Southern Cross 23 Live aboard pocket cruiser
This vessel is a modified southern cross 23 ft. Customised and set up as a live a board pocket cruiser
The initial fitout started in late 2023 and has been constantly upgraded while undertaking a leisurely cruise along the east coast ( QLD. ) 2023 / 2024 / 2025. Visiting many off shore islands & anchorages. As U will see further down there is a new rig designed to bring all of the handling of the sail ie. Rasing, lowering, triming & reefing into the safety of the cockpit. The solar tower has 650 watts of Solar imput & the battery bank is 500 amp hrs. The 12 / 240 v fridge freezer & TV are just out of warranty also the 4 stroke OB. Now @ 270 hrs, warranty expired this month'. In late 2023 I sailed the vessel from Bowen via many of the Island group's ie. Whitsunday's, Curlew, Island Head, the Kepple group. Lady Musgrave & Fraser Is. Etc. Finishing up in Tin can Bay with the Northerly's ( 2023 ) Then over the next 8 months, fabricated & installed a new rig & imported a new sail. Then Spent some time in the sandy straits and returned to Bowen this July 2025 That is 1100 nm. Down & back so I think she is A proven offshore capable & permanent live a board pocket cruiser. The boat is sea ready & could be your chance for a change of life direction ? Bring your personals & CHARLIE ASH. No swaps, pay pal, dodgy bank detail requests or the like will suffice I think I have answered most questions here But feel free to ask. Then U need to decide if this is U and come & LOOK. " For nothing ventured nothing gained "
At 78 Years now I have set the vessel up as comfortable live a board easily handled pocket cruiser including the new air mattress fitted this week. Maybe U could include a microwave the 3500 watt inverter could easily handle it. So She is no longer suitable for racing around the buoys with a crew of 6
PS the marina berth rental in Bowen could be re negotiated with the purchaser if so desired.
The initial fitout started in late 2023 and has been constantly upgraded while undertaking a leisurely cruise along the east coast ( QLD. ) 2023 / 2024 / 2025. Visiting many off shore islands & anchorages. As U will see further down there is a new rig designed to bring all of the handling of the sail ie. Rasing, lowering, triming & reefing into the safety of the cockpit. The solar tower has 650 watts of Solar imput & the battery bank is 500 amp hrs. The 12 / 240 v fridge freezer & TV are just out of warranty also the 4 stroke OB. Now @ 270 hrs, warranty expired this month'. In late 2023 I sailed the vessel from Bowen via many of the Island group's ie. Whitsunday's, Curlew, Island Head, the Kepple group. Lady Musgrave & Fraser Is. Etc. Finishing up in Tin can Bay with the Northerly's ( 2023 ) Then over the next 8 months, fabricated & installed a new rig & imported a new sail. Then Spent some time in the sandy straits and returned to Bowen this July 2025 That is 1100 nm. Down & back so I think she is A proven offshore capable & permanent live a board pocket cruiser. The boat is sea ready & could be your chance for a change of life direction ? Bring your personals & CHARLIE ASH. No swaps, pay pal, dodgy bank detail requests or the like will suffice I think I have answered most questions here But feel free to ask. Then U need to decide if this is U and come & LOOK. " For nothing ventured nothing gained "
At 78 Years now I have set the vessel up as comfortable live a board easily handled pocket cruiser including the new air mattress fitted this week. Maybe U could include a microwave the 3500 watt inverter could easily handle it. So She is no longer suitable for racing around the buoys with a crew of 6
PS the marina berth rental in Bowen could be re negotiated with the purchaser if so desired.
Region
Queensland
Location
Mackay/Whitsundays Area Bowen QLD
Usage
Cruising, Live Aboard
Launch Year
1987 approximate
Hull
Fibreglass/GRP
HIN
AXN88Q
Rego
Exempt.
Designer
Southern cross marine Melbourne
Builder
Southern Cross Marine Melbourne
Length
23' - 7.01m
Beam
8' 2"
Draft
300 mm keel raised 1.73m keel down ( and anywhere in between )
Displacement
2000 kg approx. Loaded cruising trim.
Keel / Ballast
410 kg cast swing keel in perfect unblemished condition epoxy coated before antifoul. Controlled by 12 v. Inertia braked 40 to 1 winch
Deck Material
Fiber glass GRP.
