malbec 18 sailboat review

MALBEC 18 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of MALBEC 18. Built by Ventura Sport Boats and designed by undefined, the boat was first built in 2017. It has a hull type of Centerboard (Trunk) and LOA is 5.49. Its sail area/displacement ratio 19.21. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

MALBEC 18 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about MALBEC 18 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, accomodations, contributions, who builds malbec 18.

MALBEC 18 is built by Ventura Sport Boats.

When was MALBEC 18 first built?

MALBEC 18 was first built in 2017.

How long is MALBEC 18?

MALBEC 18 is 4.88 m in length.

What is mast height on MALBEC 18?

MALBEC 18 has a mast height of 6.35 m.

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• Sailboat Guide

Malbec 18 is a 18 ′ 0 ″ / 5.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Heraldo Ruesch and built by Ventura Sport Boats starting in 2017.

• 2 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
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• 4 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
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• 7 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 8 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 9 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 10 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 11 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 12 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 13 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 14 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View
• 15 / 15 St. Augustine, FL, US 2018 Malbec 18 $28,500 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Formerly the RUESCH 5.5 (2006). Power: up to 9hp outboard.

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Review of Malbec 18

Basic specs..

The Malbec 18 is equipped with a centerboard keel. A centerboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters.

The boat can sail close to the beach as the draft is just 0.25 - 0.35 meter (0.82 - 1.12 ft) dependent of the load. See immersion rate below.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Malbec 18 is 2.51, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 5.4 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Malbec 18 is about 71 kg/cm, alternatively 400 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 71 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 400 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is a Ballast Ratio?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

Maintenance

When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 12m 2 (129 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Malbec 18 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

Home » Blog » Gear » Trailer sailers – the best of the boat show

Trailer sailers – the best of the boat show

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: February 2, 2019

Trailer sailers – our favorite small sailboats from the Annapolis boat show

Trailer sailers are some of the most affordable, versatile, and adventure-ready sailboats on the market . It’s no wonder they have an almost cult following. Not only can they save hundreds of dollars a month in moorage, they also allow their owners to venture beyond local waters. I once met some adventurous souls who trailed their MacGregor all the way to Mexico and camped in their boat on the side of the highway. With many trailer sailers selling new in the $20 to 30K range, it’s a great option for first-time boat buyers who don’t have the time to maintain an older boat or the budget for monthly moorage fees. At the most recent Annapolis boat show we had the opportunity to get a close-up look at some of the latest sailer-trailer options.

Fun sailing on the Malbec 18. Photo credit: Ventura Sport Boats

Nominated best boat for 2018 by SAIL Magazine, the Malbec 18 proves that good things come in small packages. This lightweight and beachable pocket cruiser can sleep a family of four and fits six around the cockpit table – just enough for a pocket-sized party. It has a semi-planing hull, swing centreboard, and adjustable backstays for performance tuning.

Malbec 18 specs

LOA 18’

LWL 16’

Beam 7’2”

Draft 10” to 3’6”

Boat Weight 1500 lbs

Ballast 450 lbs

Sail Area 157 sq.ft.

[maxbutton id=”3″ ]

Com-Pac Eclipse 20

Com-Pac Eclipse

This trailer sailer is big on styling and comfort (well as comfortable as you can be in a small boat!). Modern lines and a plum shallow entry bow give her a streamlined look (unlike many trailerable boats that can look a tad stubby). She features an easy-to-rig mast, and a centreboard that reduces to 1’6”. Living amenities include four bunks, a galley with a one-burner stove and sink, and even a compartment for a portable toilet.

Com-Pac’s fantastic one-man mast-step system

Eclipse 20 specs

LOA 20’10”

LWL 18’1”

Beam 7’4”

Draft 18” to 62”

Displacement 2200 lbs

Ballast 700 lbs

Sail Area 200 sq.ft.

[maxbutton id=”3″ url=”https://www.com-pacyachts.com/trailerable-sloops/compac-eclipse.html” text=”READ MORE ABOUT THE ECLIPSE 20″ ]

Sage 15 or SageCat

Photo credit: Sage Marine

This micro-cruiser packs a lot into 15 feet. Little sister to the Sage 17, a SAIL Magazine’s best boat award winner, the Sage 15 has a cute little cuddy-cabin with an 85” v-berth, making her ideal for anyone who loves cruiser-camping or daysailing. She has an optional cat rig, a single sail instead of a jib and a main, a great set up for new sailors. It’s no surprise that this compact little wonder was made by a folding knives designer,  Spyderco .

