The Malo 41 has many of the same features that impressed us on the other Swedish boats we sailed—strong no-nonsense construction combined with lush mahogany interior joinery work—as well as a few unique twists of its own. For example, the distinctive traveler arch over the cockpit, long a Malo trademark (they call it their TARGA system), works very well, and its height can be specified by the owner when ordering construction. Also, the versatile dinette table expands and contracts; the corners fold in to create a compact sea table with fiddles or lie flat to double the surface space, creating an enormous dining table for entertaining in port.
Testing the boat on Chesapeake Bay, we found enough wind to get a good sense of its performance and exulted in its light steering, sweet motion, and kindly manners. Though the cockpit is a bit small for entertaining, it is extremely comfortable and deep enough to offer good security in a seaway. Down below we found plenty of stowage space, especially in the staterooms, and the galley was pronounced commodious and beyond reproach. The systems are above average, and the DC electrical system earned a rating of “first class” (except for some untinned wire). Another unusual feature that generated discussion was the trademark through-the-stem anchor roller, which some judges thought would ship more water in a seaway than could be handled by the slightly undersized anchor-locker drains. Those inclined to share this concern will be relieved to learn that a conventional on-deck anchor roller can be specified instead.
Specifications
Price: $350,000 (FOB Annapolis, Maryland) includes full-batten mainsail and roller-furling triradial genoa, aluminum two-spreader Selden mast, Andersen winches, powered windlass, mooring lines, and ground tackle.
U.S. agent: Discovery Yachts, Seattle, WA; tel. 206-301-9104, www.discoveryachts.com
Construction: Hand-laid glass hull with balsa core to just below the waterline. Balsa-cored deck with solid laminate at all hardware-attachments points.
LOA 42’9″
LWL 35’5″
Beam 13′
Draft 6’6″
Ballast 9,260 lbs
Displacement 24,250 lbs
Sail area (100% foretriangle) 830 sq ft
Power 75-hp Yanmar
Fuel/water/waste 99/145/45 gal
Displ.-length ratio 242
Sail area-displ. ratio 15.85
