The Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 vs Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 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 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 measures 49,1 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 32,1 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 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 tips the scales at 32 814 lbs — 32 333 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 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 tops out at 110 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 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 is rated for 14 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 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 displaces 32 814 lbs — a 32 333-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 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Marlow Hunter Hunter 170 1999 uses a 1 tiller versus a 2 wheels on the Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 has a documented auxiliary engine of 110 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 Marlow Hunter 50 Furling mainsail Furling mainsail 2011 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 32 814 lbs displacement and 49 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.