Marex 390 Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Marex 390 is just under 12m at 39.4ft, and the clever thinking starts right at the stern. The aft deck now carries a fixed table, which turns the space into a place to sit rather than just pass through. It works as a quiet anchorage perch or a social spot with drinks looking out over the water. Storage immediately sets the tone. Deep lockers to port and starboard will swallow fenders with room to spare, eight if you really want to push it. Rope bins sit neatly beneath the side decks, with another large locker under the aft seating. The deck shower lives discreetly to one side with its control tucked away below.

Marex’s trademark canopy system wraps the entire aft area. It lives hidden inside a dedicated locker and slides out on a track like a curtain, circling the cockpit in around a minute once you know the routine. A drawstring secures it around the base, clipping off neatly at deck level.

Access into the cockpit is through a transom door that can be clipped open or shut. More storage sits beneath the sole here, including manual backup bilge pumps alongside the electric system. A cockpit table unfolds for dining, while overhead the large sliding roof panel opens with a simple twist and glide. Combine that with the stowed canopies and the entire back of the boat opens up in classic Marex style.

Side decks are wide and easy to move along, finished in teak on this boat as an option. Breaks in the rail align with cleats for easy line handling. Up top, optional solar panels sit flush into the roof alongside a searchlight, horn, and raked antenna. Low level courtesy lighting runs along the deck edges at night.

Forward, the floating sunpad uses closed cell foam and can be lifted straight into the water for kids to play on. The foredeck hatch opens by pushing the pad aside via Velcro. At the bow, a Scandinavian style bow ladder folds out from a locker, useful in certain cruising grounds. The anchor sits on a hinged cradle that swings forward on deployment, keeping it tight to the hull and avoiding unnecessary marina length charges.

Tender handling gear can be specified at the stern, with a boarding ladder hidden beneath the side deck. Stern cleats are set low and close to hand.

Sliding double doors open fully into the corner, and an electric drop down window connects the saloon with the cockpit. With the aft roof panel slid back and the forward roof opened as well, the boat shifts from enclosed to open without drama.

The galley sits to port with an electric hob, oven mounted under the helm seat, deep drawers throughout, a fridge, and a separate freezer. Cold storage is generous for a boat of this size. The sink hides under a flush lid, keeping surfaces clear. Flooring is teak rather than carpet, practical and easy to live with.

Opposite the helm, a large dinette wraps around the table. The backrest pivots to create forward facing seating when under way, rising and sliding back into position. The mechanism is simple and feels built to last. A fold up desk area sits neatly beside the seating, useful for working aboard with a laptop.

Storage runs everywhere without fuss. Overhead lockers, under seat voids, and concealed compartments appear wherever space allows. The aesthetic stays clean and functional rather than decorative, with diffused LED lighting wrapping around ceilings and cabinetry.

Owner's Cabin

The owner cabin is forward and feels generous for a sub 12m (40ft) boat. A central double berth sits beneath a deck hatch, with hull windows to either side and an opening section for ventilation. Storage is extensive. Hanging locker, shelving, overhead lockers, and drawers under the bed allow long stays without compromise. Wood grain flows cleanly through the cabinetry, lighting wraps softly around the space, and switches sit where you expect them by the berth. 

Guest Accommodation

Aft, the guest cabin makes full use of the volume beneath the cockpit. The layout borrows space twice, with headroom created where needed while maintaining a full double berth aft. Storage is unusually deep, including large drawers, shelving tucked into every available recess, overhead lockers, and a hanging locker ready for a rail.

A large hull window with an opening section brings in light and air. The seating nook at the forward end of the cabin makes a surprisingly comfortable reading spot, giving the space more use than just sleeping. For a boat of this size, it is a very strong guest cabin.

Engine access is via a cockpit hatch with a fixed ladder down into a notably large machinery space. This boat runs Volvo Penta D4 320hp engines on outdrives, with joystick control. Optional D6 440hp engines push further forward in the bay but space allows without crowding. Shaft drive versions are planned, with this volume clearly designed to support that option.

Performance with the D4s is around 32 knots at the top end. The D6 package should reach roughly 36 knots. Comfortable cruising sits between 20 and 25 knots, with an expected fast cruise range of a couple of hundred miles for a boat of this type. Slower speeds extend that further, though this remains a planing boat at heart.

The engine room is clean and well organised. Fuel filters, battery charging inverter, fire suppression system, hot water tank, and shore power reel all sit neatly in place. Trim hydraulics and leg rams are easy to reach. Everything feels accessible without gymnastics.

If you are looking for a new Marex 390 for sale, Marex follows a familiar Northern European pattern for warranty and servicing. New boats are sold through authorised dealers who handle delivery, commissioning, and after sales support. In the UK that role sits with Wessex Marine. Warranty cover applies to build and structural defects, with exact terms set out at purchase rather than buried in marketing material, so buyers need the written wording up front. Engines and drives fall under Volvo Penta’s own warranty and service schedule, backed by a wide dealer network. Routine maintenance stays straightforward. Engine access is good, systems are clearly laid out, and most jobs follow standard seasonal rhythms rather than specialist work. That matters once the novelty wears off and the boat settles into regular use.

Berthing needs a little thought. At 11.99 metres length overall, the Marex 390 sits right on the 12 metre line that many marinas use for pricing and berth allocation, which can work in the owner’s favour if the marina measures strictly by LOA. Beam is a shade over 3.6 metres, so berth width needs checking, and air draft at around 4.9 metres may rule out some covered racks or low bridges. Handling helps here. The side helm door, joystick control, and clear deck layout make close quarters work less tense, especially for owner drivers. In short, it fits neatly into the upper end of the 10 to 12 metre bracket, but it pays to confirm the small print before committing to a home berth.

Two rivals worth considering in this size are the Greenline 40 and the Aquador 400HT. 

The Marex 390 leans hard into adaptability and everyday usability. It opens wide when the weather plays along and closes down tightly when it does not. Storage dominates the design without ever feeling forced. Deck flow works. Interior spaces feel honest and well judged. Performance is sensible rather than showy. As a family cruiser that invites owners to use it often, handle it themselves, and stay aboard for extended trips, the thinking is clear from bow to stern.