MALÖ 40

 ‘BUGSY’ – OWNER’S COMMENTS

Bugsy has been like a second home to me and my family for nearly 15 years. We chose a Malö because our priorities were seaworthiness, stability, safety, build quality and comfort. The ‘Targa Bar’ performs 3 main functions: it keeps the mainsheet traveller out of the cockpit, supports the glass screen, and provides a superb framework for the sprayhood and fully enclosed cockpit tent. We always intended to spend time in Scotland, and it was perfect for both relaxing and sailing in typical conditions in that region.

From the moment we bought her we were determined to look after her well, to maintain her seaworthiness whilst also protecting our investment. Throughout our ownership, whenever anything broke, we did our best to fix it promptly. I applied the principles of both preventive and unscheduled repairs/replacements where appropriate; I have an extensive dossier of receipts for items bought and equipment servicing performed.

When we bought her, Bugsy had only 2 sails, a 135% lightweight genoa and the in-mast mainsail. The genoa was far too large for typical UK and North European waters, too often needing to be reefed. Consequently, I commissioned North Sails to manufacture a full luff blade jib that could be carried in up about 30kts apparent before needing to be reefed. 

In such conditions, by rolling away half the mainsail, she is perfectly balanced and would track upwind magnificently. Downwind, to save having to swap headsails I bought an off the shelf but correctly sized symmetrical spinnaker by Musto sails. Again, to make life easier under some conditions, I purchased a Sélden bowsprit and deck fittings, so I could fly the spinnaker as a reacher.

I also had a hard point made on the foredeck for an inner forestay, on which to carry a storm jib. The mast already has the hard point and sheaves below the forestay. In the end I never needed to complete that additional rigging; the reefed blade jib coped just fine in 40kts in Scotland.

The standing rigging was all replaced this November, as was the cockpit manual bilge pump, and the main electric bilge pump was replaced with a new, higher capacity one. Also, one of the 3 service batteries was failing and was replaced. Now all are identical 140Ah sealed units.

Bugsy has looked after us throughout our adventures ranging from Shetland, Irish West Coast, Channel ports and Islands round to the French Morbihan. 

She is a brilliant boat suited to a couple or small family who want to be safe while enjoying extended adventures. I have reached the age now where more leisurely adventures beckon.

Malo 40 – Bugsy
December 2025

MALO 40 BUGSY – BROKERS COMMENTS

This Malo 40 is a fantastic example of this extremely capable and well-proven design.

Maintained by a very experienced second owner, she is easy to handle, safe with her deep and well protected cockpit, and capable of taking her next owners, anywhere on the globe that you wanted. She has not wanted for anything over her history, and now is presented with new standing rigging, and she presents incredibly well.

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