The Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 vs Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 measures 33,6 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 16,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 at 17,0 feet (1999). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 tips the scales at 10 269 lbs — 9 788 lbs less than the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 at 481 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 tops out at 29 hp. Engine specs for the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 displaces 10 269 lbs — a 9 788-lb difference over the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 at 481 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 4,6 ft and 5,6 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 is rigged as a fractional_rig_sloop while the Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. Helm style differs too: the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 uses a 1 tiller versus a 1 wheel on the Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 has a documented auxiliary engine of 29 hp.
The Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 is trailerable, giving it a significant lifestyle advantage for sailors who want to move between lakes, rivers, and coastal waters without committing to a marina slip.
Bottom line: The Marlow Hunter Hunter 33 - 2004 Deep draft Deep draft 2004 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 10 269 lbs displacement and 34 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 at 481 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.