Marlow Norsemen- From the Factory-news and photos of the Marlow Explorer Yachts factory in Xiamen, China

The success story of the Marlow Explorer line continues at a breathtaking pace. The acceptance of these World Class Quality yachts is something of an industry phenomenon. Our order books remain full and our factory in Xiamen, China, is running full tilt to supply these products sold since the introduction at the Miami International Boat Show in February of 2001.

You can now find the Marlow Explorer Yachts around the world with recent sales to United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Venezuela, Antigua and New Zealand.

Our “green” factory is many years ahead of the industry in the treatment of wastes, potential pollution and workplace safety and health. It is a model for the industry. Marlow Explorer firmly believes that a clean environment is paramount to the well-being of our company and our workers. It is also our belief that the yachting public will seek out and patronize those companies who show responsibility to the environment rather than abusing it.

The news from Norsemen is that the new 385,000 lb. lift is up to full speed and we have completed all operating tests. In fact, its first job was to launch the largest Marlow to date, the new 97’ model. The large testing tank, which is the second and last test before sea trials is useful for final QC tests and provides us ability to have two yachts in testing at the same time. In fact, with the 53 series we can have four, as the tanks are about 120’ long each. In the first tank we subject the yachts to a torture shower and do the engine start ups, mark the boot and bottom painting lines, etc. In the second tank we will concentrate more on cosmetic issues such as final buffing and waxing, touch up of varnish and similar. The new tank provides a better environment for this as its location is blessed with full natural light from the sea only 50 meters distant. The first tank has large trees surrounding it and while a blessing in summer heat, the ever growing trees have reduced light requiring significant candlepower to visually inspect the yacht. We have constructed a large well seaward of the new test tank so that the new Travelift can launch directly to the sea or to a ship with modest beam such as the coastal freighters we occasionally charter to trans ship our yachts to ports like Hong Kong, Kaohsiung or other locations where a ship may call.
The tank is also useful for tank testing, as we have considerable ability to tow a scale model and observe while photographing or video graphing its performance in still, slow motion or real time.

Around the shipyard, our teak trees, now numbering nearly one thousand are growing very rapidly and the concept of allowing competing understory plants appears to be working to enhance the wood quality though it is too early to make final judgment. In some ways it is of no importance, as we do not intend to ever cut them, keeping them as carbon offsets for our green factory.

We are enlarging several of our apartments to increase the individual living space of team leaders as they grow with us. We continue to provide fresh fish and other seafood products several times per week and organic vegetables daily, prepared in our own spotless kitchen containing giant woks as large as the hood on a normal automobile.

The news form Marlow/Norsemen is big, in that we are nearing completion of our largest Marlow Explorer to date. We will introduce this stunning new Marlow at Ft. Lauderdale in October 2010.
We have designed this new Marlow with the environment and top performance in mind using everything we have learned over a lifetime of building, repairing and using boats.
The new 97 is of course built using our own proprietary Full Stack Infusion © which has no equal in the marine industry. This process removes the ability of human error in laminating, eliminating good days, bad days, contamination, atmospheric considerations and a host of other potential problems from the equation.

The 97 offers features not seen previously in our industry and a standard of quality rarely seen, if at all. Simply put, there is no other production builder capable of or committed to this level of building.
The 97 deviates from the recent trend towards barge like beam to length ratios in an attempt to overcome archaic fiberglass boat building methods dating from the late 1940s. It is customary for most builders to construct their offerings similar to a tract home with rafters, floor joists, studs and a whole host of space and strength robbing, useless and unnecessary framing to support an inferior hull and superstructure strength. This results in huge volumes of interior and exterior space being absorbed by that stick framing as well as a greatly reduced final strength and integrity of build.
The construction method and materials used in a Marlow eliminate a container load of useless framing wood, plywood, studs, supports, etc., transferring that space directly to usable space. Overall height can be markedly lowered, resulting in a lower center of gravity and higher performance in any sea condition.
Of late, designers have been pushed and prodded to exceed common sense boundaries of beam to length ratios, with some 65’ yachts nearly twenty feet wide, far beyond normal naval architecture standards if decent performance is a criteria. One well known builder’s offering at 65’ and just under 20’ beam is such a poor performer that with 1600 horsepower on tap, it struggles to achieve 13 knots cruise speed at the engine manufacturer’s recommended throttle setting and consumes 65 gallons of fuel per hour to achieve that not so lofty number. As a comparison an eight year old 65’ Marlow with a beam of 18’4” achieves a top speed of over 24 knots and cruises easily at 18 knots with the same power, while consuming 25% less fuel. Yet the usable interior volume of the accommodations is larger on the Marlow 65 as are the machinery spaces, storage, bilges, etc.
The new 97’ features a beam of 21’ and exceptional waterline length at around 92’, allowing displacement speed cruising with superior economy and significantly higher speeds than would be possible if we built a barge like design. In fact we believe that despite its Bureau VERITAS unrestricted navigation certificate, it will be the fastest, best performing raised pilothouse offshore yacht in the world with equal power. We believe that it will average speeds of 5-7 knots higher than wide body designs that plow water as if they were a snowplow. We believe it will travel twice as far as some well known large yachts that are marketed today, at similar speeds. A dock queen it will never be.
Featuring a grand salon and separate formal dining room with a unique on deck door opening directly to the U shaped galley, activities can be carried out less obtrusively while providing fresh air to the galley when chosen.
The huge on deck master is difficult to describe with its own direct entry from the salon or a private door to the exterior. A stunning Shanxi black granite sole is found in the master head and across its flawless finish a hand carved solid Sichuan Pure White Cowboy tub has a view of the surrounding sea while a leisurely bath is enjoyed. A very large separate shower, hand carved marble sinks, vanities and accessories grace the balance of this luxurious yacht.
Below features five beautiful guest cabins plus aft crew quarters. Three of the luxurious cabins are VIP style with one featuring twin double beds. Guests will be afforded their own private commissary with full cooking facilities for a late night snack and European laundry facilities.
The 97 will have the Marlow developed solar roof system to recharge house batteries offering seamless 8 KW inverter power for on board appliance use.
Her hydraulic transom door and swim platform allow water toys and brilliant access to crew quarters. At sea the Captain will be able to access the machinery spaces via a wonderful companionway in all weather.
There are two “Country Kitchens” on the 97 for outdoor activities; one on the expansive aft deck and one on the enormous flying bridge area complete with day head.
Private lounging areas are tastefully and thoughtfully provided about the yacht for quiet reading or just taking in the sun.
Perhaps best of all, the new Marlow Explorer 97 is simply stunning from all angles and represents our intention to build the world’s finest yachts at great value.

Please visit the website for Norsemen-Marlow Shipyard for a wonderful tour of the factory in China, the workers in action, the yachts in line and a lot of local information.