Sage 15 specs

LOA 15’2”

LWL 14’6”

Beam 6’5”

Draft 6” to 3’

Displacement 800 lbs

Ballast 220 lbs

Sail Area 128 sq.ft.

[maxbutton id=”3″ url=”http://www.sagemarine.com/product/sagecat/” text=”READ MORE ABOUT THE SAGE 15″ ]

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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Best Pocket Cruiser

• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 12, 2017

Winner: Bavaria Cruiser 34

Talk about three different vessels. The Best Pocket Cruiser class for 2018 was a study in diversity. It included the smallest boat in this year’s contest, the tidy Malbec 18. It was home to a blisteringly fast catamaran with accommodations for happy weekend forays, the Stiletto Xc. And it even contained a more traditional German-built cruising boat, the Bavaria Cruiser 34.

“The Malbec 18 is interesting,” said Tim Murphy. “It’s an 18-foot, light displacement (1,500 pounds) boat with sleeping accommodations inside it. It’s based on a model that was created in 1966 called the West Wight Potter, and there were about 4,000 of those built. The builder set himself a goal of bringing a boat to market that you could sleep and cook on at around the $20,000 mark. We’ve seen lots of builders in the past who have entry-level ideas, and it sounds like a great idea until it turns out their entry-level boat costs more than my house. So I think that’s a strong point. To see something priced more like a car than a home was a very good thing.”

Ed Sherman agreed. “I say hats off to the builder because I think the idea of getting a boat to market at that price point is something our industry as a whole is lacking,” he said. “They’ve created a small boat that a couple could enjoy in relatively sheltered water. In a nice, steady 10-knot breeze you could really have a blast sailing it. So, to sum up, it’s an intriguing little boat that’s priced for newbie sailors that just want to begin experimenting with sailing, maybe sleeping out on a mooring, or exploring little islands off the coast.”

Like the Malbec, the Stiletto Xc was another boat that fit the description of a “camper cruiser.” Built of high-tech materials, including Nomex, Kevlar, carbon and foam coring, it has minimalist sleeping accommodations in each hull as well as a compact head and galley. “But I think camping on the beach or under a boom tent would be the way most people used this boat,” said Bill Bolin.

“It’s a neat concept boat,” he continued. “There’s a way to fold it up and trailer it, which was one of their goals.” The current owners purchased licensing rights to the name Stiletto from a previous builder of 27-foot cats. The boat has been lengthened to 30 feet to eliminate hobby­horsing from the earlier iteration. The “c” in Xc stands for cruising; the company also has plans for an Xf model that would incorporate foils in the hulls to produce a foiling cat.

“We went out and had a nice sail with the boat,” added Bolin. “It’s kind of like sailing a big Hobie cat; it has a very similar sheeting system, an adjustable traveler that was almost full-beam width and a multipurchase mainsail sheeting system. It sailed and tacked like a cat — you needed to release the main and backwind the jib a bit to help get the bows around. We sailed in a dying breeze that started out at 10 to 12 knots and threw the chute up, and it was real fun.”

In every Boat of the Year contest, it seems, a boat rises up after sea trials to make a lasting impression on the judges. For 2018, that boat was the Bavaria Cruiser 34.

“I found this category the trickiest of them all because the boats were so different from each other,” said Murphy. “But the Bavaria was a lovely boat to sail. It has a single rudder, and she answered her helm just beautifully in the conditions we had today. We started off with around 10 knots of breeze that built to 13 to 15 knots. As a sailboat, it was just a pleasurable sailing experience, among the best we had during our judging. It was among the boats that felt like a really happy sailing experience.

“It’s the one with real accommodations,” he added. “You really can cook a meal on it, you can sleep comfortably, you can travel to places, there’s a head with closed-door privacy, there’s a shower. …”

“The boat was just rigged right. It had great sails on it. It sailed really well,” said Sherman. “It felt wonderful. The steering controls and everything just felt good. I was comfortable at the helm. So high marks and kudos to the sailing performance. This is a nice couple’s boat. I think two people could have a blast on it, or maybe a family with one or two small children. I think it definitely has a place in this class as a solid contender.”

