malo 37 yacht review

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Quick Look: Malö 37 Classic

• By Jeremy McGeary
• Updated: September 13, 2007

While builders to its south embrace voluptuousness in their designs, Malö Yachts adheres to a more conservative philosophy wherein appearance owes more to function than it does to fashion. The Malö 37 is a fine exemplar of this code. A clean-cut coachroof line that extends aft through the cockpit coamings can be negotiated with easy steps on and off flat surfaces. The balanced proportions are echoed below the waterline, where the keel looks comfortable in relation to the underbody and the rudder gains support from a partial skeg.

Below, the layout is simple and practical: straight settees in the saloon that could be sea berths, a nav desk designed around paper charts, and a galley tucked to port that could be readily fitted with a security strap.

A Malö wouldn’t be a Malö without the fixed windshield, and now the builder has adopted the targa arch support for the mainsheet, resolving the conflict between it and the companionway hatch. www.maloyachts.se

Malö 37 Classic Specs

LOA: 38′ 8″ LWL: 31′ 11″ Beam: 11′ 10″ Draft: 5′ 10″/5′ 5″ Sail Area: 673 Displacement: 17,861 Water: 106 gal Fuel: 66 gal Engine: Yanmar 40 hp Designer: Leif Angarmark Malo Yachts AB 206-301-9104 www.maloyachts.se

• More: 2001 - 2010 , 31 - 40 ft , Bluewater Cruising , Coastal Cruising , malo , monohull , quick look , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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Malö 37

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NEW BOAT TEST:Swedish yards have a reputation for building solid yachts with great seakeeping ability and a bit of Scandinavian style. Miles Kendall took out the new Malö 37 and soon realised that this Swede was no turnip.

A quick glance at the papers tells you that there is plenty of financial doom and gloom about. Yet, despite crunching credit and quantitative easing there are still owners out there with hundreds of thousands of pounds to spend on a new yacht. That’s certainly the experience of Dan Hills, UK dealer for Malö Yachts. Dan, along with most of the industry, has seen business slow but not dry up. So what is it about yachts such as the Malö 37 that makes people put their hand in their pocket for more than £250,000?

“You’re having a boat built for you,” is Dan’s instant answer. The yard, at Kungsviken on the Swedish island of Orust, builds around 25 boats in a normal year and each one is crafted by hand. Dan accompanies his customers on visits to see their yacht under construction and usually spends a couple of days on the handover process to ensure the new owner sails away with confidence.

The Malö 37 was first launched several years ago and has been building a reputation ever since, recently winning the 2009 Cruising World ‘Best Import’ award in the US. The design is a modification of the 36, of which more than 100 were built and have been sailed far and wide. The 37 features an extended waterline and modified rudder. There is slightly more canvas aloft, balanced by a larger bulb to the keel. Other changes include curved glass to the wrap-around windscreen and a less angular coachroof. There is a choice of transoms between plain retrousse transom, bathing platform version or the Classic option that adds an aft deck and a foot to the length overall.

The Malö 37 does not pull any punches, nor flatter to deceive. She is a comfortable and seaworthy passagemaker that strikes the fine balance between style and practicality. The smallest yacht in the range, she is the perfect size for a cruising couple or young family. One only needs to open a cockpit locker and see the thickness of the lay-up in order to understand what this boat is about: durability, seakeeping and Scandinavian style. But does the 37 have the everything you’d expect for such a hefty price tag?

ACCOMMODATION Saloon Some builders may try to style their accommodation like a New York loft or New England beach house. Malö does not and the saloon of the 37 is very traditional with mahogany currently the only choice of finish, though other woods are being trialled. There is U-shaped seating around the saloon table to port and the benches are suitable as seaberths at 6ft 4in long.

The fact that sturdy lee cloths come as standard is one of many examples showing that these are boats designed to see active service. Stowage is excellent with hinged locker lids beneath seating. The space behind the cushions can be used for soft stowage or can be boxed in – one of the perks of bespoke boat building.

Navigation area There are benefits to a snug nav station that enables the navigator to wedge himself securely on either tack. For anyone over 6ft the Malö 37 takes this concept too far and leg room is limited beneath the fair-sized chart table. The fiddles of the chart table are carved to allow the wrists to rest comfortably while preventing pilot books sliding to the floor. The woodwork is very well finished, as elsewhere on board, and almost demands to be caressed.

Galley The galley is to port at the foot of the companionway and is a good size for a boat of this length. Work surface is maximised with covers for the two large sinks and an extremely neat panel that slides up and over the cooker. The owner of our test boat had paid the extra for a white Corian worktop, which has the benefits of durability and reflected light. The fridge is a good size and is fitted with an Isotherm unit. Stowage is commendable with self-closing drawers and plenty of lockers.

Heads The single heads compartment is abaft the chart table to starboard and is somewhat stark with white moulded units and only a few touches of wood. A bit of teak on the floor drain would mellow things a little though there is no arguing that this is a practical space with exceptionally good stowage in three lockers. A shower curtain protects the door from splashes.

Aft cabin The sole aft cabin is to port with extensive mahogany veneer creating a cosy space that is lightened by a long opening port into the cockpit. At 2.00m (6ft 7in) long and 1.87m (6ft 2in) wide, there is plenty of room on the double berth for two and the inboard partner need not lie beneath the cockpit sole where there is just 42cm headroom. There is stowage beneath the berth as well as in overhead lockers and a hanging locker.

Forecabin The abundance of mahogany is repeated in the owner’s cabin which has a generous 2.07m (6ft 10in) berth. The locker arrangement has been modified from the original design to allow the occupants to sit up against the sides to read their favourite sailing magazine in bed. There is a huge amount of stowage beneath the berth – just what is required by long term cruisers, as well as plenty of space for personal kit in lockers and cupboards. There is a small hatch and two opening ports each side.

ON DECK Cockpit Seamanlike thinking and a refusal to cut corners can be seen everywhere in the cockpit. The wide helmsman’s seat is hinged and held open by a hydraulic strut saving caught fingers and annoying bits of bungee. Beneath is a massive locker with room for liferaft, dinghy and bikes. Anything that won’t fit can easily go into the cavernous locker to starboard. Coaming cubby-holes are perfect to keep winch handles and sail ties to hand. The mainsheet traveller runs along the fixed Targa arch above the companionway; a fact that Malö highlights as an important safety feature. This arch also serves as a fixing point for the Perspex continuation of the solid windshield and secures the folded cockpit tent that envelops the whole cockpit, creating a light and bright nautical conservatory and a viable alternative to the deck saloon. With the cover stowed, the arch does, however, obstruct vision ahead if the helmsman stands.

Side decks The genoa track runs along the inboard edge of the sidedecks, which are clear and adequately wide. The teak of the sidedecks had been weathered by the sun and rain while that of the cockpit had been protected by the tent that is put up when the boat is left in her marina berth. The lines led aft from the mast run across the coachroof then along its side to ensure the area beneath the fixed windscreen is totally watertight. This can be inconvenient, but ensures the companionway is free of lines. The cleats are as solid as you would expect and are mounted on the teak toe rail with rubbing strakes rather than fairleads.

Foredeck The 12mm teak decking extends to the flat coachroof and the foredeck is wide and clear. There is a deep anchor locker and the anchor itself is stowed externally against a steel plate on the stem. This keeps the bows clear and allows for instant deployment, though some skippers may prefer to have a traditional bow roller.

