Our Boat – S/Y Maja
S/Y Maja is a 1982 Nauticat 38 motorsailer, hull number 156, built by Siltala Yachts in Finland. She is a classic pilothouse ketch with a semi-long keel and skeg-hung rudder — designed for comfort, safety and long-distance cruising rather than pure speed.
We bought her to live aboard and to travel further. Since then we have documented almost everything: the real engineering work, the upgrades, the daily systems, the problems, and the solutions. Most of the technical videos on the Sailing Maja YouTube channel are made on and about this boat.
Explore the Nauticat 38 in more detail
This page is the starting point. Use the links below to go deeper into specific topics. Almost every section contains technical details and links to relevant videos from the channel.
- History of the Nauticat 38
- Rig & Sails
- Engine, Systems & Electrical
- Steering & Self-Steering
- Safety & Emergencies
- Upgrades & Projects
- Liveaboard Life
- Dimensions & Technical Data, see below
The video below gives a guided tour onboard our Nauticat 38, Maja.
Quick facts
- Type: Nauticat 38 (motorsailer / pilothouse ketch)
- Year: 1982, hull #156
- Builder: Siltala Yachts, Finland
- Length overall: approx. 11.4–11.8 m
- Beam: 3.40 m
- Draft: 1.80 m
- Displacement: around 11 tonnes according to the books and around 15 tonnes fully loaded
- Engine: Volvo Penta D2-75 (installed 2017)
- Fuel: 2 × 300 L
- Fresh water: 450 L
- Rig: Ketch with staysail option
- Current location: Southern Spain
A boat of this age needs continuous attention. We prioritise Safety > Comfort > Style. On this site and on YouTube we show the actual work — not the polished brochure version. You will find detailed videos about how the boat behaves in heavy weather, steering system failures and repairs, the teak deck replacement, installations, single-handed sailing, and everyday systems.
FAQ – Common questions about Maja and the Nauticat 38
Is the Nauticat 38 a good liveaboard boat? Yes. The pilothouse gives excellent protection and all-weather visibility. The interior is solid, the tanks are large, and the boat feels safe in a seaway. We live on her full-time.
How does she sail? She is a heavy displacement motorsailer. She is not a light-air flyer, but she is comfortable, predictable and strong in stronger winds. We often motor-sail. There are several videos showing real sailing performance.
What about the steering system? We have experienced a complete hydraulic steering failure and later an orca encounter that affected the steering. Both incidents are documented in detail, including the repairs and the safety upgrades we made afterwards.
Do you single-hand her? Yes, regularly. The ketch rig divides the sail area into manageable pieces, which helps. We have videos specifically about single-handed sailing on the Nauticat 38.
What major upgrades have you done? New teak deck, steering system work, davits, Hydrovane self-steering, various safety improvements, and ongoing electrical and systems upgrades. Most of these projects are filmed step by step.
Where can I see more? Use the links above (or the menu) to explore the different topics. New technical content is added regularly both here and on the YouTube channel.