Small boat cabin wiring

by Stuart Warden
(Cape Town, South Africa)

I am building a wooden cabin onto an existing 19' day sailer.

I now need to consider internal wiring for lights, equipment etc.

I've seen a few small boats and realise wiring is often not an issue and in many cases, an afterthought.

Wiring is often done any old way using a combination of two core flex, power cord, single strand etc. I would like to formalise the following questions:

1) What type of wiring should one use i.e. all the same for lighting, pumps, radio equipment, solar panels etc., obviosuly within the current ratings - assuming one uses 12 V DC.

2) Should wiring be done behind panels (e.g. plywood or tongue and groove) etc., or preferably neatly on the surface along corners etc.?

3) Should one opt for plastic tubing to draw wires through?

4) In South Africa, we have 2+1 flat surface wiring cables (AC) for domestic wiring, would this be an option to use as it is quite robust?

5) Somewhere I saw tinned multistrand wire, quite interesting for marine use - Oh, I think used in a rowing boat for speakers. I have made enquiries and this is not available.

Thank you.