Rig and Sails The Selden mast with double swept-back spreaders supports a seven-eighths rig with a Harken headsail reefer. The backstay is led to a single point on the stern and is adjusted with a bottlescrew fitting – this is not a rig for tweakers. The backstay on the test boat also helped support a gimballed Raymarine radome. When it comes to sails there is a wealth of options, but a standard battened Dacron main and 110 per cent genoa are usual. The test boat had a UK-Halsey furling mainsail with short vertical battens from the leech. The UK standard spec is fully battened main with single line reefing, though in-mast reefing is becoming increasingly popular among Malö buyers.

UNDER WAY Closehauled The breeze came and went during the test sail from Malö UK’s base in Lymington and, while the 37 kept sailing throughout, it was when the wind picked up that she came into her own. She made around 6kn at 40° to the apparent wind of 13kn, but was begging to be taken around Hurst Castle and pointed across Christchurch Bay or beyond. It is in open waters and a bit of a blow that the 37 thrives, giving the skipper confidence and pleasure when lesser boats would be causing anxiety and doubt.

Reaching With 8kn of apparent wind on the beam the log showed 3.3kn and there are times when the considerable displacement of the 37 will have you reaching for the engine starter while lighter yachts keep sailing. The wheel stayed light on all points of sailing and she had an easy yet purposeful motion, shouldering aside the wake of the Wightlink ferries and UK Borders Agency cutter. The larger genoa option would boost off wind performance.

Running With the wind dropping, the 37 made 2kn in 5kn apparent wind when goosewinged. The helm was responsive, though it was hard to find a comfy spot to sit securely. On passage it is most likely that the Autohelm will be doing the work while the real ‘helmsman’ sits snugly behind the large sprayhood.

Under engine The test boat was fitted with the standard Yanmar 39hp diesel with a folding prop that drove her along at 8kn at full revs and cruised at 6.3kn. She turned surprisingly neatly with no need to use the bowthruster that many owners opt to add. The prop took a while to get way on in astern, but once moving the 37 was easy to handle and the wheel felt balanced. You certainly felt that you could manoeuvre the Malö with confidence in a confined space.

We may have had a better than average summer, but don’t forget that the British climate is more like that of sweden than spain. A yacht that can cope with the wind and waves of our coast is one which you are likely to sail more and sail further. some owners will never be away for weeks at a time and would, quite reasonably, rather have twin aft cabins and hang their fenders over the stern. The Malö 37 is not for them. But for those who want to expand their sailing horizons in safety and comfort, then the 37 is hard to beat.

lOa 11.55m 37ft 10in lWl 11.3m 37’1” Beam 3.62m 11ft 10in Draught 1.8m 5ft 11in Displacement 8100kg 17,860lb Ballast 2700kg 5,954lb Sail area 69m² 742ft² Fuel 245ltr 54gal Water 400lt 88gal Berths 4-6 Engine Yanmar 3JH4BE 39hp Designer leif Ängermark/Malö Builder Malö Yachts aB, Sweden UK Dealer Malö Yachts UK Tel: 01590 676782 www.maloyachts.co. uk

Excellent build quality Plenty of owner input Great seakeeping

High cost Unimaginative styling Only two cabins and one heads

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Review of Malö 37

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with an inboard Yanmar 3JH4 diesel engine.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 250 liters (66 US gallons, 54 imperial gallons).

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 Malö 37 is 1.81, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - 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 7.6 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 Malö 37 is about 235 kg/cm, alternatively 1317 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 235 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1317 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 Displacement Length Ratio?

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

Maintenance

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 Malö 37 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.

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

• January 5, 2022

How do you choose the right yacht for you? We highlight the very best bluewater sailboat designs for every type of cruising

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s the coolest yacht , or the best for racing. Whereas racing designs are measured against each other, cruising sailors get very limited opportunities to experience different yachts in real oceangoing conditions, so what is the best bluewater sailboat?

Here, we bring you our top choices from decades of designs and launches. Over the years, the Yachting World team has sailed these boats, tested them or judged them for European Yacht of the Year awards, and we have sifted through the many to curate a selection that we believe should be on your wishlist.

Making the right choice may come down to how you foresee your yacht being used after it has crossed an ocean or completed a passage: will you be living at anchor or cruising along the coast? If so, your guiding requirements will be space, cabin size, ease of launching a tender and anchoring closer to shore, and whether it can comfortably accommodate non-expert-sailor guests.

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All of these considerations have generated the inexorable rise of the bluewater catamaran – monohulls can’t easily compete on these points. We have a full separate feature on the best bluewater multihulls of all time and here we mostly focus on monohulls. The only exceptions to that rule are two multihulls which made it into our best bluewater sailboats of 2022 list.

As so much of making the right choice is selecting the right boat for the venture in mind, we have separated out our edit into categories: best for comfort; for families; for performance; and for expedition or high latitudes sailing .

Best bluewater sailboats of 2022

The new flagship Allures 51.9, for example, is a no-nonsense adventure cruising design built and finished to a high standard. It retains Allures’ niche of using aluminium hulls with glassfibre decks and superstructures, which, the yard maintains, gives the optimum combination of least maintenance and less weight higher up. Priorities for this design were a full beam aft cabin and a spacious, long cockpit. Both are excellent, with the latter, at 6m long, offering formidable social, sailing and aft deck zones.

It likes some breeze to come to life on the wheel, but I appreciate that it’s designed to take up to five tonnes payload. And I like the ease with which you can change gears using the furling headsails and the positioning of the powerful Andersen winches inboard. The arch is standard and comes with a textile sprayhood or hard bimini.

Below decks you’ll find abundant headroom and natural light, a deep U-shape galley and cavernous stowage. For those who like the layout of the Amel 50 but would prefer aluminium or shoal draught, look no further.

Allures 51.9 price: €766,000

The Ovni 370 is another cunning new aluminum centreboard offering, a true deck saloon cruiser for two. The designers say the biggest challenge was to create a Category A ocean going yacht at this size with a lifting keel, hence the hull had to be very stable.

Enjoyable to helm, it has a practical, deep cockpit behind a large sprayhood, which can link to the bimini on the arch. Many of its most appealing features lie in the bright, light, contemporary, clever, voluminous interior, which has good stowage and tankage allocation. There’s also a practical navstation, a large workroom and a vast separate shower. I particularly like the convertible saloom, which can double as a large secure daybed or pilot berth.

Potentially the least expensive Category A lift keel boat available, the Ovni will get you dreaming of remote places again.

Ovni 370 price: €282,080

There’s no shortage of spirit in the Windelo 50. We gave this a sustainability award after it’s founders spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.

The Windelo 50 is an intriguing package – from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, it is completely fresh.

Windelo 50 price: €795,000

Best bluewater sailboat of 2022 – Outremer 55

I would argue that this is the most successful new production yacht on the market. Well over 50 have already sold (an equipped model typically costs €1.6m) – and I can understand why. After all, were money no object, I had this design earmarked as the new yacht I would most likely choose for a world trip.

Indeed 55 number one Sanya, was fully equipped for a family’s world cruise, and left during our stay for the Grand Large Odyssey tour. Whereas we sailed Magic Kili, which was tricked up with performance options, including foam-cored deckheads and supports, carbon crossbeam and bulkheads, and synthetic rigging.

At rest, these are enticing space ships. Taking one out to sea is another matter though. These are speed machines with the size, scale and loads to be rightly weary of. Last month Nikki Henderson wrote a feature for us about how to manage a new breed of performance cruising cats just like this and how she coaches new owners. I could not think of wiser money spent for those who do not have ample multihull sailing experience.

Under sail, the most fun was obviously reserved for the reaching leg under asymmetric, where we clocked between 11-16 knots in 15-16 knots wind. But it was the stability and of those sustained low teen speeds which really hit home  – passagemaking where you really cover miles.

