Design and Construction
Malö Yachts built the 45/46 with sandwich construction using a balsa core in the hull and deck, with the mouldings bolted and bonded together into a single unit hull and deck are sandwich construction with a balsa core. Longitudinal and transverse bulkheads were laminated directly to the hull rather than set into a tray, and the yard used solid-core laminate where high-load deck fittings were secured. Expert survey opinion holds that the hull is balsa core above the waterline and solid below, and that new owners were offered the choice of balsa or Divinycell foam reinforcement in hull and deck. The material quality at build was high and all hand-laid. On deck, the boat carries acres of 12mm teak, a stainless-capped rubbing streak, proper dorade vents with protective grab rails, and deep coamings that lend a strong sense of being well protected. A part-skeg supports the balanced rudder.
Rig and Handling
The 46 carries a masthead-sloop rig with a trademark Targa arch that keeps the cockpit clutter-free, protects the crew from an accidental gybe, and serves as a support for a full cockpit canopy trademark Targa arch keeps the cockpit clutter-free. A removable inner forestay permits a hank-on staysail, and the tested boat Wimsey was set up for downwind work with a mast-mounted spinnaker pole and a removable sprit for a cruising chute. Under sail, test sailors found her light enough to get going in 6 knots of true wind yet heavy enough to dismiss wind-over-tide chop; under full sail in 17 knots apparent she made 6.5 knots at 48°, freed off to over 7 knots close-reaching, and flew downwind at a comfortable 8 knots under a conservative sail plan. Below the waterline a substantial fin keel holds draft to little more than 2m, with a hearty 39 per cent ballast ratio and an AVS of 128° underpinning the blue-water claim.
Accommodations
The 46 offers the greatest flexibility in interior layout and fitting out of any Malö, satisfying individual owner requirements down to the finest detail. The hand-finished mahogany interior radiates warmth through a well-compartmentalised layout. The snug, U-shaped galley sits offset to port of the companionway and faces forward; the fridge is small for a boat this size, though a decent freezer balances it, and opposite lies a standard-sized heads. The generous starboard nav station has a proper chart table and a dedicated chart drawer lower down, although there is little to hold the navigator in the seat on starboard tack. The saloon centers on a horse-shoe seat that unfolds and twists 90° into a double berth for eight in total, but stowage there is limited. Forward, the master cabin sits flanked by a heads and a separate wet-room superb for sodden foulies; its bow location is a noisy, bumpy place in a gale. Two nearly symmetrical aft doubles sit below the cockpit, with a twin-bunk alternative on one side. A wonderful lazarette locker hides under a helm seat that raises for exceptional access.
Known Issues
Several service-access shortcomings mark the design. The black-water tank could not be reached without taking the heads apart, and bilge access was minimal throughout. Engine access is adequate for coastal sailing but disappointing for a boat with big cruising ambitions: the sides are a tight squeeze from the companionway, the dipstick is barely visible, and a screwdriver is needed to remove the compartment front for the alternator and raw-water pump, though the Racor and coolant tank sit easily reached above. The chain locker was not easy to access. Surveyors have seen issues with encapsulated alloy flat bar for deck fittings fastened with stainless steel, and the skeg-supported rudder’s lower bearings and lip seals need checking, the seals requiring renewal every seven years.
The Verdict
The Malö 45/46 is a rare, thoughtfully engineered Swedish cruiser that pairs a stiff, seakindly hull with a flexible, hand-finished interior and a cockpit arch that tames downwind chaos. Its limited production and bespoke layout options make it a considered choice for the long-distance sailor who values build integrity over volume, even as tight system access demands a patient owner.
Pros
- Balsa-and-solid laminate hull with bonded deck and direct-laminated bulkheads
- Targa arch, inner forestay, and fin keel with 128° AVS for blue water
- Unmatched layout flexibility and warm mahogany joinery
- Generous nav station, separate wet-room, and raised helm-seat lazarette
Cons
- Minimal bilge and black-water tank access; awkward engine and chain-locker reach
- Bow master cabin noisy and bumpy in heavy weather
- Small saloon fridge and limited stowage
- Rudder-seal renewal and alloy/stainless deck fitting corrosion to monitor
