Marlow Voyager 100

You’ve heard the phrase “It’s about the destination, not the journey” or its counter phrase “It’s about the journey, not the destination” as they relate to boating.

What if the destination is the journey, as in the boat itself? Huh? Let me explain.

In simplistic forms, a boat can get you from point A to point B. It can also be used to create experiences, such as a fishing platform or to facilitate fun on the water, like tubing or enjoying water toys. When the boat or yacht is sufficiently sized where just being on it is really the destination, then you are into a new echelon. Case in point: The Marlow Yachts Voyager 100 (known as the 100V). It’s not so much that you have to go somewhere, but just being onboard is the destination in itself. The journey is a bonus.

The team at Marlow Yachts has taken its expertise garnered through the years of crafting its other models and applied it here, with extra flare. Collaborating with owners to help design and style the 100V makes this a true presentation of an owner’s desires while expanding the boundaries of Marlow’s own limits.

Main event

Stepping into the carpeted salon, which the owner selected to place over the standard finished teak and holly floors, the sheer vastness of the main deck is accented by large windows and controlled lighting to set the mood. With a super-plush L-sofa to starboard and individual chairs and ottomans, the owners opted for free-standing furnishings versus built-ins to allow for furniture redesigns and swap-outs. This not only gives freedom for style changes, but also makes it more appealing to a future buyer who can refit the area without major reconstruction.

Dual-stacked coffee tables ensure ample table space for drinks or food. Forward is the formal dining area. Maintaining an open layout per the owner’s request, no bulkheads or columns separate this area (and aren’t needed thanks to Marlow’s construction techniques). The owners opted for a clear Lucite acrylic dining table with eight Lucite low-profile chairs. This choice enhances the flow of light while reducing shadows. It’s a unique, retro addition, thanks to the three intertwined rings of wood for the base. It’s all bolted to the floor keeping all secured. The light fixture above has its own take on a three-ring, interlock theme, surrounded by circular teak trim and spotlights.

Marlow doesn’t miss an opportunity to create storage spaces. The marble-topped credenza that rings the dining area is full of cabinets and drawers, holding dinner service for 24 guests. Skilled Marlow craftsmen create exceptional joinery including radius edging and router cut channels to accentuate the fit, finish and details of the hand-selected Burmese teak throughout.

Galley heaven

Any chef will be envious of the country kitchen. It is full beam and there’s no helm station to contend with, allowing for spacious countertop areas and walk-around room.

Nestled up to the forward windshield, the chef and guests get commanding views. Topped with honeycombed marble, the oversized center island contains four pull-out Sub-Zero fridge/freezer drawers that complement the additional four fridge/freezer drawers under the counters.

Within the counter space that runs across the front and sides of the galley are Dacor appliances, including a flat cooktop with pot rails and a pop-up vent, an under-counter microwave and a separate convection oven. Dual Fisher & Paykel dishwashers fill out the galley.

Aft is a split table, perfect for morning coffee, informal meals or keeping guests within proximity of the chef.

Per the owners’ request, there was still a need to separate the kitchen from the salon, mainly to let the grandkids be at the kitchen table while the adults relaxed in the salon. Marlow accepted the challenge, and with a few adjustments to the plan and bulkhead, it installed a pocket door. Modifications like this are what impressed the owner with trusting that Marlow could deliver.

Stately rooms

While heading below to the staterooms via the port staircase, note the curved teak wall, seamless joinery and rich satin finish found here and all throughout the yacht. Mitered edges, dovetail joints and teak & holly flooring highlight the high-end craftsmanship that Marlow Yachts is famous for.

From the central foyer, you can access the four staterooms, each with ensuite heads. Aft is the full-beam primary suite with a center king berth, over a dozen drawers and lockers, and his/her head with a center shower. The light Ultraleather ceiling and beige deep carpeting are a nice contrast to the rich teak.

The forward VIP suite has a central pedestal berth with steps on either side. This room is one of five watertight compartments with 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.” TVs, cedar-lined closets, heads with shower stalls and portholes adorn each room.

Below the center hallway deck is a mechanical room with access to pumps, water lines, tank fittings, plumbing and more. This keeps the machinery that supports the staterooms close to them — which is not an easy feat as weight, balance and accessibility all has to be considered. Another benefit is that this placement removes these systems from the engine room.

When asked where their favorite spot onboard is, 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 on the foredeck/Portuguese bridge split settee with a table; or go up to the lounge pads or covered table on the skybridge deck. There’s always the settee on the command bridge deck. Another favorite is in the galley — a typical congregation point.

Impressive is the 100V’s command bridge. Offering great visibility and protection, it’s fully enclosed with doors on the side and aft. Four Garmin multifunction displays make navigation and ship monitoring 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 space to lay out paper charts.

A twin-seat Stidd guest chair is to starboard of the Stidd helm chair, both in diamond stitched Ultraleather. Aft is an L-settee with a teak table — a great spot for taking in the sights. Asked what’s so special about this spot, the owner said “Visibility, visibility, visibility!”

Aft is a full captain’s quarters with desk and ensuite head with shower stall. To port is a day head, wetbar and wine cooler. All windows have electric blinds.

There’s access to the aft deck that houses a 17-foot tender, a davit and a four-person hot tub. Up one level is the open skybridge deck with a pod-style helm station, twin displays, an aft settee and table, a hardtop integrating the strategic use of lightweight carbon construction and a two-person sunpad. The decision to invest in a Marlow 100V didn’t come without its research. Not only was the owner intrigued after reviewing Marlow’s first 100-footer but was also impressed with the Marlow team and its breadth of knowledge, experience and support. And it helps that he has followed Marlow Yachts for years.

Power up

Settling into a cruising lifestyle rather than the “go-fast” world, the Marlow 100V is no slouch on the speed curve. Wide open this 220,000-pound (110-ton) 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 a cruise of 20.8 knots at 155 gph, with a range of 892 nm. Or make the long haul at 8.1 knots, burning only 10 gph with a range of 5,254 nm. This 100V is powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines delivering 1,900 hp each.

Other features include a machinery room that houses the two Kohler 65kw three-phase generators and ancillary systems, crew quarters for two with a 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, chrome-plated CuproNickel piping in place of hoses and 316L stainless ensure the longevity of parts. Honeycombed backing reduces weight while maintaining rigidity.

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 stated that there was one surprise: “It came in on budget!”

Enjoy the destination and journey on a Marlow Yachts Voyager 100.