Key features include the swing helms, which give you views from outboard, over the coachroof or from a protected position in the cockpit through the coachroof windows, and the vast island in the galley, which is key to an open plan main living area. It helps provide cavernous stowage and acts as the heart of the entertaining space as it would in a modern home. As Danish judge Morten Brandt-Rasmussen comments: “Apart from being the TGV of ocean passages the boat offers the most spacious, open and best integration of the cockpit and salon areas in the market.”

Outremer has done a top job in packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity, while keeping it light enough to eat miles. Although a lot to absorb and handle, the 55 offers a formidable blend of speed and luxury cruising.

Outremer 55 price: €1.35m

Best bluewater sailboats for comfort

This is the successor to the legendary Super Maramu, a ketch design that for several decades defined easy downwind handling and fostered a cult following for the French yard. Nearly a decade old, the Amel 55 is the bridge between those world-girdling stalwarts and Amel’s more recent and totally re-imagined sloop designs, the Amel 50 and 60.

The 55 boasts all the serious features Amel aficionados loved and valued: a skeg-hung rudder, solidly built hull, watertight bulkheads, solid guardrails and rampart bulwarks. And, most noticeable, the solid doghouse in which the helmsman sits in perfect shelter at the wheel.

This is a design to live on comfortably for long periods and the list of standard features just goes on and on: passarelle; proper sea berths with lee cloths; electric furling main and genoa; and a multitude of practical items that go right down to a dishwasher and crockery.

There’s no getting around the fact these designs do look rather dated now, and through the development of easier sail handling systems the ketch rig has fallen out of fashion, but the Amel is nothing short of a phenomenon, and if you’ve never even peeked on board one, you really have missed a treat.

Photo: Sander van der Borch

Contest 50CS

A centre cockpit cruiser with true longevity, the Contest 50CS was launched by Conyplex back in 2003 and is still being built by the family-owned Dutch company, now in updated and restyled form.

With a fully balanced rudder, large wheel and modern underwater sections, the Contest 50CS is a surprisingly good performer for a boat that has a dry weight of 17.5 tonnes. Many were fitted with in-mast furling, which clearly curtails that performance, but even without, this boat is set up for a small crew.

Electric winches and mainsheet traveller are all easy to reach from the helm. On our test of the Contest 50CS, we saw for ourselves how two people can gybe downwind under spinnaker without undue drama. Upwind, a 105% genoa is so easy to tack it flatters even the weediest crewmember.

Down below, the finish level of the joinery work is up there among the best and the interior is full of clever touches, again updated and modernised since the early models. Never the cheapest bluewater sailing yacht around, the Contest 50CS has remained in demand as a brokerage buy. She is a reassuringly sure-footed, easily handled, very well built yacht that for all those reasons has stood the test of time.

This is a yacht that would be well capable of helping you extend your cruising grounds, almost without realising it.

Read more about the Contest 50CS and the new Contest 49CS

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Hallberg-Rassy 48 Mk II

For many, the Swedish Hallberg-Rassy yard makes the quintessential bluewater cruiser for couples. With their distinctive blue cove line, these designs are famous for their seakindly behaviour, solid-as-a-rock build and beautifully finished, traditional interiors.

To some eyes, Hallberg-Rassys aren’t quite cool enough, but it’s been company owner Magnus Rassy’s confidence in the formula and belief in incremental ‘step-by-step’ evolution that has been such an exceptional guarantor of reliable quality, reputation and resale value.

The centre cockpit Hallberg-Rassy 48 epitomises the concept of comfort at sea and, like all the Frers-designed Hallberg-Rassys since the 1990s, is surprisingly fleet upwind as well as steady downwind. The 48 is perfectly able to be handled by a couple (as we found a few years back in the Pacific), and could with no great effort crack out 200-mile days.

The Hallberg-Rassy 48 was launched nearly a decade ago, but the Mk II from 2014 is our pick, updated with a more modern profile, larger windows and hull portlights that flood the saloon and aft cabin with light. With a large chart table, secure linear galley, heaps of stowage and space for bluewater extras such as machinery and gear, this yacht pretty much ticks all the boxes.

Discovery 55

First launched in 2000, the Discovery 55 has stood the test of time. Designed by Ron Holland, it hit a sweet spot in size that appealed to couples and families with world girdling plans.

Elegantly styled and well balanced, the 55 is also a practical design, with a deep and secure cockpit, comfortable seating, a self-tacking jib, dedicated stowage for the liferaft , a decent sugar scoop transom that’s useful for swimming or dinghy access, and very comfortable accommodation below. In short, it is a design that has been well thought out by those who’ve been there, got the bruises, stubbed their toes and vowed to change things in the future if they ever got the chance.

Throughout the accommodation there are plenty of examples of good detailing, from the proliferation of handholds and grabrails, to deep sinks in the galley offering immediate stowage when under way and the stand up/sit down showers. Stowage is good, too, with plenty of sensibly sized lockers in easily accessible positions.

The Discovery 55 has practical ideas and nifty details aplenty. She’s not, and never was, a breakthrough in modern luxury cruising but she is pretty, comfortable to sail and live on, and well mannered.

Photo: Latitudes Picture Library

You can’t get much more Cornish than a Rustler. The hulls of this Stephen Jones design are hand-moulded and fitted out in Falmouth – and few are more ruggedly built than this traditional, up-for-anything offshore cruiser.

She boasts an encapsulated lead keel, eliminating keel bolts and creating a sump for generous fuel and water tankage, while a chunky skeg protects the rudder. She is designed for good directional stability and load carrying ability. These are all features that lend this yacht confidence as it shoulders aside the rough stuff.

Most of those built have had a cutter rig, a flexible arrangement that makes sense for long passages in all sea and weather conditions. Down below, the galley and saloon berths are comfortable and sensible for living in port and at sea, with joinery that Rustler’s builders are rightly proud of.

As modern yachts have got wider, higher and fatter, the Rustler 42 is an exception. This is an exceptionally well-mannered seagoing yacht in the traditional vein, with elegant lines and pleasing overhangs, yet also surprisingly powerful. And although now over 20 years old, timeless looks and qualities mean this design makes her look ever more like a perennial, a modern classic.

The definitive crossover size, the point at which a yacht can be handled by a couple but is just large enough to have a professional skipper and be chartered, sits at around the 60ft mark. At 58ft 8in, the Oyster 575 fitted perfectly into this growing market when launched in 2010. It went on to be one of the most popular models from the yard, and is only now being superseded by the newer Rob Humphreys-designed Oyster 565 (just launched this spring).

Built in various configurations with either a deep keel, shoal draught keel or centreboard with twin rudders, owners could trade off better performance against easy access to shallower coves and anchorages. The deep-bodied hull, also by Rob Humphreys, is known for its easy motion at sea.

Some of the Oyster 575’s best features include its hallmark coachroof windows style and centre cockpit – almost everyone will know at first glance this is an Oyster – and superb interior finish. If she has a flaw, it is arguably the high cockpit, but the flip side is the galley headroom and passageway berth to the large aft stateroom.

This design also has a host of practical features for long-distance cruising, such as high guardrails, dedicated liferaft stowage, a vast lazarette for swallowing sails, tender, fenders etc, and a penthouse engine room.

Privilege Serie 5

A true luxury catamaran which, fully fitted out, will top €1m, this deserves to be seen alongside the likes of the Oyster 575, Gunfleet 58 and Hallberg-Rassy 55. It boasts a large cockpit and living area, and a light and spacious saloon with an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, masses of refrigeration and a big galley.

Standout features are finish quality and solid build in a yacht designed to take a high payload, a secure walkaround deck and all-round views from the helm station. The new Privilege 510 that will replace this launches in February 2020.

