Design and Construction
A hard chine just below the waterline and a pronounced chine in the hull’s aft sections help improve stability and add volume aft. Together with the broad beam carried well aft, they also give the hull its distinctive shape in plan view.
Cruising World’s testers reported that the layup shop uses biaxial cloth engineered to carry stress in the appropriate direction, with Kevlar forward for greater impact resistance and no chopper guns in use. The hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline. In the topsides and deck, the builder replaced balsa core with Nida-Core, a lighter, stiffer honeycomb panel. Vinylester resin was also adopted to help guard against osmosis.
The boat displaces 12,000 pounds and comes with a choice of two relatively modest drafts: a 4'5" shoal keel or a 5'5" deep fin.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The 31 carries the company’s familiar B&R rig, with swept-back spreaders that eliminate the need for a backstay and a traveler mounted on a prominent stainless-steel arch over the cockpit. The sail plan is dominated by the mainsail, paired with a relatively small, easily handled headsail.
The standard rig has a large-roached main. An optional all-furling rig uses a mast more than five feet longer while limiting the loss of sail area to seven percent. Because the boom must clear the arch, the gooseneck sits high, raising the sail plan.
With a long waterline and 581 square feet of sail, the 31 should deliver a good turn of speed when reaching in a decent breeze. It won’t be as quick as a more performance-oriented alternative, however, and its speed inevitably suffers in lighter air and when sailing to windward.
Cockpit and Deck
The expansive cockpit stretches from beam to beam and does without traditional coamings. Its side seats extend to the edges of the hull, while folding footrests give the crew something to brace against when the boat heels. Two corner seats in the pushpit add more lounging space.
An optional pivoting Lewmar wheel pedestal, operated by a foot pedal, swings from side to side. The wheel’s spokes fold inward to improve access to the transom, and a folding table is standard.
Deep rope bins built into the aft end of the cabin roof help keep lines out of the cockpit. The traveler arch also carries speakers, LED lights, and a bimini. A double-ended mainsheet leads one end to the cabin top. A step in the coachroof provides access forward, while a transom hatch opens into a dedicated locker sized for surfboards or kayaks.
Accommodations
Three wide, secure steps lead below to a saloon with 6'1" of headroom. To starboard, the linear galley includes a gimballed two-burner gas stovetop and oven, a sink, a microwave, and two top-opening integrated coolers that can be fitted as a refrigerator and freezer.
A short settee sits forward of the galley. Opposite, a larger L-shaped settee converts into a double berth.
Both cabins are a decent size. The forward cabin has excellent headroom, though its V-berth is slightly smaller. Aft, an athwartships bed beneath the cockpit is huge but more enclosed. The head, located aft on the port side, includes a separate shower stall.
Engine and Tankage
The standard engine is a 21 HP Yanmar diesel, with a 29 HP unit available as an option. Fuel capacity is 21 gallons, while the water tanks hold 50 gallons.
Verdict
The Marlow-Hunter 31 is a thoughtfully modern coastal cruiser that trades outright pace for generous living space and easy sail handling. Its B&R rig, small headsail, and voluminous hull make it a sensible choice for couples who put straightforward sail control and accommodation ahead of racing performance.
Pros
- Unusually generous interior volume for a 32-foot hull, with 6'1" headroom
- Backstay-free B&R rig with a small, easily handled headsail
- Choice of a 4'5" shoal keel or 5'5" deep fin for different cruising grounds
- Modern composite layup with Kevlar forward and vinylester resin to help guard against osmosis
Cons
- Slower in light air and to windward than more performance-oriented designs
- Large but enclosed aft cabin; slightly small forward V-berth
- Optional furling rig sacrifices some sail area and the character of a traditional mainsail
