Marlow Prowler 375 Havana

Utilizing the same quality building process, fine woods, materials and overall Marlow craftsmanship, there is no skimping on the smaller brethren. The Prowler line is built with a purpose: To follow in the footsteps of foregone rum runners. That means fast boats that can handle skinny water with the best seakeeping ability. Equating that to today, it means fast center consoles and cruising yachts that are also suitable for fishing.

Marlow went one step further with the Havana and added fine accommodations in the lower cabin that includes a galley and private head, as well as an enhanced helm station and copious amounts of room on deck for cruising or fishing. 

From a profile viewpoint, the Havana is a beefy lake- or ocean-going machine. Generous bow flare and lifting strakes keep the sea at bay while the sharp entry and modified V-hull allow for maintained speed even into a head sea. The sheerline is evident of a Downeast style, with high freeboard forward sweeping lower aft. Gold trim lines and bootstripe accentuate the flag blue hull. With a slight bow rise when getting up to speed, forward visibility remains good thanks to the high helm seats.

Make no mistake, Marlow was thinking of speed when designing this Havana, as it has triple 300-hp Yamaha outboards bolted to the transom. Yup, that’s 900 hp total!

Performing our sea trial in the relatively flat waters of the Manatee River near the Marlow facility in Palmetto, Florida, it’s easy to see that getting to the fish (or rum, as it goes) fast and back can make all the difference. Cruising at 21.5 knots (3500 RPM) yields a burn of 25 gph and a range of 255 nm (25% fuel reserve). If on the chase or being chased, the 375 Havana opens up wide to 39.7 knots (6100 RPM) and a 153 nm range. Either way, there’s a good cut of speed and range when needed.  

Command of the Havana is at the oversized helm station. There’s a lot going on here, including twin 16-inch Garmin multifunction displays also connected to a Garmin xHD2 4-foot open array radar, two ICOM VHF radios, Garmin AIS, FLIR thermal camera, battery and tank analogue gauges, Lenco trim tab controller, Yamaha engine monitor, fore- and aft-facing hardtop-mounted spotlights, bank of rocker switches and more.

 
Complementing the console are twin pedestal-mounted Stidd helm seats, drop-down footrests and, for those vertically challenged, a standing platform that rises from the deck, offering improved forward visibility.

The hinged floor panel at the console reveals the Seakeeper SK3 stabilization gyro and 5kw Northern Lights diesel generator, which also has a 40-gallon diesel tank. It’s not uncommon to find a diesel generator on a gas boat powered by outboards; it’s a safety thing.  

There’s evidence all around that Marlow has carefully yet creatively carried the virtues of the big yachts to the smaller platforms. A large, fiberglass hardtop and a three-sided fiberglass window frame are integrated into the house structure, supported by a tubular frame that is bolted to the structure in multiple spots, creating a solid enclosure. The forward windshield is a single-pane tempered glass with an overhead wiper. Frame supports run laterally across the underside of the hardtop, providing hand-holds all around. Add in Bimini curtains on the side and aft to make this an all-weather operation.

Below, Marlow doesn’t skimp either. Through a portside door is the lower cabin, and it’s more than just a place to use the head or change outfits. Forward is a large V-berth, which helps make the Havana more of a weekender than a picnic boat. Midship are two large, opposing settees, thickly padded and suitable for sitting or lounging. A drop-in teak table converts this into a dining area for four or six persons. Cabin house fixed windows allow for ambient lighting, as does the forward egress hatch. Teak wood is used throughout the interior for walls, shelves and trim. The teak and holly flooring is a nice touch. A flat-screen TV is mounted to the wall, while AC keeps the environment climate-controlled. You won’t feel claustrophobic in here as there’s excellent standing room, just over 6 feet in clearance.

Meal prep is easy thanks to the galley station. A two-burner Kenyon cooktop with potholders is next to a deep stainless sink. Above is a Sharp convection microwave oven and below is a U-Line undercounter fridge/freezer unit. A Bluewater Desalinator can produce up to 450 gallons of freshwater daily.

Next to the galley is a full-height breaker control panel behind a glass door. Here, you’ll find all the switches, gauges and monitors needed to operate the 375 Havana. It’s a plethora of controls, but I would expect nothing less from Marlow.

Aft is the private head, with Dometic toilet, Grohe shower and sink faucets, and vanity with granite counter. There’s a curtain and recessed drain underneath teak grating for showering.

With a boat like the 375 Havana, the fun will be outdoors. Besides a nice cut of speed, there are several relaxing spots that can be easily used for fishing space. 

First, the deck is a full walkaround, which includes a few steps when you move to the foredeck area. Getting from fore to aft is effortless. There’s a relaxing sunpad lounger in front of the helm, including side grabrails. Or sit forward on the bow pads that flank a hi-low fiberglass table. Picture yourself relaxing at anchor, reading a good book while taking in the sun.

Aft, there are options. Behind the helm seats is a fiberglass molded console, which contains an enclosed sink and undercounter storage for fenders or lines. Tucked on either side are fold-down padded seats — perfect for the crew to watch the trolling lines. Under the seats are compartments for tackle drawers and gear. There’s plenty of cockpit space to add in a few lounge chairs for cruising time.

For your fishing pleasure, there are two in-deck fishboxes with drains and handles so they can be lifted out. Rod holders and Rupp Top Gun outriggers trick out this machine.

A center hatch offers access to machinery space, which includes a watermaker unit, pumps, piping and more. A livewell in the transom was converted into a freezer for keeping food or bait chilled.

Doing double-duty is the flush-mounted transom door, allowing for easy boarding from the dock, access to the water and for fish to be landed quickly. 

On the starboard aft gunwale is an integrated fold-down boarding ladder. When deployed, swimmers can board from the built-in ladder and walk-through gunwale. Generous combing rings the cockpit. Under-gunwale storage is available on the port side.

With a lineage that goes back a long way, there is no mistaking the Prowler 375 Havana as all Marlow. Take her for a ride. Hold the rum.