Malua’s equipment was chosen for extended cruising. I spoke with experienced yacht owners, compared the available systems and aimed to keep them simple while using the best practical technology of the time. The original notes record what I chose and why.
Steering
On a long passage, self-steering matters more than almost any other piece of equipment. Malua carried a Fleming wind vane for sailing by the wind and a Robertson autopilot for other conditions. The choice gave me ways to hand over the helm after the first hours of steering.
Power, water and provisions
A Yanmar 50 hp main engine and a Kubota auxiliary generator formed part of the original specification. Battery charging, solar power, refrigeration, a freezer, tankage and a desalinator were planned around long periods away from shore. The freezer made Pacific provisioning easier, while the water system gave options when marina water was unsuitable.
Navigation and safety
The original equipment account covers chartplotting, radar, radio, steering, anchoring, sails, dinghy and outboard, and safety equipment. These were working choices made for Malua’s voyages, and some installations changed over the years. The detailed archive should be read as a record of the boat at the time, rather than a current inventory.
Explore the systems
Power and propulsion
The installations, changes and practical lessons behind Malua’s power systems.
Living aboard
Water, fuel and refrigeration for long passages and time at anchor.