Click for Burger Click for Mulder Click for Walker Click for Abeking Click for Ocean Alexander

Marlow 97

Discussion in 'Marlow Yacht' started by Swamp fox, Jun 5, 2010.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Swamp fox

    Swamp fox Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2010
    Messages:
    85
    Location:
    NC
    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?
  2. tirk

    tirk Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    london
    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??
  3. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    20,353
    Location:
    South Florida
    YF member 'Marmot' might be able to provide insight. Please use the PM system.
  4. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    3,311
    Location:
    9114 S. Central Ave
    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?
  5. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2011
    Messages:
    1,332
    Location:
    I dunno
  6. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    3,311
    Location:
    9114 S. Central Ave
    Yeah, but since then?
  7. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    Messages:
    164
    Location:
    CT
    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!
  8. tirk

    tirk Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    london
    Sales guys are somewhat motivated to pass on a positive picture though, aren't they?
  9. tirk

    tirk Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    london
    Hmm. Now a third 97e is up for sale (out of three built I believe). Curiouser and curiouser!
  10. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,458
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    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. :)
  11. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    3,311
    Location:
    9114 S. Central Ave
  12. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,458
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    Do you have a link to or can you summarize the details? That site seems to require subscription for those.
  13. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    3,311
    Location:
    9114 S. Central Ave
    No, sorry. You can get a PACER subscription and read the documents online.
  14. revluc

    revluc Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    Messages:
    59
    Location:
    Gulf Coast
    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".
  15. tirk

    tirk Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    london
    Thanks revluc - very interesting to read your summary!

    Oh, so true, so true!
  16. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    3,311
    Location:
    9114 S. Central Ave
    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.
  17. revluc

    revluc Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    Messages:
    59
    Location:
    Gulf Coast
    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.
  18. tirk

    tirk Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    london
    Looks like he was in Key Largo three weeks ago.
  19. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    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.