Welcome to the sailing yacht Malua and her master Harry Watson Smith
and crew.
Malua is the culmination of my life-long dream to build a boat and
sail into the sunrise,
visiting distant shores, and experiencing new cultures.
Where are we now?
Malua is at: Bermagui Australia since end 2014 having
crossed the Pacific. Back at home where we started a rejuvenation.
Short cruise to Gippsland Lakes for a haul-out. Last winter cruised to Queensland
See also
Sailor
Harry Blog
The built started in Cardif Australia about 2000 and was commisioned
in 2004, Malua undertook an
extensive cruise through the Pacific - New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji,
Vanuatu, before being shipped to the Mediterranean in February
2007. We sailed extensively throughout the Med and in year five
we tried to pass through the rivers and canals of France to Paris but
had to turn back. In 2012 I sailed through Gibraltar to Portugal,
Madeira, and Morocco before crossing the Atlantic from the Canaries to
Barbados. From there north through the Caribbean to Cuba and on
to the USA as far north as Rhode Island. I put Malua on the
hard in the Chesapeake Bay. In February 2014 I
arrived back to find Malua covered in snow in Deltaville. It was
time to sail south to the warm waters of the Pacific and towards
Australia. That would be the end of the world cruise.... for now.
After some internal work or rather rejuvenation and some on-land
difficulties Malua was ready for a short summer cruise to Tasmania then
the Pacific called again. In 2018 I sailed from Coffs harbour for New
Caledonia where Denny joined me to sail in the French
territories. On to Fiji for race week and a haul-out then
return to Australia.
2024 Short Cruises
Just a short cruise to Wollangong with and unexpected start which was not expected but has ramifications.
Here...2023 Cruise to Queensland
With the restrictions on COVID lifted and the world still in a bit
of a mess it is appropriate to cruise the coast of Australia.
Malua is heading North to revisit Queensland and maybe spend more time
in warmer weather.
Click here to see where we went...
2022 Cruise
COVID arrived and we were all locked down here in Australia but in
April 2022 I sailed south past Gabo Island to Lakes Entrance to the
Gippsland Lakes for a leasurly cruise. Here is a short description here...
Storms at Sea
I have put togeter from my Journal, Log and Blogs six storms I have been through. You can read about then
here...
or download the 63 page
PDF here
My family tells me I an too old to continue to sail the oceans alone
and I must settle down so Malua is for sale. She is located
in
Bermagui but this web site will give you the details of her features
and her strengths. Go to the sale page here...
2018 - Pacific Islands - again
The southern winter has arrived and it is getting freezing in Canberra
and cold at the coast so off we go again toward the warmer
weather. Not this year to the northern hemisphere but towards New
Calidonia and the islands. 2017 I continued with the rejuvination
of Malua and 2018 was spent on some near place cruises with the
family. Nick introduced Ruby to the boat while I let Theo drive
the RIb and get to know the water again but as the coxswain. He
just loved that.
So May arrived and Malua started to move north. Follow the cruise
.....
read
more ...
2017 - Return to Tasmania
Malua arrived back in Australian and moved into the Batemans Bay
Marina. It had been
taken over by dodge Sydney developers who viewed it as a water based
car park. The environment was toxic and many vessel left.
My departure was more drematic but that is a story in itself.
Malua is now in
Bermagui
Harbour Marina. A great place with
friendly people. Since returning I have done an extensive
rejuvenation see
here. But it was time to go sailing again so I planned
a trip to revist Tasmania as the family had done on the first shake
down
cruise. The voyage did not quite go to plan and the famous
Bass
Straite took its toll. I and Malua are built of sterner stuff so
we came through that but .....
read
more ...
2014 - USA Panama, Pacific and Home
Malua left the USA and headed south towards the Panama
Canal leaving the snow behind. The crossing of the Gulf stream
had its moments but lack of wind forced me to motor to Cuba then on to
the Panama. The Canal and Galapagos were enjoyable. I
crossed the Pacific alone on a very fast passage. A great
sail. Follow the progress.
read more ...