St Francis 44 Catamaran Hull # 22

Angelo Lavranos designed 1996 44 foot St Francis catamaran is now for sale with DBY Boat Sales.

The Southern Cross was professionally built in foam sandwich construction by St. Francis Marine, in South Africa, and launched in 1996.

The current owners have lived on board The Southern Cross since 2006. They have circumnavigated the world, sailed around Australia and have just enjoyed a three-month idyll in New Caledonia. The boat has been constantly maintained and upgraded including a major refit in New Zealand in 2015.

The Southern Cross has proven to be a safe and seaworthy craft capable of handling all kinds of conditions, be it coastal cruising or ocean passages. She performs equally well in light winds and heavy weather. She is sailed easily by a crew of two and provides comfortable and spacious accommodation for six plus ample deck space for day sailing adventures with friends.

The Southern Cross features:
3 generous double cabins and one storage area (or 4 double cabins) each with an ensuite, including two Sitz baths;

a well-appointed galley in the port hull;

a library/ workshop and storage area;

a large comfortable dining/ lounge area with genuine leather covered seats seating eight;

a navigation area with bench space;

a large cockpit with fold out table and complete set of cockpit cushions;

substantial dinghy davits which support a solar array and two wind generators;

an Aquapro dive-master dinghy;

full width swim deck, steps and folding ladders on both hulls;

wide flat decks and saloon roof for easy manoeuvring and access to the mainsail and boom when underway;

and excellent visibility from the helm position.

What the owners like about The Southern Cross is that she is strong, reliable and predictable.

Safety features like wide decks free of tripping hazards, factory installed mast steps which make climbing the mast easier. A 60 kg Manson Supreme anchor which sets quickly and holds well.

A large reliable dinghy with 15 hp outboard which provides safe and dry transport of people, fuel and provisions. The dinghy has enhanced our cruising experience, enabling us to travel several nautical miles from the mother ship in enclosed waters.

Galley down, which keeps the mess of cooking out of sight of visitors, while still enabling the cook to converse with guests. In a seaway it is easy to prepare meals, and the space is narrow enough to provide security at sea.

Lying on the trampoline star gazing.

Swim deck and steps, ladders which provide safe and easy access into and out of the water and the dinghy.

Factory installed water catchment system, utilising the bimini and large deck house with control valves inside the cabin.

Off grid cruising has been enhanced with large solar panels and two wind generators. We have rarely used the engines or the generator to charge the batteries.

A reliable and efficient Spectra watermaker which operates using solar power.

It’s been said that St Francis has the highest percentage of circumnavigated hulls of any major manufacturer.

The St Francis 44 is beautifully balanced. The engines, batteries, fuel and water tanks are all "mid ship", keeping the ends light and allowing for a performance hull design to glide through seas. The Southern Cross can turn in a tight fairway on its own centre axis.

An inspection will not disappoint.