Design and Construction
The 42 has a solid-fiberglass hull and deck, a fin keel carrying roughly 12,125 pounds of lead ballast, and a skeg-hung rudder. Displacement is near 30,400 pounds, while beam is just over 13 feet. Its ballast ratio approaches 40 percent, which the design translates into notable stiffness and righting moment.
Under the Olsson family and later owners, Malö Yachts laminated the hull and deck into a single unit before installing the interior joinery. Rather than relying on a molded tray, the yard built a structural grid of transverse and longitudinal bulkheads directly into the hull. These methods give the boat rigidity without using a cored hull.
Malö offered the 42 with either a cutter rig or a fractional sloop rig. Both versions have the same hull, keel, and rudder design.
Rig and Handling
The cutter carries a self-tacking staysail and a larger genoa. The fractional sloop uses a single headsail beneath a taller mast. A well-balanced sail plan and efficient deck layout make either configuration manageable for a small crew or even a singlehander; the cutter’s self-tacking staysail contributes to that ease.
Although the 42 is a heavy-displacement cruiser, it sails close to the wind, tacks quickly, and runs downwind without fuss. Its moderate beam and waterline of nearly 35 feet contribute good speed and directional stability. The helm is responsive, and the boat has good maneuverability under power.
Accommodations
The standard interior has a large aft cabin with a double berth and ensuite head. Forward, there’s a V-berth cabin with a separate head. The saloon includes a U-shaped settee arranged around a drop-leaf table, while the galley sits to port opposite the navigation station. High-quality mahogany joinery and ample storage define the interior.
A large cockpit locker and a lazarette provide space for deck gear. An alternative layout replaces the single aft cabin with two aft doubles sharing a head, increasing sleeping capacity to six. The trade-off is reduced cockpit-locker and lazarette storage.
Builder and Design Context
Malö Yachts operates from Kungsviken and is part of Sweden Yachts Group, alongside CR Yachts and Regina af Vindö. Designer Leif Ängermark also drew the Malö 40, 45, and 50, placing the 42 within a coherent range of Scandinavian cruising yachts rather than making it a one-off design exercise.
The Verdict
The Malö 42 is a thoughtfully executed bluewater cruiser: heavy enough to settle into a seaway, yet balanced and manageable with a reduced crew. Its choice of two rigs, rigid single-unit construction, and mahogany interior distinguish it as a serious long-distance yacht rather than a charter-tier compromise.
Pros
- High ballast ratio and solid-GRP construction provide stiffness and structural integrity
- Cutter and fractional sloop options use the same hull and keel
- Spacious, well-joined interior with a choice of aft-cabin layouts
- Singlehander-friendly sail plan and responsive helm
Cons
- Heavy displacement limits outright acceleration in light air compared with lighter cruisers
- Two-aft-cabin layout reduces cockpit-locker and lazarette storage
