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Long
distance or local cruising will never be the same. The
Marlow Voyager 76LR was introduced at the Miami International Boat Show February 2010.

A New
Star is on the Horizon – the Marlow Voyager 76LR and her soon to be
announced sister ships in larger and smaller versions. Marlow
Yachts is introducing a series of new yachts rendering today’s slow and
heavy displacement cruisers obsolete in form, function, capability,
internal volume and style.
This new line with extreme range and capability will compliment the very
successful Marlow Explorer lineup, though having slightly lower speed
potential.
Today’s
long distance voyager is limited to a snail’s pace if ocean crossing is
in the cruising plan. Speeds must be kept very low unless circuitous
routing to out of the way ports and multiple stops are included. In fact
Full Displacement shapes are not the most
economical or seaworthy shape available, despite the all knowing dock
lore bought and sold. Factually, their contorted lines cause unnecessary
wetted surface drag and uncomfortable rolling at anchor, dockside and
underway. The new Marlow Voyager range will go where they
cannot go in comfort, economy and safety they cannot achieve
while exhibiting a style far beyond the high, boxy and cumbersome shapes
that is the common design. It makes no sense whatsoever to build a tower
of babble (pun intended) that feels as if it too may fall over should
the oversized stabilizers fail, while carrying a draft penalty
unacceptable for Florida, Caribbean and a lot of other cruising.
Current
offshore passage makers rely on grossly oversized stabilizers, pig iron
ballast and excessive draft to counter their very high centers of
gravity, rendering many of the world’s most exotic port, coves and
harbors out of the question, while limiting intercoastal travel to the
best maintained sections. At the same time, the extra 3-4 feet of
overall height prohibits or restricts many cruises and causes
unnecessary delays requiring bridges to be opened. Placing heavy dry
exhaust stack systems high in the air not only subjects the occupants to
diesel smell and soot but adds an enormous lever arm with its
unacceptable weight dramatically reducing natural stability. After
sitting a while it is normal for them to belch a load of exhaust soot
and rust at first ignition, not a great start.
Their
inter island or local cruising times are excessive due to very limited
speed potential. Daylight hours limit passages to a practical
distance of 50-70 miles, for an 8-10 hour run, turning modest weekend
trips into round the clock watches.
The
Marlow Voyager has the ability to cross any ocean
nonstop at speeds 30% greater than today’s round bottom, slow, cramped
interior volume vessels and offers “Unrestricted Navigation”
certificates provided by classification inspections under
construction and complete construction-design review by the top
governing classification today. Offering the most prestigious of
Inspected Classification, “Unrestricted Navigation” is but one facet of
this exciting new breakthrough design. This classification is rare and
virtually none of the current crop of offshore cruisers has achieved
that status.
Thoroughly proven nonstop ability from West Palm Beach to Gibraltar or
San Diego to the Line Islands, the Marlow Voyager will carry their crew
in silence, comfort, luxury and speeds not attainable by any other
power yacht on earth today under 120’.