In fact, when the votes were tallied, the Bavaria Cruiser 34 did even better than that, earning the title of 2018’s Best Pocket Cruiser.

Other Winners:

• Best Midsize Cruiser 44-47 Feet/Overall Winner
• Best Midsize Cruiser 40-44 Feet
• Best Full-Size Cruiser 50-54 Feet
• Best Full-Size Cruiser 54-58 Feet
• Best Cruising Catamaran
• Best Luxury Cruiser
• Most Innovative

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• Meet the Judges
• More: bavaria , Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year 2018 , Sailboats , stiletto xc
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Losing Sleep - Sanibel 18 or Montgomery 17

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I have been reading everything I can about these two trailerable pocket cruisers, and am distraught over which to buy. Sanibel 18 supposedly has better sleeping space... Montgomery has better self righting abilities and sails more stiffly, which would please my little ones. I love the looks of the Monty, but was wondering if there is a centerboard trunk that intrudes into the cabin? A 360 degree tour of the M17 would provide answers to my interior layout questions. The Sanibel, I understand, is open below, and will beach quite well, which is an important feature in the multiple places I sail, however, the Sanibel by comparison to the M17 is a little more tippy at least for the first few degrees, then stiff after that. The M17 draws 1'9" which would make it a litte more difficult to beach, but not impossible. If I had the money, I would buy a new Compac Eclipse 21, as I understand it is very simple to rig, and would provide my family of four with a little more room. Non-negotiables: a well equipped used trailerable sailboat that sleeps 2 adults/2 kids on occasion (even if I have to sleep in the cockpit) ... safe in the Gulf of Mexico, but could beach on a cute little island we have in lake Sam Rayburn, and sail in the Destin, Florida Bay, with jaunts into the Gulf of Mexico twice per year. Last non-negotiable: she must point like a dream, because I sail the Neches River which is narrow, and sometimes certain areas of Sam Rayburn are narrow to sail due to stumpy and mossy areas. AHHHH! Owners of the Sanibel18 love their boats. The Montgomery owners love their vessels as well. If I could see both in person it would help, but I am relegated to tracking down all the stats. I would love to see a size comparison of both Vberths, and quarter berths, and all the jazz... tired of losing sleep... AHHHH!  

I can't help much with a choice but I had a Montgomery 17 for a short time and I really loved it. I might have to get another one some day. The Monty is a fun and stable little boat. Good luck with your choice.  

Oooh, That's a tough decision, I love the design of both of these boats, they are designs I researched heavily as well before buying my O'day. I guess it comes down to if you value performance or space, the Sanibel has more space, the Montgomery performs better, but has a stub keel and can't be beached. The sanibel has a huge interior for it's size, and can be beached but is not as fast or weatherly as the M17. Both boats look like they have nice deep comfortable cockpits. I guess my advice would be, if you find a nice used example of either one for a good price, buy it. It's nice to know both are still in production and parts are available.  

Congrats on your decision .... I'm sure you will be happy. I hope your two daughters enjoy the boat as much as my three daughters enjoy ours.  

You will enjoy it!  

Well, I have finally purchased a trailer sailing boat...after looking at many used boats, in various price ranges. I loved the Mongomery 17 after seeing a used one in person, but it was too small for my family of five (newborn son on Christmas Eve 2008!) to stay on board for a night or two. I found a boat that I have totally overlooked. My perfect world would have been a Compac 23 for trailering and stability, short jaunts into the Gulf, and lake sailing in beautiful southeast Texas. I set a ludicrous price range for myself, as both my wife and I are in graduate school. I ended up purchasing a Chrysler 22 Sandpiper edition sailboat, in immaculate condition, with Galvanized extendable trailer for $3000. The boat was designed by Halsey Herreshoff! She feels like a Compac on the water in terms of stability. there are 2 double berths below and one large and long single berth. The one double is a conversion from a booth style dining area. No standing headroom below, but V-berth is very spacious with lots of space above decks. The boat is solid, with 3000 lbs of displacement... 2000 lbs lead ballast, and 790lb swing keel. I have purchased the boat, and she is still on the water currently, awaiting an appointment for outfitting with bow and stern rails, and lifelines...I hope to get the net type of lifelines, to keep the little ones on board. Patience has yielded a very nice boat and a very affordable boat, one that we can outfit and upgrade and do some sailing in multiple waters. I will take her to the bay at Destin as soon as she is looking smart. I hope to add a bowsprit, and a wheel... I will post pictures as soon as I get her looking smartly. In the meanwhile you guys can see some other Chrysler 22's at Chrysler Sailing Association Website Perhaps it is really true...that there is a sailboat out there somewhere for everybody.  

