The Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 vs Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 22 2011 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 Marlow Hunter 22 2011 measures 21,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 4,4 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 Marlow Hunter 22 2011 tips the scales at 3 250 lbs — 2 769 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 Marlow Hunter 22 2011 tops out at 10 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 Marlow Hunter 22 2011 is rated for 6 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 Marlow Hunter 22 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 22 2011 displaces 3 250 lbs — a 2 769-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 3,6 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 Marlow Hunter 22 2011 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. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 22 2011 has a documented auxiliary engine of 10 hp.
Both the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 and Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 22 2011 are listed as trailerable, which opens up the freedom to explore different sailing grounds without paying for a permanent berth.
Bottom line: The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 22 2011 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 3 250 lbs displacement and 21 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.