Gunfleet 43

It was with this Tony Castro design that Richard Matthews, founder of Oyster Yachts, launched a brand new rival brand in 2012, the smallest of a range stretching to the flagship Gunfleet 74. The combination of short overhangs and centre cockpit at this size do make the Gunfleet 43 look modern if a little boxy, but time and subsequent design trends have been kind to her lines, and the build quality is excellent. The saloon, galley and aft cabin space is exceptional on a yacht of this size.

Photo: David Harding

Conceived as a belt-and-braces cruiser, the Kraken 50 launched last year. Its unique points lie underwater in the guise of a full skeg-hung rudder and so-called ‘Zero Keel’, an encapsulated long keel with lead ballast.

Kraken Yachts is the brainchild of British businessman and highly experienced cruiser Dick Beaumont, who is adamant that safety should be foremost in cruising yacht design and build. “There is no such thing as ‘one yacht for all purposes’… You cannot have the best of all worlds, whatever the salesman tells you,” he says.

Read our full review of the Kraken 50 .

Wauquiez Centurion 57

Few yachts can claim to be both an exciting Med-style design and a serious and practical northern European offshore cruiser, but the Wauquiez Centurion 57 tries to blend both. She slightly misses if you judge solely by either criterion, but is pretty and practical enough to suit her purpose.

A very pleasant, well-considered yacht, she is impressively built and finished with a warm and comfortable interior. More versatile than radical, she could be used for sailing across the Atlantic in comfort and raced with equal enjoyment at Antigua Sailing Week .

A modern classic if ever there was one. A medium to heavy displacement yacht, stiff and easily capable of standing up to her canvas. Pretty, traditional lines and layout below.

Photo: Voyage of Swell

Well-proven US legacy design dating back to the mid-1960s that once conquered the Transpac Race . Still admired as pretty, with slight spoon bow and overhanging transom.

Capable medium displacement cruiser, ideal size and good accommodation for couples or family cruising, and much less costly than similar luxury brands.

Photo: Peter Szamer

Swedish-built aft cockpit cruiser, smaller than many here, but a well-built and finished, super-durable pocket ocean cruiser.

Tartan 3700

Designed as a performance cruiser there are nimbler alternatives now, but this is still an extremely pretty yacht.

Broker ’ s choice

Discovery 55 Brizo

This yacht has already circumnavigated the globe and is ‘prepared for her next adventure,’ says broker Berthon. Price: £535,000 + VAT

Oyster 575 Ayesha

‘Stunning, and perfectly equipped for bluewater cruising,’ says broker Ancasta International. Price: £845,000 (tax not paid)

Oyster 575 Pearls of Nautilus

Nearly new and with a high spec, this Oyster Brokerage yacht features American white oak joinery and white leather upholstery and has a shoal draught keel. Price: $1.49m

Best bluewater yachts for performance

The Frers-designed Swan 54 may not be the newest hull shape but heralded Swan’s latest generation of displacement bluewater cruisers when launched four years ago. With raked stem, deep V hull form, lower freeboard and slight curve to the topsides she has a more timeless aesthetic than many modern slab-sided high volume yachts, and with that a seakindly motion in waves. If you plan to cover many miles to weather, this is probably the yacht you want to be on.

Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Besides Swan’s superlative build quality, the 54 brings many true bluewater features, including a dedicated sail locker. There’s also a cockpit locker that functions as a utility cabin, with potential to hold your generator and washing machine, or be a workshop space.

The sloping transom opens out to reveal a 2.5m bathing platform, and although the cabins are not huge there is copious stowage space. Down below the top-notch oak joinery is well thought through with deep fiddles, and there is a substantial nav station. But the Swan 54 wins for handling above all, with well laid-out sail controls that can be easily managed between a couple, while offering real sailing enjoyment to the helmsman.

Photo: Graham Snook

The Performance Cruiser winner at the 2019 European Yacht of the Year awards, the Arcona 435 is all about the sailing experience. She has genuine potential as a cruiser-racer, but her strengths are as an enjoyable cruiser rather than a full-blown liveaboard bluewater boat.

Build quality is excellent, there is the option of a carbon hull and deck, and elegant lines and a plumb bow give the Arcona 435 good looks as well as excellent performance in light airs. Besides slick sail handling systems, there are well thought-out features for cruising, such as ample built-in rope bins and an optional semi-closed stern with stowage and swim platform.

Outremer 51

If you want the space and stability of a cat but still prioritise sailing performance, Outremer has built a reputation on building catamarans with true bluewater characteristics that have cruised the planet for the past 30 years.

Lighter and slimmer-hulled than most cruising cats, the Outremer 51 is all about sailing at faster speeds, more easily. The lower volume hulls and higher bridgedeck make for a better motion in waves, while owners report that being able to maintain a decent pace even under reduced canvas makes for stress-free passages. Deep daggerboards also give good upwind performance.

With bucket seats and tiller steering options, the Outremer 51 rewards sailors who want to spend time steering, while they’re famously well set up for handling with one person on deck. The compromise comes with the interior space – even with a relatively minimalist style, there is less cabin space and stowage volume than on the bulkier cats, but the Outremer 51 still packs in plenty of practical features.

The Xc45 was the first cruising yacht X-Yachts ever built, and designed to give the same X-Yachts sailing experience for sailors who’d spent years racing 30/40-footer X- and IMX designs, but in a cruising package.

Launched over 10 years ago, the Xc45 has been revisited a few times to increase the stowage and modernise some of the styling, but the key features remain the same, including substantial tanks set low for a low centre of gravity, and X-Yachts’ trademark steel keel grid structure. She has fairly traditional styling and layout, matched with solid build quality.

A soft bilge and V-shaped hull gives a kindly motion in waves, and the cockpit is secure, if narrow by modern standards.

A three or four cabin catamaran that’s fleet of foot with high bridgedeck clearance for comfortable motion at sea. With tall daggerboards and carbon construction in some high load areas, Catana cats are light and quick to accelerate.

Sweden Yachts 45

An established bluewater design that also features in plenty of offshore races. Some examples are specced with carbon rig and retractable bowsprits. All have a self-tacking jib for ease. Expect sweeping areas of teak above decks and a traditionally wooded interior with hanging wet locker.

A vintage performer, first launched in 1981, the 51 was the first Frers-designed Swan and marked a new era of iconic cruiser-racers. Some 36 of the Swan 51 were built, many still actively racing and cruising nearly 40 years on. Classic lines and a split cockpit make this a boat for helming, not sunbathing.

Photo: Julien Girardot / EYOTY

The JPK 45 comes from a French racing stable, combining race-winning design heritage with cruising amenities. What you see is what you get – there are no superfluous headliners or floorboards, but there are plenty of ocean sailing details, like inboard winches for safe trimming. The JPK 45 also has a brilliantly designed cockpit with an optional doghouse creating all-weather shelter, twin wheels and superb clutch and rope bin arrangement.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr

For sailors who don’t mind exchanging a few creature comforts for downwind planing performance, the Pogo 50 offers double-digit surfing speeds for exhilarating tradewind sailing. There’s an open transom, tiller steering and no backstay or runners. The Pogo 50 also has a swing keel, to nose into shallow anchorages.

Seawind 1600

Seawinds are relatively unknown in Europe, but these bluewater cats are very popular in Australia. As would be expected from a Reichel-Pugh design, this 52-footer combines striking good looks and high performance, with fine entry bows and comparatively low freeboard. Rudders are foam cored lifting designs in cassettes, which offer straightforward access in case of repairs, while daggerboards are housed under the deck.

Best bluewater sailboats for families

It’s unsurprising that, for many families, it’s a catamaran that meets their requirements best of increased space – both living space and separate cabins for privacy-seeking teenagers, additional crew or visiting family – as well as stable and predictable handling.

