The Marquis 600 is truly an all-American boat. The design team of Nuvolari-Lenard of Venice, Italy has combined European design and American craftsmanship to produce a stable, quiet, sturdy and beautiful yacht. From its inception, the design team at Marquis had a powerful objective: “build the finest premium-quality production yachts in the world.” Ask any Marquis owner and they will tell you the goal was definitely achieved.
Nuvolari-Lenard is famous for designing and building yachts over 100 feet, and the team incorporated big yacht features and construction techniques in this magnificent yacht. It has been certified CE “A” by the International Marine Certification Institute.
To ensure the highest quality control and consistent perfection, more than 90 percent of the yacht is built and assembled in Pulaski, Wisconsin. The design team works closely with the buyer in every way.
The engineering staff at Marquis has developed a unique multidimensional fiberglass lamination system to perfect complex curves and style lines. This system empowers the design team to make the yacht truly beautiful, inside and out.
The crew’s quarters sleeps two and has all the amenities a crew needs such as a refrigerator, stainless steel sink, head and flat-screen TV and stereo. Throughout the yacht you will find finishing touches that are not on other yachts.
You can enter the engine room through a solid, sound-dampening door from the crew’s quarters. The machinery space wraps around the crew’s quarters and is accessible from two wing doors. The yacht we tested has a 22 kw Kohler generator, which provides plenty of power for all the ship’s electrical needs. The IQ 2600 inverter will also furnish plenty of power if you don’t want to run the genset.
The Marquis Avalon edition offers several different powertrain options. The yacht tested has two MTU Series 60 DDEC (825 hp) engines. These bulletproof engines can easily move the 32-ton yacht through just about any kind of seaway. The engines are mounted with a linear span, longitudinal rail system with triple-gusseted stainless steel plates bolted through reinforced, high-density foam-cored stringer members. This method reduces vibration and noise. The fiveblade, certifiable alloy NiBrAl, 34-inch props move it right along with ease.
Most often it’s the attention to detail that makes the difference. The hoses on the Marquis are all double clamped, labeled and easily accessible. All of the switches, gauges, plumbing and wiring are labeled. The house and starting batteries are strategically placed to ensure easy maintenance and yacht trim. All pumps, machinery and panels are rubber mounted for noise and vibration reduction.
The battery selector switches, two battery chargers (60 amp and 80 amp) and circuit breakers are up high to keep them dry in case of a water breach and for easy operation. There is a control panel that houses keyed start/stop switches and engine gauges for safety and maintenance. If possible, it’s best to start the main engines from below so if there is a problem you can shut down and make any necessary repairs.
The Reverso Oil Change system has easy access so you can change your oil at the dock or under way. The high-volume sea strainers for the main engines and generator are inboard for instant inspection and cleaning. All other sea strainers are easy to reach and labeled for easy identification.
Fuel filters, a Fire Boy system and all operational equipment are located in easy-to-get-to locations. What a dream for repair and maintenance. The Marquis Docking system operates and monitors the bow and stern thrusters, which are powered by 10.7 hp motors. The 9.8-inch ports provide 374 pounds of thrust. This powerful system can be controlled on the bridge, the wheelhouse or with a wireless docking remote control.
The two 400-gallon (1,514 liters) fuel tanks are constructed from 5052 aluminum. They are painted white (as is most of the engine room) welded, and baffled for stability. The 72,000 BTU, four-zone air conditioner with reverse cycle heat and heater strips, a power steering pump and all other machinery are easy to access.
The spacious swim platform offers a hot/cold shower system. The platform is hydraulically operated to lower into the water for easy boarding and for launching small craft.
The cockpit has LED lighting that gives a beautiful hue. There are bollard- style chrome cleats for mooring. A large built-in settee with a table are positioned so your guests can be seated comfortably and still be part of the group in the cockpit and salon. Storage is abundant throughout the cockpit.
Immediately upon entering the main salon you get a feeling of comfort, luxury and pride of craftsmanship. There is a wrap-around settee with a recliner, which can be converted into a sleeper. Two comfortable upholstered chairs complete the seating arrangement. A Sony stereo system with Bose speakers will entertain you and your guests for hours. A drop-down flatscreen color TV can be lowered to enjoy satellite reception or DVDs.
