malo 38

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eagle160

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hi. first time poster Thanks for all the useful info found so far. Have a question, I'm considering a malo 38 as a liveaboard for Atlantic circuit and season in the med 1-2 years.
There are around 7 for sale across Europe widely ranging prices but all significantly cheaper than other comparable malo (36 &39). The 38 price wise compares very well to other blue water boats like rival, rustler, bowman. Does anybody have some opinion on this boat and reason why it seems cheaper than other malo's? interested if any (ex)owners could comment on performance and suitability for Atlantic circuit. I've noticed that it's rudder isn't fully protected and often no double bow roller hence unsure it is a true blue water? thanks
 
Welcome aboard! No detailed knowledge for you but no doubt others will be along shortly. What I would say though, is that we looked at the Malo 38 and found it small for its size (and we're used to a traditional, slender hull). The later 36 and 39 appeared beamier and carried that beam well aft making aft cabins more viable - that in the 38 was very small indeed. The relative volume - and I think the 38 is older too - may go some way to explaining the price differential over the 36 & 39. Good luck in your search.
 
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We owned a 1992 Malo 38 for four years during which time we lived aboard for the greater part of two years and cruised extensively including an atlantic circuit and season in the East Caribbean.
Very nice boat in our opinion. Always felt safe and well protected at sea. Sailed well. Had a few problems with leaks around stanchion bases (design fault apparently).
Good to liveaboard for two people. Well ventilated for hot climates.
 
Thanks for the feedback all. I did contact malo about the stanchion bases phantonlady and they did not seem to be aware of the stanchion issue, but will let the surveyor know if I go ahead with sale. Currently I'm still in 2 minds about the massive amount of teak which probably will need replacement over the next 1-5 years... Will keep you updated!
 
TQA said:
If it has teak decks don't just walk away RUN !
Click to expand...

It's a big concern for me but then again almost all malo's / HRs/ Najads / etc ever sold have teak aplenty and they are still being sold like that, so it makes me wonder if it's not so bad after all?
 
TQA said:
If it has teak decks don't just walk away RUN !
Click to expand...

Malo teak deck are 12-13mm thick not you average paper thin strips. I think Nigel Caulder had to ask for a special non teak deck IIRC! I think he wanted to save weight. It will most likely have teak deck.

IMHO great yachts ( but I am biased)
 
eagle160 said:
It's a big concern for me but then again almost all malo's / HRs/ Najads / etc ever sold have teak aplenty and they are still being sold like that, so it makes me wonder if it's not so bad after all?
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Once the teak deck is +15 years old, I would pass I'm afraid.
How long and where you intend to keep the boat is also a factor, but it's safe to assume that after about 20 years a teak deck really needs to be replaced.
Ask around for quotes to re-deck a Malo 38 and take that amount into account when making an offer.

We had to replace a teak deck a few years ago, and trust me: you will need deep pockets. :(:(
 
eagle160 said:
It's a big concern for me but then again almost all malo's / HRs/ Najads / etc ever sold have teak aplenty and they are still being sold like that, so it makes me wonder if it's not so bad after all?
Click to expand...

Sit down before you open the envelope containing the quote for a deck replacement job.

Also have you tried walking barefoot on a teak deck in Med/Carib sun. Remember the Arther shuffle in 10.
 
TQA said:
Sit down before you open the envelope containing the quote for a deck replacement job.

Also have you tried walking barefoot on a teak deck in Med/Carib sun. Remember the Arther shuffle in 10.
Click to expand...

Looked at a HR of about similar size about 5 years ago, with lifting teak deck, the 'quote' from the dealer was about £25k+.
 
Re: teak decks
on the Malo's we found that the teak is of such good quality and thickness that it should last very well. If you are only planning on keeping the boat for up to, say, five years, I wouldn't worry. Don't overclean/scrub - which you will find you don't need to do if you are in a sunny climate as you don't get the horrible green-ness when it's not damp and miserable (as UK). Our boat was ten years old when we bought it but the chap we got her off had her from new and always treated the teak conservatively so it was in excellent condition. Only maintenance we had during our ownership was a bit of re-caulking.
As for teak in hot climates.....not a problem as far as we were concerned...never noticed it being too hot to walk on THB. We swilled down the decks every day with sea water. The boat we have now has teak decks too :)
Re: stanchions....a friend of ours has a Malo and has exactly the same problems with leaking as we had. He was told by the Malo dealer that it was a design fault!. When we mentioned it to the sales guy at the SIBS stand he didn't know about it but told us it was unusual for a Malo to be sailed as extensively as ours as most of them were bought by people who kept them largely in marinas! (we did 21,000 miles in ours)
 
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