Design Brief & Intent
Vince DiMaio’s design brief for the Mallard 19 was rooted in the proven geometry of the Flying Scot, aiming to translate its high-stability hull lines into a self-contained pocket cruiser. In an era dominated by heavy, full-keeled micro-cruisers or entirely open daysailers, the Mallard 19 carved out a distinct middle ground. It competed directly with contemporary designs like the O'Day 19 and the Mariner 19, but offered a sleeker profile and more athletic performance.
The hull construction utilized hand-laid fiberglass typical of early laminate schedules, which prioritized durability over weight-saving, yet the overall structure remained relatively light. This robust build was balanced by an open, spacious cockpit and a low-profile cabin trunk. The interior joinery was minimal and utilitarian, utilizing simple teak trim and molded fiberglass liners designed for easy washdowns rather than luxurious live-aboard comfort, reinforcing its mission as a simple weekend getaway machine.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the Mallard 19 behaves more like a spirited, heavy-ballast dinghy than a traditional keelboat. This lively character is mathematically reflected in its design ratios. With an incredibly light displacement-to-length ratio of 70.21, the hull displays an ultralight character, accelerating rapidly in light air and showing an eagerness to plane when sailing off the wind. Its generous sail area-to-displacement ratio of 26.79 confirms that the fractional sloop rig is highly powered, allowing the boat to reach hull speed in light breezes where heavier pocket cruisers would simply wallow.
However, this high-performance potential comes with a clear trade-off. A very low comfort ratio of 6.74 indicates that the Mallard 19 will transmit waves and chop directly to its crew, demanding active body placement and attentive helmsmanship in a seaway. Furthermore, its capsize screening ratio of 2.66 is notably high, designating it as a tender design that relies heavily on its wide beam and crew weight for stability. In gusts exceeding 15 knots, the mainsail must be actively trimmed, depowered, or reefed to prevent excessive heeling.
Despite this tenderness, the hull is well-mannered. Drawing just nine inches of water with the steel centerboard retracted, the Mallard 19 can slide over sandbars and navigate the shallowest gunkholes. When pointing upwind, lowering the board to its maximum draft of 3.5 feet provides a deep, efficient foil that enables the boat to track cleanly and tack through roughly 100 degrees, minimizing leeway.
Accommodations & Deck Layout
The deck layout of the Mallard 19 is heavily weighted toward comfortable day-use, featuring a cockpit that accommodates four adults with ease. The low cabin trunk minimizes windage and keeps the foredeck easily accessible for anchor handling or sail changes.
Down below, the companionway opens into a Spartan cuddy cabin. There is no standing headroom; instead, the space is designed for sitting and sleeping. It features a simple V-berth layout that can accommodate two adults for overnight camp-cruising, with storage wells underneath for gear, a portable head, and a cooler. While lacking the galley facilities or enclosed heads of larger pocket cruisers, the cabin provides dry shelter from unexpected weather and serves as a secure, lockable locker for sails and outboard gear when the boat is on its trailer.
Known Issues & Triage
Given that the Mallard 19 was built during the infancy of fiberglass boatbuilding, long-term structural integrity hinges on key areas. The foremost point of concern is the centerboard trunk. The trunk is subjected to high lateral forces, which can cause stress cracks in the fiberglass laminate around the pivot pin and the lower flange where the trunk meets the hull. Over time, these cracks can lead to persistent cockpit leaks. Triage requires grinding back the affected areas and reinforcing them with new fiberglass roving and epoxy.
Additionally, the deck and cockpit sole utilize a plywood or balsa core sandwich construction. Because deck hardware was rarely installed with modern bedding compounds in the early 1970s, moisture intrusion is common around the chainplates, cleat mounts, and the mast step. Buyers should systematically test these areas with a moisture meter and look for soft spots. Resolving a delaminated deck involves drilling or cutting away the top laminate, replacing the rotten coring with closed-cell foam or marine plywood, and re-glassing the area. The mast step itself, which sits directly on the cabin top, must be inspected for deflection, as a lack of compression support underneath can cause the deck to sag.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners of the Mallard 19 typically focus on simplifying single-handed operation and shedding unnecessary weight. The original wire-to-rope halyards are routinely replaced with modern, low-stretch Dyneema running rigging, and lines are often led aft to the cockpit for safety.
The auxiliary power setup is another prime candidate for modernization. The original, heavy two-stroke outboards can be replaced with lightweight four-stroke outboards in the two-to-four horsepower range, which are more than adequate to push the boat to its hull speed of 5.81 knots. Increasingly, owners are opting for clean electric outboards. Because the hull has a displacement of only 1,050 pounds, a lightweight electric motor provides excellent maneuverability and range without the weight, smell, and maintenance of gasoline engines. To support basic navigation instruments, cell phone charging, and LED cabin lights, many owners install a compact, lightweight lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery system paired with a flexible solar panel mounted on the cabin slide-out hatch.
The Verdict
The Mallard 19 is a rare, nimble pocket cruiser that offers an authentic vintage sailing experience. It is not a boat designed for heavy offshore passages, but rather a fast, responsive, and highly trailerable daysailer that excels in protected bays, lakes, and coastal estuaries. For those who appreciate classical lines, the responsiveness of a dinghy, and the option to anchor in the shallowest of waters, this rare Customflex creation remains a rewarding restoration project and a joy to helm.
- Very high sail area-to-displacement ratio ensures outstanding light-air performance and quick acceleration.
- Extremely shallow draft with the centerboard up allows for effortless beaching, trailering, and gunkholing.
- Large, open cockpit provides comfortable seating for daysailing.
- Simple, lightweight construction makes the boat easy to tow behind mid-sized passenger vehicles.
- High capsize screening ratio requires active sail management and crew weight placement in heavy wind.
- Very low comfort ratio means a wet, lively ride in choppy water.
- Spartan cuddy cabin lacks headroom and modern amenities, limiting its utility for extended cruising.
- Extreme rarity of the model makes sourcing original hardware or finding owner support communities challenging.
