Marlow Explorer 62E Yacht Review

Marlow Explorer 62E Yacht ReviewThe Marlow Explorer 61E, first introduced in 2004 offered a lengthily run, is now being replaced by the Marlow Explorer 62E. There are two significant changes to the vessel: The transom has a stylish compound curvature that was not on the previous Marlows. This allows for a more convenient center staircase leading down to the swim platform. A larger lazarette/rudder room, the addition of 2 L-shaped settees on the aft deck( which offers each with its own table) makes this vessel a significant upgrade. Another significant change is the lamination, using a second iteration of the builder’s vacuum infusion process. Chairman, David Marlow, believes this is a very important change.

Marlow Explorer 62E Yacht Review

LOA: 70’2″
BEAM: 19’4″
DRAFT: 4’10”
DISPL.: 75,000 lb.
FUEL: 2,280 gal.
WATER: 500 gal.
STANDARD POWER: 2/715-hp Caterpillar C12 ACERT diesel inboards
TEST POWER: 2/1,015-hp Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesels
OPTIONAL POWER: 2/1,135-hp Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesels; MAN and MTU diesels available on request
TRANSMISSIONS: ZF500A with 2.57:1 gear ratio
PROPELLERS: 39×44 5-blade Nibral
GENERATOR: 20-kW Cummins Onan
BASE PRICE: $1,850,000
PRICE AS TESTED: $2,350,000

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250012.48.922674
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Construction

Builders and yachtsmen, alike, understand the mechanics and advantages of resin infusion. This process places a laminate into an enclosed container, ushers in a vacuum, then injects the resin by drawing it through the laminate via the vacuum.

Compared to conventional applications, resin infusion offers a much more consistent saturation of the lamination while using a great deal less resin. This adds to the vessel’s strength while reducing her weight.

All Marlow yachts have been resin-infused ever since the first hull in 2000. That said, David Marlow has never sat back and been happy with the status quo. At some point he realized that resin infusions limited the amount of vacuum being applied to the laminate. The higher the vacuum the more effective the distribution of resin and the more consistent the strength of the laminate.

The amount of vacuum that can be applied is limited by the centipoise of the resin. (a centimeter-gram-second unit of viscosity, equal to 1/100 (0.01) cP, cp). This is the force required to move a layer of liquid to another liquid.

Working with his supplier, Marlow has been able to retain a resin of significantly lower centipoise, allowing an application of higher vacuum to laminates of approximately 4,000 lbs per sq. ft. Combining this with his totally automated infusion process, allows him to infuse a 78 ft. hull in less than one hour, using just three 55gallon barrels of resin. That’s roughly 35% of the resin required by hand lamination.

The Marlow 62E exceeds the 61E in speed by 5% and offering a fuel efficiency of 10%. The much-covered Velocijet Strut Keel drive system of the 62E, is a second generation, using oil-filled shaft tubes that eliminates vibration and the friction produced by conventional cutless bearings.

Another advanced feature is the internal thrust bearings that absorb propeller force, allowing the mains to sit level on comparatively soft engine mounts. Engine generated vibration is virtually gone which was apparent during an initial sea trial.

Accommodations

Another great benefit of resin infusion is allowing a much greater interior capacity. As the process creates a stronger laminate, the skin can carry much of the loading, admitting for smaller and fewer stringers and cross-members.

It’s generally believed that internal supports are unnecessary as many bulkheads can be nonstructural dividers. This allows for a nearly 7 foot headroom in the saloon along with an extensive engine room that could hold a basketball hoop at one end.

In Conclusion

Attention to details, using a philosophy of continuous refinement is what makes Marlow Yachts competitive in the past and will make them competitive in the future. This is engineering without compromise. Performance, longevity go hand and hand. This is what sets the greats from the rest.

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