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Hydroghyl · 23-11-2014, 14:07

I am looking for a new-to-me bigger boat and am interested in the Southern Cross 35 and 39. I had the opportunity to climb around on one of each, on the hard, and was impressed with the build quality,..etc. It seems to be much what I am looking for, with many of the design elements I like and few of the ones I don't. I would like to have any remarks from current or past owners of these boats on sailing qualities, pros and cons, overall satisfaction, thoughts on suitability for blue water cruising...etc.

I hope to get a boat capable of blue water work and eventually do some extended cruising. I have read many of the reviews, which in general I would characterize as positive, but most of them are by people who are knowledgable about boats in general, but have little actual experience on these particular boats. I am looking for some information from an owner/sailor or maybe someone that has crewed on one a fair amount.

Thanks,
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Eleuthera 2014 · 24-11-2014, 08:17

They are balsa cored... be careful, VERY careful.

Could become a bottomless pit. In my opinion of course...

GL

Hydroghyl · 25-11-2014, 16:31

No, they are not.

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sardinebreath · 25-11-2014, 22:56

Seems to be Airex cored hulls with balsa cored decks. It is said that because of a calculating error, the 35 was built with a far heavier hull sandwich than designed and so is extremely strong. I don't know if Southern Cross cores the whole hull or just above the water line. Hopefully the latter. Caveat: I have no actual experience with Southern Cross boats.
Opinions vary about cored hulls, whether balsa or Airex. They are supposed to be much stiffer than a comparable solid lay up, but resistance to damage from impacts may actually be less. Personally I'd be scared to own a cored hull because a wet core is just another fantastically expensive thing to worry about on a boat--as if we needed more. But there are more and more of them out there so I'm sure they have their strong points.

one surveyors opinion: Cored Hull Bottoms

sardinebreath · 25-11-2014, 23:15

I'm also not a big fan of embedded iron ballast which Southern Cross seems to employ.

Terra Nova · 26-11-2014, 09:34

Generally a good idea to avoid cored hulls for cruising boats.

OrangeCrush · 30-11-2014, 09:27

I'm no expert on the southern cross although the 35 is on my eventual short list to trade up. Just to clear up one point, the SC 35 has internally cast lead while the 39 has internally cast iron. Both have airex cored hulls throughout, but I'm not seeing many issues anywhere from this.

I do have one question though in case anybody knows: is the rudder skeg external (bolted on) or is it part of the fiberglass hull?

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Hydroghyl · 30-11-2014, 10:33

Based on looking at two examples out of the water (one 35 and one 39) it appears that the skeg is part of the layup, but the gudgeon at the bottom is bolted on, as one might expect.

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OrangeCrush · 02-12-2014, 04:48

It seems like there would need to be a gear inside that skeg for the prop, like the lower unit on an outboard. How does that work? Is there an oil casing in there too?

Also based on some google images it seems that keel and skeg are connected with a cable. I'm guessing this is to stabilize the skeg and protect it from lines, etc.

Any insight or inherent problems with these designs? I really like these boats but I agree with OP that there is scanty information on them, on the internet at least.

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Hydroghyl · 02-12-2014, 06:05

Some of the boats (35 and 39) appear to have aperture props which would require at least a bearing in the skeg. Likely not gears though. Others have the prop between the skeg and keel and likely have a V-drive.
The 39 I saw (technically a Gilmer 39) has the prop between the skeg and keel and offset by 5 degrees or so. Likely to counteract the prop walk and make the boat track better.

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Terra Nova · 02-12-2014, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

It seems like there would need to be a gear inside that skeg for the prop, like the lower unit on an outboard. How does that work? Is there an oil casing in there too?...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydroghyl

...Others have the prop between the skeg and keel and likely have a V-drive.
The 39 I saw (technically a Gilmer 39) has the prop between the skeg and keel and offset by 5 degrees or so. Likely to counteract the prop walk and make the boat track better...

Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Gears and oil in the skeg?

BTW, a shaft is offset so it can be removed from the boat.

Hydroghyl · 02-12-2014, 13:32

I was not suggesting a drive in the skeg or any other mechanical workings.

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OrangeCrush · 02-12-2014, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Gears and oil in the skeg?

Well I'm the one that mentioned that, not the OP, but that's why I phrased my words in the form of a question. Just from looking at pictures of the 35 it's clear that the drive shaft has to turn a corner somewhere if the prop is to turn in the skeg. In my experience (outboards) when shafts turn corners there is a need for lubrication, hence my question.

Your reply succeeded in making me feel ignorant, but no more than I did already. As for actual information, sadly it offered none.