The AC control panel is located on the port side behind beautifully finished matching wood. The DC system control panel is located to starboard; also behind lacquered wood.
Step up to the galley and onto a beautiful tiled sole. The solid granite countertops with an inlaid stainless steel sink and faucet will immediately grab your attention. Just over the sink is a built-in Cuisinart coffee maker. Adjacent to the sink is the Euro Kera Princess Gourmet two burner electric stovetop. Just under the countertop is the Tappan convection grill/oven.
Under the settee and still within easy access to the galley, is the Fisher Paykel dishwasher; a brilliant location and it’s very user friendly. An Avanti Wine Chiller is within arm’s reach from the main portion of the galley. Next to the wine chiller are two over/under Vitrifrigo refrigerators and freezers. The doors are lacquered and blend with the surrounding finish.
Located just above the refrigerators is a wineglass cabinet. An LED light illuminates this area; just below and forward is a stainless steel sink with hot/cold water. Some of the windows open for natural ventilation. The galley is slightly elevated above and opens to the main salon, which allows the host to work in the galley and still entertain their guests.
Forward of the galley is the dining area. The settee seats six comfortably with a movable table for easy entry and exit. There is ample storage under the upholstered cushions. Inboard and centerline is the optional lower steering station, where there is room for navigational electronics and system gauges. There is also plenty of visibility while operating from the lower station.
You can proceed down a spiral staircase into a companionway leading to the master stateroom. As you enter through the pocket door you’ll see the full-beam stateroom. Under the king-size bed with custom fitted sheets is the freshwater tank (120 gallons) and ample storage.
This roomy and very comfortable stateroom has a Clarion stereo/DVD with Bose speakers, and a drop-down television. The ports also open for ventilation. The fit and finish here and throughout the boat is fantastic. The joinery and lacquer finish on the wood is excellent.
The ensuite head offers a bathtub/ shower, SeaLand VacuFlush toilet, granite countertops with a built-in sink and plenty of storage for toiletries and linens. The marble tile completes the area.
Moving forward in the companionway there is a Malber over/under washer/dryer, and plenty of storage to port and starboard. The combination of wood and chrome in this area, and throughout the rest of the boat, is pleasant and attractive.
In the VIP stateroom there is a Clarion stereo/DVD and drop-down flat-screen TV, including plenty of storage for your guests. The whisper- quiet air-conditioner pump is under the bed along with more storage. There is a Jack and Jill door to the shared head with the third stateroom.
The third stateroom offers a Pullman berth configuration. The top bunk of the Pullman berth lowers and makes a comfortable settee.
The 360-degree-view flybridge is appointed with a Clarion stereo and six built-in speakers. The boat we tested is new so there was no navigational equipment such as chartplotters or radar, so the buyer can choose.
The wrap-around Trend Engineered stainless steel-framed windshield is solid and well made. There are two captain’s chairs (made in-house), and one double seat just aft.
A Gaggenau Dual Control Barbecue and Nova Cool refrigerator/freezer are adjacent to the U-Line ice-maker, and there is a molded-in sink with hot/cold water. A settee that seats six comfortably with a table has storage underneath and easy access.
The operator’s station has two comfortable captain’s chairs (also made in-house). The Volvo QL thruster control and Sea Key system (like a vehicle Lo-Jack) are within arm’s reach. There is also plenty of space for the new owner to install a chartplotter, radar screen, autopilot and any other electronics they may want.
The hardtop is solid and sturdy and has built-in LED lights. There are no large support beams to obscure visibility, yet the top is rock solid with no vibration or movement while under way. Just aft is a roomy platform for up to a 12-foot dinghy with a hydraulic davit.
The day I tested the Marquis it was windy, with somewhat choppy seas. We went downwind and beam-to-sea. At all times the yacht handled with positive response and easy steering. When we went upwind into the swell we never pounded or yawed at any speed. This solid boat felt like it was on a rail and rode very comfortably. I went below to gauge the noise level and found it very quiet in the main salon, galley, master stateroom and VIP stateroom thanks to the Soundown noise insulation in various parts of the hull.
The Marquis 600 is a “must see” if you’re in the market for a medium-range, European-designed, American-built luxury yacht. It is the high-quality construction, exquisite design and the details that make it a standout.
This article first appeared in the October 2009 issue of SEA Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
