The Southern Cross

The Southern Cross is a St Francis 44-foot fibreglass catamaran with a cutter rig. She was built in St Francis Bay, South Africa in 1996. Catherine Kimber and Peter Chataway bought The Southern Cross in 2005. For the past 13 years they have circumnavigated the globe and then Australia. Catherine and Peter have now sold The Southern Cross. They are grateful for the grand adventure that this boating life has been, for the fabulous people they have met and the great friends made. They wish The Southern Cross’s new owners, Deborah and Russell many moments of magnificence.

Recent Updates

Posted: Wed, 16 Jan 2019 - 13:18

Report at 1100 local time. Departed Nubeena on the Tasman Peninsula yesterday and motor-sailed 25 nautical miles to the Duck Pond, Barnes Bay, North Bruny Island An electrical storm blew through

Posted: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 - 10:21

Report at 0815 local time. Departed Port Arthur at midday yesterday. A rip roaring sail out of the harbour to the Southern Ocean. A slow sail around the stunning cliffs at Cape Raoul where pods of

Posted: Mon, 14 Jan 2019 - 08:57

Report at 0645 local time. Moved to another anchorage near the Port Arthur Historic site late yesterday because the overnight forecast was for winds up to 25 knots from the north, and our spot in

Posted: Sat, 12 Jan 2019 - 09:51

Report at 0745 local time. Maximum wind we saw in Stinking Bay yesterday was 21 knots. At Tasman Island, 8 nautical miles away, the wind gusted to 47 knots. Moved 2 nautical miles this morning to

Posted: Fri, 11 Jan 2019 - 10:15

Report at 0800 local time. Departed Maria Island before sunset. An uneventful overnight passage around Tasman Island to Stinking Bay, Port Arthur. Despite its name, this is a beautiful cove. We

Posted: Thu, 10 Jan 2019 - 19:54

Report at 1745 local time. Left Orford anchorage this morning and sailed down Mercury Passage. Saw a seal sunning itself in the waters near Lachlan Island. Anchored in Chinamen's Bay, Maria

Posted: Wed, 9 Jan 2019 - 20:42

Report at 1830 local time. Left Shelly Beach this morning and motored less than a mile to anchor off the town of Orford. Despite small surf running it was easy to land and launch the dinghy off the

Posted: Tue, 8 Jan 2019 - 14:57

Report at 12.45 local time. Sailed overnight southwards down Tasmania's east coast from Skeleton Bay to Shelly Beach near Orford.

Posted: Mon, 7 Jan 2019 - 08:06

Report at 0600 local time. Sailed overnight from Tamar River on the northern coast to Skeleton Bay, north of St Helen's on Tasmanian's east coast. We had a fast wild ride yesterday covering 80

Posted: Sun, 6 Jan 2019 - 12:21

Report at 1015 local time. Departed Tamar River soon after dawn and now we are a little under halfway from Tamar River to the NE corner of Tasmania. Aim to sail overnight down the east coast of

Posted: Thu, 3 Jan 2019 - 14:57

Report at 1230 local time. Arrived at the entrance markers to Tamar River, which leads to Launceston, Tasmania, at 0530. With the current we traveled upstream to a delightful anchorage in West Arm

Posted: Wed, 2 Jan 2019 - 18:21

Report at 1600 local time. Sailed past the northern tip of King Island under clear starry skies. Currently 30 nautical miles north of the north coast of Tasmania. Apart from ourselves, we haven't

Posted: Tue, 1 Jan 2019 - 18:36

Report at 1600 local time. Enjoyed a two day stay in Port Fairy: walks on the beach, laundry, hot showers, provisioning, engine maintenance and the Port Fairy New Year's Eve street parade. Departed

Posted: Sun, 30 Dec 2018 - 16:48

Report at 1430 local time. Departed Southend yesterday morning. Overnight trip crossing from South Australia to Victoria around midnight. As advised we stayed outside the 150m depth line in SA and

Posted: Sat, 29 Dec 2018 - 18:51

Report at 1600 local time. Departed Southend this morning. Slow motor or motorsail down the South Australian Limestone Coast. Just crossed the 100 metre depth line; have been advised that we

Posted: Thu, 27 Dec 2018 - 16:15

A seven hour motor sail on flat seas and a gentle 1 metre swell from the south-west took us from Robe to Southend in Rivoli Bay. Now anchored behind the fleet of fishing boats in 4 metres. Managed

Posted: Mon, 24 Dec 2018 - 21:03

Arrived safely in Robe this afternoon (Monday) and have tied up in the marina. It was a lovely sailing day with northerly winds from 8 to 12 knots. Came across craypots only once we were south of

Posted: Mon, 24 Dec 2018 - 10:12

Came through Backstairs Passage with the tide late morning yesterday. Motored overnight in calm conditions. Now sailing under jib and reefed main. No craypots sighted yet. Planning to make

Posted: Sun, 23 Dec 2018 - 11:00

Departed Port Adelaide at 9pm local Saturday 22 December. Port engine overheated. Sailed overnight on a lumpy sea. Pulled into Second Valley at dawn to deal with the engine issue. Problem solving

Posted: Sat, 22 Dec 2018 - 20:49

Making final preparations to depart after a year of shore leave. Hope to set sail late this evening and head towards Tasmania. Will stop along the way as dictated by the winds.

Yachts In Transit

The Southern Cross

The Southern Cross

Recent Updates

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