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Malabar Jr 1946
Designer: Alden  ·  First built: 1946
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About the Malabar Jr 1946

Built during the immediate post-war era, this Malabar Jr represents a classic period in American sailboat design when builders were transitioning from wartime constraints back to recreational boatbuilding. Part of the respected Malabar lineage, these boats carried forward the design philosophy that emphasized seaworthiness and practical sailing performance. While detailed specifications remain elusive, the Malabar Jr was conceived as a smaller iteration of the proven Malabar concept, making quality sailing accessible to a broader range of enthusiasts. The design likely incorporated the traditional features that made the Malabar series well-regarded: a moderate beam, sensible proportions, and construction methods that prioritized durability over flash. This vintage sailboat would have appealed to sailors seeking coastal cruising and day sailing capabilities in a manageable package. The 1946 vintage places it in an era when boats were still built with substantial scantlings and time-tested design principles rather than the weight-saving materials that would later dominate the industry. For today's sailor interested in classic boat ownership, the Malabar Jr 1946 represents an opportunity to experience traditional sailing characteristics while maintaining a connection to America's rich boatbuilding heritage from the post-war boom period.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.67 ft / 6.91 m
Beam 8.67 ft / 2.64 m
Max Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 480.00 ft² / 44.59 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Alden
First Built 1946
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.6
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
33.96
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.61
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.38
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 702.29
How It Compares

vs. Buzzards Bay 25, Columbia Sabre, Islander 32, Morris 32, Vanguard 33 Pearson

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
32.5 ft
Buzzards Bay 25
32.6 ft
Columbia Sabre
32.4 ft
Islander 32
32.5 ft
Morris 32
32.4 ft
Vanguard 33 Pearson
32.6 ft
LWL
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
22.7 ft
Buzzards Bay 25
25.0 ft
Columbia Sabre
22.6 ft
Islander 32
24.8 ft
Morris 32
26.2 ft
Vanguard 33 Pearson
22.3 ft
Beam
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
8.7 ft
Buzzards Bay 25
8.8 ft
Columbia Sabre
6.3 ft
Islander 32
10.0 ft
Morris 32
10.5 ft
Vanguard 33 Pearson
9.3 ft
Displacement
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
10 lbs
Buzzards Bay 25
7 lbs
Columbia Sabre
4 lbs
Islander 32
9 lbs
Morris 32
11 lbs
Vanguard 33 Pearson
10 lbs
Ballast
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
Buzzards Bay 25
Columbia Sabre
2 lbs
Islander 32
4 lbs
Morris 32
4 lbs
Vanguard 33 Pearson
4 lbs
Sail Area
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
480 sq ft
Buzzards Bay 25
539 sq ft
Columbia Sabre
347 sq ft
Islander 32
454 sq ft
Morris 32
514 sq ft
Vanguard 33 Pearson
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
Buzzards Bay 25
175 s/nm
Columbia Sabre
200 s/nm
Islander 32
165 s/nm
Morris 32
186 s/nm
Vanguard 33 Pearson
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
16.6
Buzzards Bay 25
22.8
Columbia Sabre
20.4
Islander 32
16.0
Morris 32
16.3
Vanguard 33 Pearson
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
Buzzards Bay 25
Columbia Sabre
62.2 %
Islander 32
Morris 32
41.0 %
Vanguard 33 Pearson
41.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
34.0
Buzzards Bay 25
23.3
Columbia Sabre
23.7
Islander 32
25.7
Morris 32
27.4
Vanguard 33 Pearson
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
1.61
Buzzards Bay 25
1.80
Columbia Sabre
1.52
Islander 32
1.88
Morris 32
1.87
Vanguard 33 Pearson
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
Buzzards Bay 25
211
Columbia Sabre
174
Islander 32
Morris 32
283
Vanguard 33 Pearson
412
Hull Speed
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
6.4 kts
Buzzards Bay 25
6.7 kts
Columbia Sabre
6.4 kts
Islander 32
6.7 kts
Morris 32
6.9 kts
Vanguard 33 Pearson
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Malabar Jr 1946 ★
Buzzards Bay 25
Columbia Sabre
3.4
Islander 32
1.8
Morris 32
1.8
Vanguard 33 Pearson
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