Photo: Nicholas Claris

Undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories has been the Lagoon 450, which, together with boats like the Fountaine Pajot 44, helped drive up the popularity of catamaran cruising by making it affordable and accessible. They have sold in huge numbers – over 1,000 Lagoon 450s have been built since its launch in 2010.

The VPLP-designed 450 was originally launched with a flybridge with a near central helming position and upper level lounging areas (450F). The later ‘sport top’ option (450S) offered a starboard helm station and lower boom (and hence lower centre of gravity for reduced pitching). The 450S also gained a hull chine to create additional volume above the waterline. The Lagoon features forward lounging and aft cockpit areas for additional outdoor living space.

Besides being a big hit among charter operators, Lagoons have proven themselves over thousands of bluewater miles – there were seven Lagoon 450s in last year’s ARC alone. In what remains a competitive sector of the market, Lagoon has recently launched a new 46, with a larger self-tacking jib and mast moved aft, and more lounging areas.

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Fountaine Pajot Helia 44

The FP Helia 44 is lighter, lower volume, and has a lower freeboard than the Lagoon, weighing in at 10.8 tonnes unloaded (compared to 15 for the 450). The helm station is on a mezzanine level two steps up from the bridgedeck, with a bench seat behind. A later ‘Evolution’ version was designed for liveaboard cruisers, featuring beefed up dinghy davits and an improved saloon space.

Available in three or four cabin layouts, the Helia 44 was also popular with charter owners as well as families. The new 45 promises additional volume, and an optional hydraulically lowered ‘beach club’ swim platform.

Photo: Arnaud De Buyzer / graphikup.com

The French RM 1370 might be less well known than the big brand names, but offers something a little bit different for anyone who wants a relatively voluminous cruising yacht. Designed by Marc Lombard, and beautifully built from plywood/epoxy, the RM is stiff and responsive, and sails superbly.

The RM yachts have a more individual look – in part down to the painted finish, which encourages many owners to personalise their yachts, but also thanks to their distinctive lines with reverse sheer and dreadnought bow. The cockpit is well laid out with the primary winches inboard for a secure trimming position. The interior is light, airy and modern, although the open transom won’t appeal to everyone.

For those wanting a monohull, the Hanse 575 hits a similar sweet spot to the popular multis, maximising accommodation for a realistic price, yet with responsive performance.

The Hanse offers a vast amount of living space thanks to the ‘loft design’ concept of having all the living areas on a single level, which gives a real feeling of spaciousness with no raised saloon or steps to accommodation. The trade-off for such lofty head height is a substantial freeboard – it towers above the pontoon, while, below, a stepladder is provided to reach some hatches.

Galley options include drawer fridge-freezers, microwave and coffee machine, and the full size nav station can double up as an office or study space.

But while the Hanse 575 is a seriously large boat, its popularity is also down to the fact that it is genuinely able to be handled by a couple. It was innovative in its deck layout: with a self-tacking jib and mainsheet winches immediately to hand next to the helm, one person could both steer and trim.

Direct steering gives a feeling of control and some tangible sailing fun, while the waterline length makes for rapid passage times. In 2016 the German yard launched the newer Hanse 588 model, having already sold 175 of the 575s in just four years.

Photo: Bertel Kolthof

Jeanneau 54

Jeanneau leads the way among production builders for versatile all-rounder yachts that balance sail performance and handling, ergonomics, liveaboard functionality and good looks. The Jeanneau 54 , part of the range designed by Philippe Briand with interior by Andrew Winch, melds the best of the larger and smaller models and is available in a vast array of layout options from two cabins/two heads right up to five cabins and three heads.

We’ve tested the Jeanneau 54 in a gale and very light winds, and it acquitted itself handsomely in both extremes. The primary and mainsheet winches are to hand next to the wheel, and the cockpit is spacious, protected and child-friendly. An electric folding swim and sun deck makes for quick fun in the water.

Nautitech Open 46

This was the first Nautitech catamaran to be built under the ownership of Bavaria, designed with an open-plan bridgedeck and cockpit for free-flowing living space. But with good pace for eating up bluewater miles, and aft twin helms rather than a flybridge, the Nautitech Open 46 also appeals to monohull sailors who prefer a more direct sailing experience.

Made by Robertson and Caine, who produce catamarans under a dual identity as both Leopard and the Sunsail/Moorings charter cats, the Leopard 45 is set to be another big seller. Reflecting its charter DNA, the Leopard 45 is voluminous, with stepped hulls for reduced waterline, and a separate forward cockpit.

Built in South Africa, they are robustly tested off the Cape and constructed ruggedly enough to handle heavy weather sailing as well as the demands of chartering.

Photo: Olivier Blanchet

If space is king then three hulls might be even better than two. The Neel 51 is rare as a cruising trimaran with enough space for proper liveaboard sailing. The galley and saloon are in the large central hull, together with an owner’s cabin on one level for a unique sensation of living above the water. Guest or family cabins lie in the outer hulls for privacy and there is a cavernous full height engine room under the cabin sole.

Performance is notably higher than an equivalent cruising cat, particularly in light winds, with a single rudder giving a truly direct feel in the helm, although manoeuvring a 50ft trimaran may daunt many sailors.

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

A brilliant new model from Beneteau, this Finot Conq design has a modern stepped hull, which offers exhilarating and confidence-inspiring handling in big breezes, and slippery performance in lighter winds.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was the standout performer at this year’s European Yacht of the Year awards, and, in replacing the popular Oceanis 45, looks set to be another bestseller. Interior space is well used with a double island berth in the forepeak. An additional inboard unit creates a secure galley area, but tank capacity is moderate for long periods aboard.

Beneteau Oceanis 473

A popular model that offers beam and height in a functional layout, although, as with many boats of this age (she was launched in 2002), the mainsheet is not within reach of the helmsman.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

The Philippe Briand-designed Sun Odyssey range has a solid reputation as family production cruisers. Like the 473, the Sun Odyssey 49 was popular for charter so there are plenty of four-cabin models on the market.

Nautitech 441

The hull design dates back to 1995, but was relaunched in 2012. Though the saloon interior has dated, the 441 has solid practical features, such as a rainwater run-off collection gutter around the coachroof.

Atlantic 42

Chris White-designed cats feature a pilothouse and forward waist-high working cockpit with helm position, as well as an inside wheel at the nav station. The Atlantic 42 offers limited accommodation by modern cat standards but a very different sailing experience.

Best bluewater sailing yachts for expeditions

Bestevaer 56.

All of the yachts in our ‘expedition’ category are aluminium-hulled designs suitable for high latitude sailing, and all are exceptional yachts. But the Bestevaer 56 is a spectacular amount of boat to take on a true adventure. Each Bestevaer is a near-custom build with plenty of bespoke options for owners to customise the layout and where they fall on the scale of rugged off-grid adventurer to 4×4-style luxury fit out.

The Bestevaer range began when renowned naval architect Gerard Dijkstra chose to design his own personal yacht for liveaboard adventure cruising, a 53-footer. The concept drew plenty of interest from bluewater sailors wanting to make longer expeditions and Bestevaers are now available in a range of sizes, with the 56-footer proving a popular mid-range length.

The well-known Bestevaer 56 Tranquilo  (pictured above) has a deep, secure cockpit, voluminous tanks (700lt water and over 1,100lt fuel) and a lifting keel plus water ballast, with classically styled teak clad decks and pilot house. Other owners have opted for functional bare aluminium hull and deck, some choose a doghouse and others a pilothouse.

Photo: Jean-Marie Liot

The Boreal 52 also offers Land Rover-esque practicality, with utilitarian bare aluminium hulls and a distinctive double-level doghouse/coachroof arrangement for added protection in all weathers. The cockpit is clean and uncluttered, thanks to the mainsheet position on top of the doghouse, although for visibility in close manoeuvring the helmsman will want to step up onto the aft deck.

