MALBEC 290
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 29.82 ft |
| LWL | 25.75 ft |
| Beam | 10.01 ft |
| Draft | 5.58 ft |
| Displacement | 5,952 lb |
| Ballast | 2,093.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.8 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 36.09 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.86 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 34.45 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 13.29 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.9 ft |
| Mainsail | 443.2 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 196 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 333.1 sq ft |
About the MALBEC 290
The Malbec 290 is a compact fractional sloop designed by Pablo Mastracchio and built by Oceantech in 2006. With a displacement of 5952.0 lb and a beam of 10.01 ft, it offers a balanced performance profile for its size.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors seeking a manageable, performance-oriented package that is easy to single-hand or handle with a small crew.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.21 and a comfort ratio of 15.86, the Malbec 290 is primarily designed for coastal cruising rather than extended bluewater passages.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 27.7 and the J/29, as they share similar fractional sloop rigs, light displacement characteristics, and a focus on responsive sailing performance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(5 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.7 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| 60° | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| 75° | 5.1 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| 90° | 5.2 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 110° | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| 120° | 5.1 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.7 | 9.3 |
| 135° | 4.5 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 10.3 |
| 150° | 3.8 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Beat VMG | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Run VMG | 3.3 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.4 | 8.2 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the MALBEC 290 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 29.82ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the MALBEC 290yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a MALBEC 290? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your MALBEC 290?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the MALBEC 290
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…