Marex 360 Cabriolet Cruiser – New Boat from the Old World
If you are an American boater and are not familiar with Marex you are not alone. I recently got wind of this European builder that is making a strong push into the US market and was excited to get on board their 360 Cabriolet Cruiser at the Newport International Boat Show in Rhode Island.
Marex is not a new company. In fact, they were founded over 50 years ago in 1973 in Norway and have been specializing in quality family-oriented boats ever since. In 1999 along with some new partners, they began transferring production to Lithuania. They now have a team of 420 dedicated craftsmen that build their boats primarily at a 300,000 ft²+ production facility in in Kaunas, Lithuania. They have an extensive dealer network in Europe and some Asian and Middle East countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Marex officially entered the United States market in 2024, partnering with several key dealers that include Sandy Hook Yacht Sales (New Jersey) and later adding McMichael Yacht Brokers (New York) with more to come. The point of all this is that Marex is an established boatbuilder and has entered the US market in a serious way. They had an impressive array of four boats that I was able to get aboard at the Newport show. To start out I will focus on the Marex 360 Cabriolet Cruiser but hope to dig into some of their other models down the road and also to drive the boats in order to conduct a more extensive boat test.
At first glance the Marex 360 Cabriolet Cruiser looks like a stylish sedan, but a closer look reveals some innovative features that help her stand out from the pack. First is the swim platform which contains both a concealed davit for holding a tender and a large dunnage box with separate compartments for fenders, dock lines, and more. Entering through the transom door a stylish timber covered rail encircles the aft lounge area which has plush seating on both sides and a centerline flip top table with multiple drink holders that run down the center. The seat material is Alcantra; a synthetic microfiber found in high end sports cars. It has a supple suede-like texture yet is both durable and moisture-resistant. This large comfortable lounge area was open to the air when I boarded at the boat show but in keeping with the Cabriolet concept there is a folding cloth top sunroof that can cover this entire back area.
Another sunroof like this runs from the galley to the windshield so both spots can be completely opened or sealed for protection from the sun or weather. The opening roofs are on tracks and have a solid section that creates both a handle when opening and closing them but that also conceals the folded top when opened. They are easily opened and closed manually, which frankly I think is better than electrifying them. One less system to worry about. Marex calls them “never fail sunroofs” because of the reliability the mechanical and engineering design allows and guarantees they will be watertight and leak free.
Smart Cockpit Canopy
The cabriolet convertible tops are great, but we are not done yet. In addition to the overhead cover there is a retractable “smart cockpit canopy.” Latches on the angled supports that hold up the hardtop with its integrated convertible sunroofs open. Inside there is retractable canvass with built-in clears on each side. You open the door and then simply slide the canvas on each side aft on a track and then zip them together to fully enclose the aft lounge. I have seen a lot of boats and reviewed hundreds of them over the years, and I don’t impress easily but this system is really special. No searching for stowed canvas or fiddling around trying to fit together panels while a squall rips through the anchorage soaking you in the process. The entire roof and cockpit enclosure can be deployed by one person in a matter of minutes, probably less. What is even better is that after the brief downpour passes you can easily open the boat back up just as quickly. The canvas is securely held in a track above and can be snapped down and left in place when running with the AC or heat on when needed. This is a really nice innovation that ads versatility and comfort to this model. When stowed the enclosure is completely hidden in the stylish pillars. You wouldn’t even know it is there.
The Galley
Stepping forward the galley area is under the center section of the hardtop where the sunroofs deploy on either side. The flooring here is wood that closely resembles teak and holly, but it is actually ash. Instead of expensive and not very sustainable teak on the “inside” covered sections the builder uses ash that is thermally treated in a process that seals the wood. Not only does this treatment improve the wood’s durability and water resistance but it allows the builder to control the color. The ash floor has a warm golden hue which looks remarkably like teak.
The level of finish on the boats throughout is a step above other European productions boats. Cabinetry on the boats is finely finished even on the inside of drawers and the hardware used is robust. Galley features include a deep double sink, electric stove top, combo microwave/convection oven, refrigerator/freezer drawers, and storage all in finely finished cabinetry. There is plenty of room for meal preparation and serving on the quartz counter tops which were a stylish marbled grey/black on the boat I was on. Another unique feature is a countertop panel that folds up and clicks securely into place where the passage forward to the helm and cabins normally is. If you pile too much stuff on this section, you might have to duck under if you wanted to move forward when it is deployed, but having this extra section of useable counter/prep space particularly when entertaining is really nice.