Twin daggerboards, a lifting centreboard and long skeg on which she can settle make this a true go-anywhere expedition yacht. The metres of chain required for adventurous anchoring is stowed in a special locker by the mast to keep the weight central. Down below has been thought through with equally practical touches, including plenty of bracing points and lighting that switches on to red light first to protect your night vision.

Photo: Morris Adant / Garcia Yachts

Garcia Exploration 45

The Garcia Exploration 45 comes with real experience behind her – she was created in association with Jimmy Cornell, based on his many hundreds of thousands of miles of bluewater cruising, to go anywhere from high latitudes to the tropics.

Arguably less of a looker than the Bestevaer, the Garcia Exploration 45 features a rounded aluminium hull, centreboard with deep skeg and twin daggerboards. The considerable anchor chain weight has again been brought aft, this time via a special conduit to a watertight locker in front of the centreboard.

This is a yacht designed to be lived on for extended periods with ample storage, and panoramic portlights to give a near 360° view of whichever extraordinary landscape you are exploring. Safety features include a watertight companionway door to keep extreme weather out and through-hull fittings placed above the waterline. When former Vendée Globe skipper Pete Goss went cruising , this was the boat he chose to do it in.

Photo: svnaima.com

A truly well-proven expedition design, some 1,500 Ovnis have been built and many sailed to some of the most far-flung corners of the world. (Jimmy Cornell sailed his Aventura some 30,000 miles, including two Drake Passage crossings, one in 50 knots of wind).

Futuna Exploration 54

Another aluminium design with a swinging centreboard and a solid enclosed pilothouse with protected cockpit area. There’s a chunky bowsprit and substantial transom arch to house all manner of electronics and power generation.

Previous boats have been spec’d for North West Passage crossings with additional heating and engine power, although there’s a carbon rig option for those that want a touch of the black stuff. The tanks are capacious, with 1,000lt capability for both fresh water and fuel.

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Customer reviews

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• MALÖ YACHTS 37
• MALÖ YACHTS 40
• MALÖ YACHTS 43
• MALÖ YACHTS 47
• MALÖ ARCHIVES
• QUALITY & CRAFTSMANSHIP
• BOAT SHOWS & EVENTS
• OWNERS GALLERY

THE MALÖ 37

The Malö 37 is a large 37-footer. Built to give more performance under sail and more comfort on board, she has more potential to be customised to suit your particular preferences. A partial rig and a full 69 m2 of sail (main + genoa) combined with a long waterline and a broad, load-bearing stern make the Malö 37 an easily handled boat that is full of life. A spirited yet stable long-distance yacht.

THE MALÖ 40

The  new  Malö  40  offers  more  scope  than  ever  for  unique,  individualised  solutions.  The  new  deck  layout  increases  the  internal volume,  with  new  interior  solutions  and  an  optimised  deck.  With its partial rig and elegant lines, the new Malö 40 offers fine sailing qualities, with lively yet smooth handling. A modern long-distance yacht  with  everything  you would  expect  from  a  Malö  when  it  comes  to comfort, performance, safety and quality of detail.

THE MALÖ 43

The  Malö  43  is  an  elegant  boat  with  plenty  of  muscle  and  an imposing  size.  At  sea  it  handles  calmly  and  steadily,  and  despite its  size  it  is  easy  to  handle  even  for  a  small  crew.  The  Malö  43’s size offers even more potential to customise the interior, resulting in a very personal and individual boat. A boat for the sheer pleasure of sailing.

THE MALÖ 47

The Malö 47 is built for comfort, performance and safety. As you would expect from a Malö of this size, it has the great flexibility in terms of interior layout and fitting out, offering the opportunity to satisfy each individual owner’s requirements down to the finest detail.

THE MALÖ 49

The all New Malö Yachts 49 is the first in the new generation of Malö Yachts. The Malö 49 will offer everything you would expect from a Malö and more. The new hull is faster, more stable and provides far more room internally. The interior is comfortable and spacious, with the capacity for a dinghy garage and optional integrated bathing platform with gangway. The new M49 will remain true to Malö’s heritage with its classic style and great blue water cruising characteristics; a yacht that will take you around the world both comfortably and safely.

THE MALÖ 54

The Malö 54 will offer everything you would expect from a Malö and more.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Malo 46: A head-turner with blue-water promise

• Rachael Sprot
• April 8, 2022

The Malo 46 generally turns heads wherever she goes but does she live up to her blue-water promise? Rachael Sprot went to find out

Only 40 Malo 46s were built, making them highly desirable. They also keep their value. Credit: Nic Compton

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

You can tell a lot about a boat from its midships cleat: does it have a good lead, is it as substantial as the bow cleats, does it even have one?

When photographer Nic Compton stepped on board Malo 46, Wimsey , for the photoshoot in Dartmouth, it was the first thing he remarked upon: ‘Nice midships cleat. You’ll want a photo of that, won’t you?’

We both agreed, this boat means business.

It wasn’t the only thing that helped her make a good first impression though: there’s a removable inner forestay, proper dorade vents with protective grab rails and a stainless-capped rubbing streak to name but a few.

The Malo 46 initiates a predictable reaction from cruising sailors. ‘Ooh,’ they inhale, ‘lovely boat,’ they exhale, followed by a starry-eyed silence as the atolls of the Tuamotus come to mind.

Wimsey is well set up for downwind sailing with a mast mounted spinnaker pole, and removable sprit for a cruising chute. Credit: Nic Compton

There’s no doubting she’s a lovely boat, but at the price of a small house, she’d better be, hadn’t she?

And if you spend two years living on a boat because you sold your house to buy it, loveliness will only get you so far.

What you really need for ocean sailing is a boat that’s comfortable, kind on the crew, easy to maintain and seaworthy .

So, I’m donating £5 to charity for every use of the word ‘lovely’ in this review and committing to the strictest standards of scrutiny.

Of the heavyweight Swedish cruising yachts, the Malo 46 has some of the nicest lines. It helps that she’s got the extra length, which allows an elegant sheer without compromising too much internal volume.

The cockpit of the Malo 46 is well laid out for sailing shorthanded. Credit: Nic Compton

They came with either a ‘Classic’ counter stern, or the ‘Standard’ reverse counter with a sugar scoop.

The former has extra deck space and more locker storage, Wimsey is the latter.

The Malo 46 started life as the 45. Dan Hills, of DFD Marine Ltd, the main UK broker, explained that ‘because it was such a good hull, Malo used it for a few models.’

With a new coachroof and other cosmetic improvements it became the 46, and it’s currently in production as the Malo 47, with the Classic stern configuration only and a stainless bow platform.

Only 40 hulls have been made, which means they’re hard to find and hold their value well.

As you step below the hand-finished mahogany interior radiates warmth, yet there’s plenty of natural light from deck hatches and portlights.

The snug, U-shaped galley is offset to port of the companionway.

Unlike many boats of this size, where the galley is tucked down one side of the cockpit, here it’s forward-facing, meaning the pot-washer can still hold a conversation with those in the saloon after dinner.

Sophia Lagus (far right) and her partner, Andrew bought Wimsey with plans to sail around the world in 2024. Credit: Nic Compton

The fridge is small for a boat of this size, but there’s a decent freezer.

Despite being a big boat, the layout is well-compartmentalised, making her feel secure at sea.

Call me old- fashioned, but the trend for open-plan living is best kept on shore.

Opposite the galley there’s a standard-sized heads compartment with all the usual mod cons.

