Mali 33 is the first sailboat I designed after returning from Auckland for the LVC challenge of Mascalzone Latino Sailing Team, a professional effort that I consider to have been by all means an overall success for the experiences gained in this class.

The Mali 33 was commissioned by Maurizio Fissi for Owanda , a shipyard already involved in building one-off composite sailboats.

The name I chose for this design, was inspired by my recent far south experiences for Mali, in Fijian language means Smile (Fiji is a state north of New Zealand ) ; I discovered this meaning during a flight connection while traveling to New Zealand for the LVC. Mali is also the name of a colorful Fijian; I believe, therefore, that this name will be the most appropriate for this type of design, conceived for young, dynamic and aggressive sailors.
The Mali 33 will be sold with a choice of bright colors such as red, yellow, blue, black and green (as well as, of course, plain white) in order to recall the colorful southern parrot that christened this design. The deck will be always white.

The main features of this design is low freeboard, narrow hull, a flush deck with performances so similar to bigger boats to indulge the crew in dreaming of high class sailing.
The only design constraints were the maximum beam not exceeding 7' 4" (2,25 m) to allow for easy shipping of the boat into a 40' container (actually, two boats can fit into a 40' container, of course with keel an rudder not assembled and with one on top of the other upside down). This design constraint was chosen to allow for easy export of the boat overseas guaranteeing a worldwide diffusion of the class in markets that have been always interested in my designs.
The keel will be of cast iron with a PRFV xternal Carter to guarantee equal keel profiles for each boat. The keel will be easily disassembled for container shipping of the boat.The boat is also easily towed with a trailer "ready to sail", keel and rudder mounted, with a SUV, complying with EU and US street legal transport.
Technically speaking, the influence of the ACCA in this design is evident. The sail plan, the keel and rudder shape, and the general layout all are inspired by Americas Cup designs. Not by chance, the Mali 33 was conceived for match racing and competitive fleet racing.
. For the hull lines, I decided not to be influenced by any class rules; therefore, they are very smooth, with straight diagonals, round sections to allow for minimal wetted surfaces, balanced hull volumes even in heeled conditions.
In conceiving the hull lines I have undergone am extensive analysis of the hull and appendages positioning, with VPP and CFD software available in house. This allowed for a perfect weight balance necessary for a racing boat.
VPP analysis gave excellent performances for this size of boat, for close hauling as well as for reaching. Two different running sail configuration are allowed: a topmast gennaker on a carbon mast bowsprit or a fractional spinnaker on a spinnaker pole. The mainsail is similar to last generation ACCA mainsails. The mast is of Carbon Fiber with 4 line of spreaders with shrouds swept back 20° without backstay. The mast was specifically designed for this boat , with its topmost part easily dismounted to fit inside a 40" container along with the boat for easy shipping.
For the steering system I opted for a wheel configuration, giving the Mali 33 a special look, certainly an unusual choice for this type and size of boat, but, technically speaking, it is the best choice. I also had positive comments for this setup from many internationally renowned match racer skippers. Another advantage to the wheel configuration is that it allow the skipper to steer inboard, good for those that are not so athletic or lightweight.
Crew number in the racing configuration is 5 or the equivalent of 937 Lb. (425 kg.) .
The Mali 33 however is not only designed for match or fleet races, but can also be used by the family as a day sailor. Its elegant hull lines recall the old 6 meter SI; very easy to handle even with reduced crew, the Mali 33 can also be equipped with a stern outboard and with stanchions and pulpits ( placement on the deck is already taken into account) allowing for class rules regattas.
The Mali 33 is built on a strict one design schedule. Weights and dimensions are strictly controlled during construction for perfect performance repeatability. The boat is built from female molds for the hull, deck and internal web stringers. Construction is of Epoxy and E-Glass with PVC core and cured under vacuum. Internal structure are also built with epoxy and carbon fiber reinforcements
Structures and laminating schedules are designed to comply with ABS and CE scantling.
The high aspect ratio keel with torpedo are of cast iron and the high keel/displacement ratio gives the boat a large righting moment for great stability. The rudder and rudder post are built of epoxy and carbon fiber. Its high aspect ratio together with a large surface area allows for great steering and maneuverability.

Presently the molds are been completed. Interest for the Mali 33 is already very high. Class rules are in the writing and class association will be underwritten as hull n. 1 will be launched. Launching of hull n.1 will be due on early summer 2003.

Need More Info? Contact Us.