The Malo 42 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Malo 42, a heavy displacement cruising cutter, was designed by Leif Ängermark and built in Sweden by Malo Yachts.

'Dreamcatcher', a Malo 42 Cruising Cutter at Anchor

A Malo 42 Cutter

Published Specification for the Malo 42

Underwater Profile: Fin keel and skeg-hung rudder;

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass);

Length Overall: 43'2" (13.2m);

Waterline Length: 34'9" (10.6m);

Beam: 13'1" (4.0m);

Draft: 6'5" (2.0m);

Rig Type: Cutter (also produced as Fractional Sloop);

Displacement: 30,423lb (13,800kg;)

Designer: Leif Ängermark;

Builder: Malo Yachts (Sweden);

Year First Built: 1991;

Year Last Built: 2002;

Number Built: 33;

Published Design Ratios for the Malo 42

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.3

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.0

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 323

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 41.0

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Malo 42

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 15.3 suggests that the Malo 42 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.0 means that the Malo 42 will initially stand up reasonably well to her canvas in a moderate breeze, but she'll need a reef in the main to avoid heeling excessively in a gust.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 323, tells us the Malo 42 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 41.0 suggests that crew comfort of a Malo 42 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Malo 42 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.