I was dismayed to find that the black-water tank had no access without dismantling the heads, though. Bilge access was also minimal throughout.

Hatches are positioned over the pertinent bits, but you might want to invest in an electric driver before checking your keel bolts.

The generous nav station on the starboard side has a proper chart table for laying out your ocean passage charts and pilot books, and there is space beneath for all the usual publications.

The Malo 46 came with a fin keel and option of either sugar scoop or counter stern. Credit: Nic Compton

There’s also a dedicated chart drawer lower down for the rest of the folio – very nice.

However, there’s not much to hold you into the nav seat on starboard tack.

For those of Viking extraction, you might be able to brace a leg across to the galley unit, but for those of us with more compact proportions, you’ll need Velcro underpants.

It’s surprising how much time you spend in the nav station on an ocean crossing: getting weather reports, sending emails, chatting on the SSB and monitoring all the systems.

If you’re running a business remotely, as many circumnavigators do, not having an ‘all- weather’ desk to work at could be frustrating.

What the nav station could do with is one of the saloon armchairs instead.

The cockpit locker has good access and is ideal for storing bulky items like sails. Credit: Nic Compton

First introduced by Hallberg-Rassy , the three-piece suite approach to saloon furniture caught on in Scandinavia.

The armchairs are divisive though. Comfortable? Yes. An indulgent waste of space? Possibly. With a drinks locker nestled between them, it’s hard not to imagine cosy nights at anchor with a wee dram in your hands and something fluffy on your feet.

For those of a more Puritanical bent though, there’s a standard bench seat version available. This would give more storage behind and underneath.

It would also give a second sea berth in the saloon, if it wasn’t for the fact that the nav station eats into its footprint.

So, given that you wouldn’t gain a full-length berth, you might as well enter into the spirit of Nordic hygge and pack your carpet slippers.

The saloon table is a thing of beauty. It unfolds from the corners as elegantly as origami, twists 90° to account for the fact that there’s now a corner where there was once a straight edge, and locks into place.

Decent ventilation with good protection show the boat’s serious intent. Credit: Nic Compton

It’s a good indicator of the beautiful standard of joinery on board and achieves full marks for both loveliness (£10) and practicality.

The black tank issue is not yet redeemed, however. The horse-shoe shaped seating is luxurious. There were four of us on board and there was plenty of room for extras.

An infill turns it into a double berth, increasing sleeping capacity to eight. There isn’t a huge amount of stowage space in the saloon though.

The Malo 46 is narrower than her competitors and the price for her svelteness has to be paid somewhere.

Forward of the main bulkhead is the master cabin, flanked by a heads compartment on one side and a shower room on the other.

Separating out the ablutions was one of the main selling points for Sophia and Andrew.

A full cockpit canopy keeps crew protected from the elements. Credit: Nic Compton

They’ve both done ocean crossings on fully crewed yachts where the two heads were shared between 12-20 people!

Apart from the fact that you walk through the saloon to get there, the separate wet-room is a superb place for bulky, wet objects such as sodden foulies.

The master cabin is, well, lovely (£15 and counting). There’s good locker space and neat bunk-side tables.

You could even sit up to read a book in bed if you make use of the bunk light and cushion at the foot end, though it would be tight for two.

The drawback isn’t the cabin design, but its location. The bow’s a noisy, bumpy place to ride out a gale at anchor , or even moored in an exposed port for that matter.

The solid midships cleat is just one of the features which makes the Malo 46 a serious bluewater cruiser. Credit: Nic Compton

On the other hand, to achieve an aft cabin of this grandeur would mean having a centre cockpit, which many people don’t like.

Even on a 46-footer you have to compromise somewhere. The two aft cabins are almost symmetrical doubles below the cockpit.

The seats above them open giving ventilation if needed, or access to bulky items if you’re using one side as stowage.

Generous locker space will accommodate two people’s-worth of gear.

An alternative arrangement with twin bunk beds on one side is also available and might be more suitable for families or offer more flexible stowage arrangements.

Continues below…

The Yanmar 110HP engine is a good choice for long-distance cruising: they’re well respected and spares are straightforward to source.

It’s a common rail fuel system which makes it more efficient and reliable.

The previous owner had re-engined with an 80HP version and the propeller pitch needed adjustment, so we couldn’t make a fair assessment of performance.

Engine access is adequate for coastal sailing, but disappointing on a boat with big cruising ambitions.

It’s a tight squeeze to access the sides of the engine from the companionway, the oil dipstick is barely visible and you need a screwdriver to take off the front of the compartment for access to the alternator and raw water pump.

The racor and coolant tank can be easily accessed above the engine. Credit: Nic Compton

If you put too many obstacles in the way of routine checks they happen less frequently, and things like a leaky shaft seal on the pump-housing might remain undetected for longer.

What works well, however, is the mounting of the racor and coolant tank above the engine .

They’re at eye height so any contamination or changes of level will be quickly spotted.

On deck, the trademark Targa arch keeps the cockpit clutter-free and protects the crew from the hazard of an accidental gybe , a major plus point on long, downwind passages.

It’s also a good support structure for a full cockpit canopy to protect you from the elements, whether tropical or arctic.

Or you can put a conventional sprayhood between it and the windscreen.

The U-shaped galley is to port and has plenty of storage. Credit: Nic Compton

The sheet is led back to a winch on the starboard side of the cockpit, just within reach of the helm – another plus point for shorthanded sailing .

Unlike other modern yachts which carry their beam all the way aft, the Malo has a finer stern.

This gives the cockpit a secure feel – you’re never far from something to brace against.

Deep coamings add to the sense of being well-protected but it’s also a big enough space to host sundowners in.

More stowage for small, daily items would be useful: there are only two cubby holes, one of which is necessarily taken up by the main halyard and furling lines which run down the port side of the coachroof.

The saloon with its folding table showcases the build quality. Credit: Nic Compton

The lazarette under the helm seat has a wonderful locker.

The whole helm seat raises up to give exceptional access, and the space easily accommodates awkward items like sails and a tender.

It was already full, though, and the Classic version with the counter stern would be better at accommodating long-term cruising gear.

On the foredeck the anchor stows neatly into the stem.

I was dubious about this feature but it functioned really well on the three occasions that we used it. It also means there’s less chance of the anchor damaging spinnakers when they collapse, or other boats when parking goes wrong.

The chain locker was not easy to access though, so you wouldn’t be able to flake the chain into it.

The Malo 46 has two heads compartments, which was a big selling point for Sophia and Andrew. Credit: Nic Compton

Under sail, Wimsey handled like a dream. She’s light enough to get going in 6 knots of true wind, but heavy enough to dismiss a bit of wind-over-tide chop.

She purred through the overfalls off Start Point like a Rolls-Royce, oblivious to the fact that we were an hour late for slack water.

Owing to her 138% genoa we couldn’t test the limits of her pointing ability, but under full sail in 17 knots apparent, she made 6.5 knots at an angle of 48°.

As we freed-off she made over 7 knots close-reaching and would have done more if the wind hadn’t dropped to 13 knots apparent.

The next day we flew downwind from Salcombe back to Dartmouth, making a comfortable 8 knots under a conservative sail plan.

Wimsey has a mast- mounted spinnaker pole and removable sprit for a cruising chute, which covers pretty much all the bases for downwind sailing.

It won’t take Ben Ainslie to push her up towards the hull speed of 9.5 knots.

She’s a joy to sail, and a fast, comfortable passage-making boat.

Like many people planning serious offshore cruising, Sophia and Andrew would have preferred a true cutter rig, but the removable inner forestay allows for a hank-on staysail so that you can work to windward in strong winds .

