Checking to see if anyone has pictures or information on a Marlow 97(+-). I know they have an 86 out, but wanted to know if they are using a new mold or the same 78 mold and adding to it.....The 86 is sporting a beam of 20'-4" which is the same as the 72, 78, 82. Also, while I'm at it, what are some humble opinions of the OA 105?
I see that both of the first 2 (the only 2?) 97e's are up for sale: Kakawi and Irish Rover Given these are less than 2 years old at most, isn't that surprisingly early? Has anyone heard of any problems with the 97e??
Has anyone actually seen David Marlow or his partner recently? Is he still alive? Is he still in business? Have they left Florida for cooler climes?
I spoke to one of the sales guys last week. He didn't mention anything out of the ordinary. And no, he was not asking me for a job!
Had a few drinks with him at a mutual friends house a bit before the show. Have not run into him since. He tends to be a moving target what with his moving around a lot between his interests in Sarasota/Bradenton, Miami, China, New England, etc.
Is that the one that sold at the Miami show? Or is it just a generic ad for the next boat on the assembly line? This was recently discovered during a Google surf: Kakawi Yachting, Inc. v. Marlow Marine Sales, Inc. et al :: Justia Dockets & Filings
Do you have a link to or can you summarize the details? That site seems to require subscription for those.
I am in no way involved in the case and had actually shopped Marlows in the past. I do have access to PACER and read what was filed. The legal action is over 60 pages long, not including the exhibits and I am not sure how much detail to really go into. Basically they are claiming all kinds of warranty issues not corrected, did not meet classification, delivered with 3000 gal less of fuel than was agreed to and some other finer points regarding how the sale was to be structured and warranty handled. This is just their side of the story and it is odd that they continued to make progress payments and accepted the yacht in the condition they claim it was in at closing. I would have just held the money back and began legal actions. There are two sides to every story, so it will be interesting to hear Marlow's side. We have all had customers that in the end we wish we had never dealt with because nothing would make them happy and they only ever told part of the story. The yacht is for sale and in the listing is says "all warranty work now complete".
No customer deserves to endure what that guy has. I will personaly attest that this is the polar opposite of a "bad customer" case. I hope and pray that this is not settled out of court so that the photos can be seen by everyone and the full story - both sides - can be told. It is a story that needs to be told because buyers have a right to know.
From reading the documents I would agree with you, just leaving myself some room having just read one side's filing. I still can't understand why they kept making payments other then they felt if they didn't they would never get the yacht or their money back. Sounds like you have more firsthand knowledge Marmot and the lengthy list of "issues" is all true.
All I have to say is that if 10% of what is alleged in the Kakawi case is true, then I'd be very reluctant to purchase a 97E. Frankly, I love the Marlow boats but that case gives me considerable pause. The fact all the 97E's are so quickly being resold adds to the concern. I do find one other matter interesting. The Kakawi has been on the market at or even above the initial amount paid for it. Now, of course, it hasn't sold so the asking price means little. But the amount paid for the yacht was surprisingly low. That also adds a point of curiosity as it's so much lower than other yachts in that size range. Really sounds like they bit off more than they were prepared for with the 97E. Meanwhile, after reading all the details, Marlow is out of consideration for me personally. In fact, in that size, I'm debating between Westport, Hargrave, and an Ocean Alexander, but only one built by Christensen.