Usable
onboard volume is as much as 30% greater than today’s compromised
offerings yet overall height is typically 15-25% lower than offshore
cruisers available today resulting in form stability that is unequaled.
This radically improved form stability allows modest stabilization
equipment to perform in a far superior manner to overtaxed systems
required to dampen heavy rolling so prevalent in today’s typical rounded
bottom, slow displacement cruiser. At anchor, comfort is assured by the
same enhanced form stability. For those rough Caribbean anchorages a
proprietary and redundant passive stabilization system takes over and
provides over 50% greater stability and resistance to rolling, without
need for electrical or diesel power. The use of solar panels takes
advantage of the suns power and reduces the overall generator use.
Boasting nearly seven feet of headroom in her voluminous machinery
spaces with an overall height of just over 18’6” to the top of the
Command Bridge and a draft of just 5’ the new Voyager from Marlow is
able to cruise inland through the Great Loop or non-stop from San Diego
to Tahiti.
At the
landfall of their choice, these rugged little ships will exhibit ability
to routinely do daylight hours passages of more than double
the best of today’s passage makers, while providing a ride comfort
unattainable elsewhere.
Mechanical details are equal to or greater than typical military vessels
but are contained within perhaps the world’s most beautiful and
functional exterior. Big ship features such as welded Cupronickel and
316L solid piping in lieu of hoses and clamps, Sea Chests and lack of
underwater fittings provide ease of management rarely seen on yachts
less than 150’ length.
The
gleaming white machinery spaces offer perfect access to all components
without gymnastics, while her safety and monitoring systems are the most
effective in the industry.
We
believe this new series to be the highest technology yacht available
today in construction, materials and workmanship.
The
command bridge has a two seat helm station with an easily accessible
array of electronic navigation equipment and controls. A large,
comfortable lounge and table easily accommodate friends and family with
a refrigerator/icemaker, sink and storage cabinets for snacks underway.
The day head, while convenient, is not obvious in its location. The
upper deck is equipped with dual davits for lifting the two dinghys and
can double as stabilizing mechanisms requiring no power.

The
lower deck features four staterooms, one with twin beds, one with upper
and lower berths sharing a head, the VIP with a king bed and private
head and a large second king master with private head. A galley area in
the companionway allows guests to prepare coffee or a snack without
going to the main deck. There is a large comfortable crew quarters with
microwave, refrigerator/icemaker, table and lounge and full head. Aft of
this is the "toy" storage area accessed by a large hydraulic door.
The
main deck features a spacious saloon with curved glass front cabinets
containing the audio equipment and wet bar; a hidden flat panel TV that
can be raised for excellent viewing from any seat; a well appointed
u-shaped galley with top of the line appliances; a spectacular master
stateroom foreward up three steps with a view of the stars at night and
a vista of the sea by day; master head is of natural stone using onyx
and granite for a stunning effect.
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The MARLOW VOYAGER CHALLENGE-2010
In
the earlier days of yachting, the captains and leaders of the marine
industry routinely offered friendly and entertaining challenge to their
competitors to engage in public competition, demonstrating their
capability to do what their promotional materials proclaimed. It was not
unusual for sporting men like Gar Wood, the Dodge Brothers, Richard
Bertram, Chris Craft and many others to place their products on public
display, proving or disproving the stated superiority of design and
capability. In America’s early yachting years these sporting
invitations carried excitement, prestige and even to the losers, a good
measure of respect.
Marlow
Yachts
offered a challenge to all yacht
manufacturers in the 50-100' range of yachts who claimed long-range
cruising abilities to join us on a nonstop ocean
crossing and were willing to wager that we will arrive days earlier than
anyone else. We further believe that most in the
above group cannot go at all unless they fill the deck spaces with
auxiliary bladder tanks, which are prohibited and the standard of build
is greatly enhanced for severe ocean duty.
Only
stock yachts are allowed for the challenge. With no additional
reinforcements, special preparation or fuel capacity over the published
standard.
We
believe that we can cross either
big pond with the New Marlow Voyager at up to 30-40% faster speed than
any of the above cruisers, and when we arrive have the dual flexibility
to make daylight hours passages of approximately 200 miles, well over
double that of the fastest displacement cruiser. We believe that a
scientific analysis conducted with a manometer will reveal that the
Marlow Voyager 76 has significantly higher initial and final form
stability than any of the above vessels in stock form.
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All interested participants are encouraged to write for
further information and acceptance of a simple challenge to:
David Marlow, Chairman
Marlow Yachts Limited,
Inc.
4204 13th Street Court West
Palmetto, Florida 34221
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MARLOW
CHALLENGE UPDATE-2011
The
response to our challenge was quite limited. There was an initial
flurry of interest with several manufacturers willing to participate
with a rule change that allowed stops for refueling or a shorter
course but ultimately we had no one step to the challenge. We will
standby and accept inquiries but we rest in our conviction that no
other stock yachts can match the performance and comfort of a Marlow
Yacht.
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