The Helm
Adjacent to the galley, the helm has a single bolstered bucket seat to starboard with a pod-like configuration that provides easy reach of the controls including an optional joystick and the large MFD screen. There are a variety of engine options available featuring both single and twin engines with sterndrives or V-drives. The boat at the show was equipped with Twin Volvo Penta 320 HP Diesels with sterndrives.
I wasn’t able to drive the boat as it was pinned in at the boat show, but according to the manufacturer the Marex 360 can cruise at over 30 knots with this engine configuration and still maintain a 271 nautical mile range. Visibility was excellent from the helm with a large windshield pane and thin mullions. There is an opening side window and a footrest below. Opposite the helm is an upholstered double forward facing companion seat. This seating area will be nice underway but is also a convenient spot to lounge beneath the forward sunroof while on the hook or dockside. In front of this seating area there are steps built into the cabin bulkhead. The windshield here folds back providing open air when desired and easy access to the foredeck sunpad and ground tackle. This bow access is another creative feature on the Marex 360 Cabriolet Cruiser. I have only really seen this type of opening on boats that have forward seating areas. With limited side decks this provides a safe easy way to access the bow.
Cabins
Belowdecks there are two substantial cabins, and it might be a toss-up as to which one is the master. The forward cabin hosts a centerline queen bed, hanging locker and an overhead hatch. The amidships cabin has its own sitting area at the entrance with a hanging locker and while the ceiling isn’t as high, it has a larger athwartships bed and is well lit by the hull windows. Both cabins have privacy and easy access to the head which hosts a separate shower compartment with a bench. Owners will have to decide which cabin suits them best but the set up is perfect for either two couples or families.
Marex Construction
Marex has been building boats for many years, but they use modern construction techniques. The hulls are resin infused with composite cores and triaxial fibers glassed in to add strength and insulation. Eglass and coring are precisely cut into kits both manually and using a computerized router. A 60/40 glass to resin ratio is achieved through the precision of the infusion process which means a strong boat that is also lightweight for added fuel efficiency. Premium gelcoat produces a fine finish and eliminates print through.
Quartz countertops that are used in the galley are also featured below decks in the head as are the carefully crafted cabinets. The doors to the cabins have recessed hinges and wood framing that surrounds fogged panels in the middle. These allow light into the cabins but still retain privacy. Designed for serious boaters, Marex models like the 360 Cabriolet Cruiser showcase a combination of thoughtful and innovative touches with robust contemporary construction techniques.
If like me, you don’t know much about Marex, I recommend you look into this brand. The Marex 360 Cabriolet Cruiser is a stylish mid-range sedan that seems equally suited whether entertaining, day running, or weekending. The double opening top and smart cockpit canopy let the boat convert back and forth from open to protected quickly and easily. The numerous unique features speak to a boatbuilder that looks at things from a user’s perspective and is willing to innovate to improve their owner’s experience. Familiarizing myself aboard Marex boats at the Newport International Boat Show whetted my appetite to find out more and I hope to drive one or more of their models soon.
Marex 360 Cabriolet Cruiser Specifications
- Length (short version): 36’ (10.99 M)
- Length (long version): 37’ 8’’ (11.49 M)
- Beam: 11’ 5’’ (3.49 M)
- Draft (single): 3’ 2’’ (0.97 M)
- Draft (twin): 3’ 6’’ (1.10 M)
- Weight (empty): 16,976 lbs (7.7 metric tons)
- Fuel capacity: 198 US gal (750l)
- Water Capacity: 92 US gal (350l)
- Blackwater Capacity: 52 US gal (190l)
- CE Category: B
Price $846,821 with 2x Volvo Penta D4-320 DPI (2×320 HP) sterndrives
Manufacturers Performance Claim*
- Max speed * 36 knots
- Cruising speed * 24 knots
Power Options:
VOLVO PENTA
Sterndrive
- 1 x D6-440 DPI (440 HP)
- 2x D4-300 DPI (2×300 HP)
- 2x D4-320 DPI (2×320 HP)
Reverse “V” Shaft
- 1 x D6-480 (480 HP)
- 2x D4-320 (2×320 HP)
MERCURY
Sterndrive
- Diesel 2x 3,0L 270 SD Bravo3 (2×270 HP) + Joystick Axius premium
