at the dock or at anchor.
The aft flybridge deck is sizable enough for water toy storage, so the 58E can have an Airex 1,000 lb. davit. Of course, a few lounge chairs can fill the area, too. Ringed by high, secured railings, the area is a safe place to be. An aft deck staircase or the interior floating staircase by the helm provides easy access.
Down but Not Out
A bit of a departure for Marlow, yet a good example of how an owner can style this yacht, is in the accommodations on the lower deck. In the ensuite heads, the standard layout of teak trim and cabinets is very nice, but this owner had the heads finished in all white, including the flooring and painting the teak wood. It adds to the relaxed feel while making for easy maintenance. Notables are the stainless inlays in the floor and shower deck that add a modern touch, are durable, and eliminate the need for grout.
Utilizing the full beam of the 58E is the master with centerline king berth. Drawers and lockers are well suited for long stays. Four opening port windows, high ceiling, and recessed lighting keep the master from feeling closed in.
In the forward VIP is a queen berth and two small upper bunks, suitable for small children who can’t sleep alone or for extra storage of gear. A third stateroom has twin berths and a basin sink counter.
Steady As She Goes
The 58E is outfitted with a pair of Caterpillar C18 diesel engines rated at 1,150 hp each that can reach a range of 1,500 nm at 8.1 knots, great for long range cruising. Step it up to 9.6 knots for a range of 1,029 nm and a burn rate of 14 gph. For those with the time for extended cruising, those are impressive numbers. Hit the sticks to 1,800 RPM and see 19 knots with 64 gph and 445 nm range. I saw 26.7 knots at wide open throttle, pretty spry for a 69,000-pound yacht. Know that the power is there when and if needed, so you won’t be caught short.
As important as speed and efficiency are on Marlow yachts, seakeeping ability and comfort are top of the list. One example is that Marlow incorporates their proprietary Velocijet Strut Keels on the 58E which protect the propeller shafts and running gear as well as add stability and improved tracking. David Marlow has done exhaustive research and design in the Velocijet keels over the years to the benefit of his owners.
Throughout the 58E, you’ll find additional features and cool ideas that the folks at Marlow think about. The aforementioned beach club can configure as a crew cabin or utility/work space if clubbing isn’t your thing. Options include electric thrusters, watermaker, Naiad stabilizers, additional freezers for provisions, a 3,500-watt inverter system, or a fold-down radar mast if cruising inland waterways such as the Great Loop.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 67’ 8″
LWL: 54’ 4”
Beam: 18’ 6”
Draft: 4’ 10”
Displacement: 69,000 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 1,500/300 Gals.
Max/Cruise Speed: ???
Range at Cruise: ???
Power: 2 x Caterpillar C18 1,150 hp diesel engines
Contact: Marlow Yachts
marlowyachts.com