Steve, Congrats! I looked at some of the photos at the site you linked to. Looks like a good choice for your purposes. Neat boat! Looking forward to seeing some of your photos. - John  

Thanks John... Can't wait to get her rigged up and deployed for family giggles. steven  

Well friends, I have just returned from a somewhat successful sailing trip on my new to me Chrysler 22. The first day out presented learning curves. I had on the large genoa, and the wind came up a little too fresh for it, really hampering my ability to sail the boat. I had to be towed in to shore in humiliation, as my motor was getting repairs in the shop. I was just in a cove on a lake, so there was no danger. The next day, I had a nice family sail, but the wind died down upon return, leaving us on a very slow return to the shore. The following day, my wife and I had an absolutely perfect sail. The wind was in our favor in the cove of the lake and we ventured out into deeper "unprotected waters." We sailed home beautifully. That night I slept on the boat, and opened the forward hatch, which revealed the big dipper framed in absolute glory. The following day, storms threatened our sailing success, but I was able to do my first singlehanded solo sailing trip. We discovered that the boat likes a normal sized jib and she handled beautifully. I also learned that the boat must be treated with a firm hand when coming about, and correcting course must be anticipated, rather than responded to. This single-handed sailing was a huge accomplishment for me, as I was making my own decisions, and sailing to my heart's desire and content for an hour and half. Upon return, I nudged her swing keel against the shore as close as I could get it, and went up to a campsite for a break. A rain shower blew through, and just before sunset, a double rainbow was spotted just over my boat. The final day, today, there were 35 mph winds gusting from the northwest off the lake, and I was unable to get her back onto the trailer due to the ferocity of the wind related to where the boat ramp is. So, she is sitting snugly under two anchors until I can get her gently back on her trailer for another trip. Well, I wanted to write a report of my journeys and adventures, and share some pictures. I know I made mistakes. I know that I am still a sailing rookie, even though this is my third boat. But I am now a single handed sailor, at least for gunkholing. Enjoy the pics everyone. Steven Hays - Spring Break Sailing 09 Steven  

Way to go ! What a great deal you got on that Chrysler, glad to hear your first sails (except the tow in, Ugggg ) went well. I'm looking forward to sailing myself but it's gonna be awhile, still have alot of snow coming down here in Montana ski country.  

Well, hang in there. I have a friend who lives in Missoula, and this last bit they say is the hardest to wait through, and cabin fever starts to creep in... but you can enjoy laying out the ropes and such and preparing as much as you can! Can't wait to hear of your first sailing trip of the season! Fair winds and liquid seas, as opposed to frozen ones!  

One last thought on this thread for people searching for affordable pocket cruising sailboats. In my research for affordable sailing, I have found some boats I didn't even know existed. The Holder/Vagabond 17, (early/mid eighties) is a great little sailboat, and an Oday 192 or 19, also mid eighties) are worth consideration. Here is a great video of a Holder 17 that has been restored. YouTube - HV17 Remix narrated.m4v The world out there for trailer sailors is so much broader than I ever thought it would be.  

Another Chrysler 22 owner I also have a Chrysler 22 swing keel boat (1978), but I am in central TX on Lake Stillhouse-Hollow. These 22s are good boats but not real easy to trailer and rig. It does weigh 3,000 pounds! Mine stays in a marina slip and removed once a year for maintenance and cleanup. A fun boat with lots of cabin room. Carl Temple, TX  

monty 17' vs. sanibel 18' I really like the Sanibel, but I'm glad I chose the Monty. I have sail-camped her extensively. She can't be beached, but I have anchored her just off-shore, bow-to, in water shallow enough to make the wade a cinch. I've never considered the draft of the stub-keel an obstacle, and I believe the keel/centerboard configuration to be safer than a centerboard/drop-keel.  

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