Engine Make
Parsun
Engine
2023 Parsun 4hp. Extra long shaft sail boat drive
Number Engines
1
Horsepower
4hp No rego possible or required in QLD
Fuel Type
Unleaded
Engine Hours
270
Fuel Consumption
1.2 lts / hr. ( equates to 350 nm. + ) @ 1400 RPM. @ 5 kts.
Max Speed
6 kits
Cruise Speed
5 kts averaging 4.7 kts when motoring in light head wind & chop. ( 10 kts. ) calculated over a 72 hr. Non stop Passage
Propulsion
OB
Genset
Solar 650 watts imput & 500 amp hrs. Of battery Storage
Fuel
90 lts.
Water
200 lts. All up the Original tank of 100 lts. Plus 2 quality 55 lt. Bladders Easily 40 days, I have stretched it out to 60 days supply
Accommodation
Forward large single bunk. ( new mattress ) Dinette & fridge / freezer starboard side & Galley to port
Cabins
1
Berths
1. Large single The 2 quarter berths now used for storage but I Still have the bunk cushions
Galley
Super safe capillary alcohol stove 2 burner ( Italian import ) ( metho for those not in the know ) sink & hand fresh water pump & 12v. Salt water.
Refrigeration
Brass monkey split fridge freezer 45 lts.
Freezer
12 volt / 240 volt
Stove
Alcohol ( metho for those who don't know )
Water Maker
Catch rain.
Hotwater System
Solar bag ( for hot cockpit shower ) using a 12v hand held shower unit. ( usually 5 lts is enough )
Shower
12v 1
Toilet
New composting toilet, National parks & marina Legal ( the medium used is fine ground coconut husks cheap as chips @ the local hardware )
Entertainment
TV & CD radio
Air Conditioning
Open the hatches. Plus 5 Dorade vents
Dinghy
New 8ft Hypalon unused still packed in travel bag. NZ import ( not Chinese junk )
Covers
Boom cover & tarp awning
Ground Tackle
5kg Bruce on 130 ft 8 & 6 m short link galv chain shackled to 140 ft of 20 mm 3 strand nylon rope last tested in cyclone Alfred sustained 50 kts over 4 hrs.
Safety Gear
As required by QLD Transport
Bilge Pumps
1 Electric portable
Epirb
U will need your own
Life Jackets
2
Flares
As required
Fire Protection
Extinguisher & fire blanket
Electrics
12v. & 240v shore power & battery chargers by 2. LED lighting with bug zappers
Inverters by 2. A 300 & A 3500 watt.
Inverters by 2. A 300 & A 3500 watt.
Electronics
Separate sounder & sonar + GPS. Combination chart, course. Speed over ground & depth VHF radio
tiller Auto pilots x 2.
tiller Auto pilots x 2.
Sail Inventory
1 new imported balanced Lug Sail mounted on a furling boom, all sail handling is from the safety of the cockpit
the sail crafted by Realy Simple Sails
the sail crafted by Realy Simple Sails
Mast / Rigging
Free standing alloy
All sail raising & lowering & adjustments from safety of cockpit.
halyards, topping lifts & all other running rigging new January 2025.
All sail raising & lowering & adjustments from safety of cockpit.
halyards, topping lifts & all other running rigging new January 2025.
Deck Gear
4 winches plus many blocks & cleats
Remarks
The new sail was made by Michael Storer ( from my measured sail plan ) of Realy Simple Sails to fit a modified copy of his design balanced lug rig. He is recommended the sail fits like a glove
A private marina berth rental in Bowen ( can be negotiated with purchaser ) ( Bowen the northern gateway to the Whitsunday Is. )
haul out & insurance have remained @ under $1000 each over the last 2 years and the new notice for renewal is still under $900... Where as A 40 footer would be around $6000 inclusive " food for though "
Just as a matter of interest I stopped counting the cost of this project when it reached $ 30,000 about 2 yrs. Back
A private marina berth rental in Bowen ( can be negotiated with purchaser ) ( Bowen the northern gateway to the Whitsunday Is. )
haul out & insurance have remained @ under $1000 each over the last 2 years and the new notice for renewal is still under $900... Where as A 40 footer would be around $6000 inclusive " food for though "
Just as a matter of interest I stopped counting the cost of this project when it reached $ 30,000 about 2 yrs. Back
ABOUT THE SELLER
Bruce Shanks
Bowen
QLD 4805 Australia
QLD 4805 Australia