Our expedition vessel is the S/V Southern Cross. She is specially equipped for remote island expeditions.

She has comfortable berths for 9 passengers and three crew; spacious interior, well-appointed galley and can carry a generous amount of fuel and water for crossing the Pacific. As a large motor sailor (58ft long & 28 ton displacement) there is also room for bulky equipment, such as inflatables, scuba equipment, surf boards and kayaks.

Designed and built by William Garden & Hudson Boat Builders (Taiwan) in July 1979, Southern Cross is an ocean-going 'Force 50' ketch. She was purpose built for offshore sailing and has circumnavigated the globe twice. She has also spent many years as a mission boat in the Solomon Islands.

With a 2m draft, full-length keel, round-bilge hull, wide-spread high bow, and excellent above water deck height, Southern Cross is engineered for stability and comfortable ocean cruising. Suitable for all weather conditions, she is big, spacious and cruises ca. 8 knots depending on the wind direction - top speed 10 knots.

The hull is a one pierce molded fiberglass and solid teak construction, and coupled with the Cummins six cylinder 210hp commercial marine diesel - we have a vessel suited to remote island expeditions - you name it - we will go there.

In keeping with nautical traditions the interior is crafted in teak with abalone inlays featured on the doors. The parquet flooring is decked in the latest technology polypropylene carpets. She her a large saloon and high walk through ceilings - something seldom found on charter yachts.

Southern Cross is not a super yacht, but has a magic seldom found in other boats, she is ideal for relaxed cruising, or for hard driven offshore passage making. Imagine sitting high above the water on the purpose built bow-sprit seat as she cuts smoothly through the blue pacific waves.

S/V Southern Cross at the Apia Marina, Samoa, 2009

Features
Length: 18 meters (58ft)
Fuel: 2,200 liters
Water: 2,500 liters
Engine: Cummins 210 HP, six cylinder, commercial marine diesel
Construction: fiberglass and teak

Communications
VHF radio
HF SSB (Single Side Band)
Satellite telephone - both text and voice (Iridium)

Safety
Two life rafts (8 person capacity each)
406 EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
Life rings
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Radar
Depth Sounder
Chart Plotter

Shore Transport
Inflatable

Amenities
Three double berths
Five single berths
Electricity (12v, and continuous 240v via an inverter)
Hot water shower (gas heated)
Well-appointed galley with oven
Freezer and fridge
Two toilets and a shower
Stereo sound system - both below and above deck speakers