Whimsey has a standard reverse counter stern with sugar scoop. Credit: Nic Compton

They weren’t keen on the roller furling main either, but as Sophia pointed out, when you’re buying second-hand you can’t dictate the spec.

Below the waterline there’s a substantial fin keel which is long enough to keep the draft down to little more than 2m, and a part-skeg for the balanced rudder.

She has a hearty 39 per cent ballast ratio and AVS of 128° which is above the requirement for Category A vessels.

The hull and deck are sandwich construction with a balsa core, which gives a superb strength-weight ratio.

The hull and deck mouldings are bolted and bonded together. Longitudinal and transverse bulkheads are laminated directly to the hull – rather than the cheaper tray-matrix construction.

It’s a belts-and-braces approach which, combined with high levels of Swedish craftsmanship, gives Malo their reputation.

However, the costs of maintaining a yacht like this should not be underestimated.

The Malo 46 has a max hull speed of 9.5 knots. Credit: Nic Compton

Gorgeous though they are, the acres of 12mm teak on deck are a ticking time bomb. The financial and environmental costs of replacing them are high.

The balsa-cored construction is another thing which is expensive to rectify if water gets in.

There’s no point taking a boat like this if you aren’t committed to keeping it in good condition.

A boat which took painstaking craftsmanship to make will require the same approach when it comes to refits and repairs.

Given Sophia and Andrew’s meticulous approach, I think Wimsey is in safe hands.

Blue-water cruising yachts are a highly prized asset which, given the right care and attention, will help multiple generations of sailors achieve their dreams.

Would she be a good boat to sail around the world? Well, she really is lovely (£20).

If anyone would like to lend me a Malo 46 for 18 months, I’d be delighted to investigate further…

Expert Opinion on the Malo 46

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA)

www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

The Malo 46 hull is reported to be balsa core above the waterline and solid core below.

New owners were given the option of reinforcing the hull and deck with either balsa core or Divinycell, a type of foam.

Both have the potential of moisture ingress but wet balsa can be far more serious once moisture has been absorbed.

It is important to know which was used, especially if extra fittings have been secured to the deck.

The yard used solid-core laminate where high load fittings were secured to the deck, which does prevent issues.

You also need to look closely at the condition of the teak.

Sail plan of Malo 46. Credit: Maxine Heath

The quality of material used at the time of build was high, and it was all hand-laid, so much depends on how well it’s been maintained.

Watch for wear and deep grooving to the strip planking.

I have seen issues with the use of an encapsulated alloy flat bar for deck fittings using stainless-steel fastening. Over time, this can start some galvanic reactions to the threads.

The engine and drive on the craft I’ve surveyed had an Aqua Drive connection.

Accommodation plan of Malo 46. Credit: Maxine Heath

These reduce the need for a perfect shaft alignment but do need to be looked at carefully for the amount of wear.

The engine normally came with a turbo. Careful use is required in order for these to last.

Oil drips from the air filter is a good warning sign of developing issues. Try and see the engine used under load.

Check the lower bearings of the skeg-supported rudder for wear and whether the lip seals are used, as they need to be replaced every seven years.

Alternatives to consider

Hallberg-rassy 46.

The centre cockpit makes the Hallberg-Rassy 46 feel secure while under way. Credit: Rick Tomlinson/Hallberg Rassy

The Hallberg-Rassy 46 set the benchmark for blue-water cruisers in this size range.

It has won praise from all sides: reviewers and owners alike, with more than 130 made.

Built about a decade earlier than the Malo 46, there are many similarities between the two, including a partial skeg-hung rudder and long-ish fin keel.

They’re two tonnes heavier, which is not necessarily a bad thing for long-term cruising, and one tonne of that is in the keel.

Owing to her heavier design weight, she’ll probably be better at absorbing the extra stores required for ocean sailing.

The sail area is increased proportionally, so performance shouldn’t be compromised much, although a comparison of the polar diagrams suggests it will take a bit more wind to get her moving than the Malo 46.

There’s more than 30% more fuel capacity and 25% more water capacity, so you’d cope with more days at sea if necessary.

That said, one came fifth overall in the 2019 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers , sailed by a young family.

Slab reefing was standard, although some have in-mast furling.

132 Hallberg-Rassy 46e were built between 1995 and 2005. Credit: Rick Tomlinson/Hallberg-Rassy

The centre cockpit is small compared to aft cockpit yachts, which makes for a secure space at sea but less room for entertaining in port.

It’s well-laid out: the double-ended mainsheet has a winch on either side of the helm, just where you need it.

There is a hard-topped hood available, although this might be best suited to high-latitude sailing where you need the shelter, than for the tropics, where you want the breeze.

There were three layouts available, including an armchair option.  The master cabin is aft rather than forwards thanks to the centre cockpit.

The mahogany interior and teak decks are beginning to sound a bit ubiquitous in present company!

There’s a palatial engine bay with easy access.

They’re a bit more affordable because of their age, although you’ll have to snap one up because they tick all the right boxes.

A self-tacking headsail system comes as standard. Credit: David Harding

At the performance end of the spectrum, the sleek lines of the Sweden 45 promise a more exhilarating sailing experience than the other Scandinavian cruisers apart from Swan.

Since 2008 Malo and Sweden Yachts have been under the same umbrella company, Sweden Yachts Group.

Sweden Yachts was originally set up to create the 1976 Swedish America’s Cup challenger, Sverige , and the Sweden 45 certainly has some thoroughbred DNA.

With a deep fin, bulb keel and spade rudder, it is 10% lighter than the Malo 46 and the mainsail is 25% bigger.

Below decks there’s the ‘standard’ mahogany interior, master cabin forward and two doubles aft.

There’s less workspace in the galley than the Malo 46 and the fridge is built into one of the lockers above.

This is more user-friendly in port – there’s no rummaging in a bottomless pit for the butter – but you’ll need good hand-eye coordination when opening it at sea.

The cockpit is a great space but might feel exposed in heavy weather .

The huge, elk-hide covered helm means you can sit to leeward watching the tell-tails whilst you sail past your competitors.

Those setting off across the Atlantic may want to make modifications such as adding a spinnaker pole and a removable inner-forestay.

I suspect the powerful, fully battened mainsail will be a handful on long downwind passages, albeit huge fun if you can keep up with the pace.

She’s a bit racy to be a blue-water cruiser, but the build quality is there and she’ll be more than capable of ocean crossings if sailed sympathetically.

The Najad 460 can easily be managed shorthanded. Credit: Najad Yachts of Sweden/SE Yachts

If you crossed all three other boats together, you might end up with the Najad 460.

Like the Rassy, it has a 15 tonne displacement, centre-cockpit, and master aft cabin.

Like the Sweden it has a slightly flatter forefoot with spade rudder, deep fin and bulb keel and a big mainsail.

Like the Malo 46, smaller production runs allowed for interior joinery and construction standards that are a notch above the rest.

And if the standard fit out isn’t sophisticated enough, there’s the Aphrodite version with mahogany coachroof, wooden wheel and interior which looks like you’ve stepped into a classic wooden yacht.

The stand-out feature of the Najad is the aft cabin: there’s lots of natural light, the island bed has a proper headboard at the aft end where you can both sit up and read.

The engine bay is another triumph: it’s practically an extra cabin, giving unrivalled access for servicing.

The saloon has slightly less seating than the Malo 46, but it’s probably a price worth paying for space in other areas.

There are several layout options which offer single and twin bunks which is very useful on ocean crossings where additional crew don’t often come as couples.

Running backstays mean you can set her up as a true cutter rig if you want to, maybe even converting the removable inner forestay into a permanent one.

The spade rudder will be a detraction for some given the prominent role steerage problems play in abandonments.

However, as far as living on board and sailing goes, she is snapping at the heels of her competitors.

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