SOUTHERN CROSS

FEATURED ALBERG 37

 

SOUTHERN CROSS, a 1977Alberg 37 sloop, Hull # 180, is owned by Karen and Marcel Steinz of Oakville, Ontario.

SOUTHERN CROSS hails from the Oakville Yacht Squadron (OYS) and is currently cruising in the Bahamas (2003/2004).  She has made several successful cruises to the Bahamas in previous years.

 

Southern Cross was built in 1977 as a sloop rig, hull #180. She was purchased by Karen and Marcel Steinz in 1989 from the first owner out of Queen City Yacht Club on Toronto Island.

 

After many years of cruising on Lake Ontario and in the Thousand Islands, Marcel and Karen decided to fulfill the dream of further destinations. The Bahamas would be a larger challenge. They started preparing the boat in 1994. After many upgrades - repowering the engine, changing from a Volvo 2 cylinder MD 11C to a Yanmar 3 cylinder 38 HP engine with a 3 bladed 16 x 14" prop.

 

They also moved the sink location to the area next to the stove where the chopping block was to make room for the engine.

 

 

A Muir Capstan windlass was installed. An 1800 watt Heart interface inverter, 2-50 watt Solec Solar Panels, Ample Power Energy Monitor system, NovaKool 12 volt freezer, a  Force 10 3 burner stove, replacing the old Shipmate, (the Force 10 does fit into the area for the old stove). Southern Cross was converted into a cutter rig. A self priming macerator pump was installed as well.

 

Southern Cross left Oakville in August of 1997 heading for the sunny Bahamas. After spending 6 months in the Exuma, Eleuthera, Abaco, Bahamian chains the boat returned in the spring of 1998 to be stored in Florida. New equipment was installed here - a SSB and as well as new portholes. After another couple years of sailing in the Bahamas, the boat was going head north to Canada. After traveling 4 weeks on the intercoastal she arrived in early July of 2002 at TJ and Kaye Assenmacher's dock in Kinsale, on Virginia's Historical Northern Neck, where she spent the winter.

 

 

After spending the winter in Canada, Marcel and Karen decided to return to warmer climes. During the spring of 2003, Marcel installed a new fiberglass front hatch frame replacing the original wooden frame.

 

Also a 6-8 gallon per hour SK Watermaker was installed and a new Force 10 water heater. Southern Cross left the dock at Kinsale on October 22, 2003 for the Bahamas.

 

 

Southern Cross is a registered Canadian vessel, which travels with an AB inflatable dinghy with a 15HP Nissan engine. A unique feature of Southern Cross is her spinnaker, a blue sail with the five star of the  Southern Cross. The reason for the name Southern Cross is that the previous owner was an Aussie and the tradition continues.

Additional Photos