The Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 vs Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 at 29,6 ft versus Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 at 32,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 tips the scales at 11 854 lbs — 5 148 lbs less than the Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 at 6 706 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 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 tops out at 29 hp. Engine specs for the Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 20 gal and 21 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 displaces 11 854 lbs — a 5 148-lb difference over the Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 at 6 706 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.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 draws 5,5 ft, compared to 3,1 ft for the Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993. That 2,4-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging. The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 has a documented auxiliary engine of 29 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,3 knots for the Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 and 6,7 knots for the Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 carries 50 gallons versus 40 gallons on the Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Marlow Hunter Marlow Hunter 31 Deep draft Deep draft 2015 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 11 854 lbs displacement and 32 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Marlow Hunter Hunter 29.5 1993 at 6 706 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.