From Canvas to Masterpiece
Teamwork is the brushstroke that made the Marlow 100V a work of art.
By definition, a masterpiece is “a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship” (thanks Oxford). Additionally, it can be considered as the greatest work of a person’s career.
Now, take a renowned yacht builder, David Marlow, who was basically born with saltwater in his veins, add an owner who has been around all kinds of boats for almost 60 years (from cruisers to center consoles to a 100-plus-foot Burger) with various propulsion systems (power and sail) while cruising the Great Lakes, U.S. East Coast, and the Bahamas/Caribbean extensively, and the result is a yacht designed and built on a master level.
The collaboration of these two forces produced the new Marlow 100V (Voyager). With a classic lapstrake-style hull, timeless lines, and tri-deck design that is pure Marlow, the 100V stands apart from the fleet on its own merits.
Acting as curators of sorts, the Marlow Yachts team of more than 400 artisans brings the canvas, tools, and know-how. The client brings inspirations, dreams, styles, and desires that the Marlow team works with to create the masterpiece. In this case, it all blended to develop the 100-foot yacht that feels bigger, has craftsmanship that exceeds larger yachts, and the seaworthiness that the owner can safely set sail to any destination.
Let’s Begin on the Main Deck
Stepping into the carpeted salon, it’s apparent that the owners wanted a yacht they could call their own. The sheer vastness of the main deck is accented by large salon windows and controlled lighting to set the mood. With a super-plush L-shaped sofa to starboard and individual chairs and ottomans, the owners opted for freestanding furnishings versus built-ins to allow for future redesign and furniture swap-outs. Dual movable coffee tables (that stack for space savings) ensure each seat has a spot to place drinks or food.
Just forward is the formal dining area. No bulkheads or columns separate this area, as
the owners wanted an open layout. Adding to the unimpeded flow of light, reduced shadows, and just a splash of panache, the owners chose a Lucite acrylic glass dining table with eight Lucite low-profile chairs. The table is art itself, with three intertwined rings of wood for legs, which are bolted to the floor as well as the table. Burl wood accentuates the artwork on the forward bulkhead. Above, the light fixture has its own contemporary take on a three-ring, interlock theme. Art indeed!
The amount of storage Marlow builds into the 100V is noteworthy. The marble-topped credenza that surrounds the dining area is full of cabinets and drawers, easily holding dinner service for 24 guests. Details in the wood are exceptional, including radius edging and router-cut channels to accentuate the fit, finish, and details of the hand-selected Burmese Teak.
Collaboration abounds in the country kitchen. With the helm up in the Command Bridge, the chef gets the five-star views with this full-beam galley tucked up to the forward windshield. A honeycombed, marble-topped, oversized island contains four pull-out SubZero fridge/freezer drawers. With what seems like a mile of counter space that runs across the front and sides, there’s a Dacor flat cooktop with pot rails and a deep sink. Four additional fridge/freezer draws are located under counter, as are dual Fisher & Paykel dishwashers, Dacor microwave, and separate convection oven. Keeping the crowd close by is an aft split table, suitable for morning coffee, informal meals, or socializing.
The owner wanted a way to separate the kitchen from the salon, so the team at Marlow Yachts made a few adjustments to the bulkhead and installed a pocket door. One key reason was for the owner’s grandkids to be in the kitchen while the adults relaxed in the salon. Accommodations to the design like this are what impressed the owner and trusting that Marlow could deliver.
Going Up
The Command Bridge offers great visibility and protection as it’s fully enclosed. With four Garmin multifunction displays, navigation and ship monitoring is a breeze. Controls including CAT engine monitors, thruster controls, throttles, and more are on the dash, while an array of switches and lights are found on the overhead console. To starboard is a flat storage bin with the cover sufficiently sized to layout paper charts.
A twin Stidd guest chair is to starboard of the Stidd helm chair, both made with diamond-stitched Ultra leather. Just aft is an L-shaped settee, a great spot for relaxing and taking in the sights. The captain’s quarters has a desk and ensuite head with shower stall. To port is a day head, wet bar, and wine cooler. All windows have electric blinds, and there’s access to the aft deck that can house a 17-foot tender, davit, and four-person hot tub.
Up top is the open Flybridge deck with pod-style helm station, twin displays, aft settee and table, integrated hardtop, and a double sunpad.
Down But Not Out
While heading below to the accommodations, take note of the curved teak wall, seamless joinery, and rich satin finish that is found here and all throughout the yacht. Mitered edges, dovetail joints, and teak-and-holly flooring are evidence of the high-end craftsmanship for which Marlow Yachts are famous.
The large foyer leads to four staterooms with ensuite heads. Aft is the full-beam master with center king berth, more than a dozen drawers and lockers, and his-and-hers head with center shower.
The forward VIP suite has one of five watertight bulkheads built in, a safety feature to thwart any flooding. Guest rooms are to port and starboard, each with ample storage for, as the owner told me, “When we get on the yacht, we unpack once.” Cedar-lined closets, heads with shower stalls, TVs, and portholes adorn each room.
Marlow designs a mechanical space below the accommodation deck. Entered via a floor hatch, there’s access to pumps, water lines, tank fittings,
plumbing, and more. It makes sense to have the machinery that supports the staterooms close to them—not an easy feat as weights, balance, and accessibility all have to be considered. Noteworthy is that each hose is double clamped.
When asked which is their favorite spot on board, the owners couldn’t decide on just one. They did point out areas where one can have a quiet oasis or private gathering other than the main salon. Have a mini party at the foredeck/Portuguese bridge split settee with table. Or go up to the lounge pads or covered table on the Flybridge deck. There’s always the settee on the Command Bridge deck. Or a favorite is in the galley, a typical congregation point.
Power Up
More into a cruising lifestyle than go-fast, the Marlow 100V is still no slouch on the speed curve. Wide open, this 220,000-pound (dry) yacht tops out at 24.6 knots with a reciprocal average of 22.4 knots, a good cut of speed to beat a storm or bridge opening. Pull back to 8.1 knots to cruise about 5,254 nautical miles. Powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines delivering 1,900 horsepower each, they are snug in the engine room but have full access for serviceability.
A separate mechanical room houses two Kohler 65kW 3-phase generators and ancillary systems, and there are crew quarters for two with head and access to the lazarette/garage.
For the build, Marlow’s Full Stack Infusion process ensures a solid and safe hull with fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon fiber. Titanium parts, CuproNickel piping in place of hoses, and 316L stainless steel ensure longevity of parts, and the honeycombed backing reduces weight while maintaining rigidity.
The owners have been out of “big boat” yachting for 10 years and now step back into a 100-footer. With grown kids and grandchildren on the scene, the owners want to be able to share different experiences with each of their families.
“We have flown kites with the kids from the top of our boats to trolling up dinner on the way to the Bahamas,” they explained. Now, they want to do that with their grandkids. “The boat is a great bonding experience. It really brings us together.”
From finalizing the design to turning the keys over, I asked the owner if there were any surprises during the build process. Other than a little delay in getting his yacht due to COVID, he said that there was one surprise. “It came in on budget!”
-by Tom Serio
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