Southern Cross 53
Contact Seller
XPresented For Sale By:
Puerto Vallarta Yachts Sales and Service in Mexico
Mexico
| Make | Southern Cross |
|---|---|
| Model | 53 |
| Year | 1987 |
| Condition | Used |
| Price | US$238,000 |
| Type | Power |
| Class | Trawler |
| Length | 16.15 m |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Hull Material | Fibreglass |
| Location | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| LOA | 17.37 m |
|---|---|
| Beam | 4.88 m |
| Max Draft | 1.22 m |
| Engine Type | Inboard |
|---|---|
| Engine Make | Detroit |
| Engine Model | 6V71 TAs |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Power | 450 hp |
| Engine usage (hours) | 3300 |
| Maximum Speed | 15 kn @ 2200 RPM |
|---|---|
| Cruising Speed | 8 kn @ 1200 RPM |
| Range | 900 nmi |
| Fuel Tanks | 980 gal |
|---|---|
| Fresh Water Tanks | 600 gal |
Description
This beautiful 53 ft. Southern Cross is a classic and distinctive trawler-style yacht, most popular among long-range cruising enthusiasts. Built by Southern Cross Yachts in Australia and designed by Tom Fexas, this vessel feels more like a 60-foot yacht.
Turnkey, Extensively Refit Classic Long-Range Cruiser
This vessel has undergone a comprehensive multi-year mechanical and systems refit between 2023–2026, with major propulsion, generator, exhaust, stabilization, electrical, and equipment upgrades completed. The significant capital work has been performed, resulting in a mechanically renewed and thoughtfully updated long-range cruising platform ready for immediate service.
She presents as a serious cruising yacht with the systems, redundancy, and upgrades that experienced owners value — combining classic design, dependable Detroit Diesel power, and modernized electrical integration and monitoring.
Why This Vessel Stands Apart
Unlike many vessels in her class, this yacht has already completed the major capital items that typically concern buyers:
Freshly overhauled main engines
Rebuilt generator systems
Custom stainless exhaust fabrication
Stabilization system updates
Modernized electrical monitoring
This vessel represents a rare opportunity to acquire a classic long-range cruiser with substantial recent investment and thoughtful systems upgrades completed.
Ideal Use Case
Currently well-positioned in Paradise Village Marina, a full-service home port in Banderas Bay, she is ideally suited for Baja coastal cruising, extended exploration of the Sea of Cortez, seasonal Pacific Mexico cruising, and long-range passagemaking.
With freshly overhauled propulsion, rebuilt generator systems, and upgraded monitoring and stabilization, she is equally capable of relocating to the Pacific Northwest, California coast, the Great Loop, or wherever her next owner envisions cruising.
She is positioned and equipped for immediate enjoyment — whether as a comfortable liveaboard in Mexico or as a proven platform for long-range passage making.
The Southern Cross yachts are sought after in the preowned market due to their reputation for quality and being a dependable ocean-going vessel. “Southern Sky” is a very unique vessel and a must-see for long-range cruisers.
Accommodations
Access to the engine room is through the aft cockpit, providing full standing headroom and outstanding service accessibility. From the cockpit, steps lead up to the aft deck, which offers access either to the flybridge or forward into the main salon.
Entering the salon from the aft deck, you are welcomed into a spacious and comfortable living area. To port is a built-in leather settee with a hi-lo table, creating an inviting space for dining or entertaining. To starboard is an entertainment center with a pop-up television, maintaining open sightlines when not in use.
Moving forward, the U-shaped galley is located to port, offering generous counter space and abundant storage. Opposite to starboard are two refrigerators and a separate freezer, providing exceptional cold storage capacity ideal for extended cruising. Continuing forward brings you to the wheelhouse, which features port and starboard access doors to the side decks for convenient docking and line handling.
Circular stairs descend to the accommodations level below.
Forward is the V-berth stateroom, complete with a hanging closet and overhead storage.
Just aft to port is the guest head, equipped with a full-size shower.
Further aft to port are the additional guest quarters, featuring both a double berth and a single berth. This stateroom includes a hanging closet, cabinets, drawers, and overhead storage for comfortable extended stays.
Across the companionway from these guest quarters is a large storage closet pre-wired for a washer/dryer installation.
Continuing aft is the entry door to the owner’s suite. Upon entering, the private head is located to port and includes a full-size shower. The spacious owner’s stateroom features a California king berth, a large hanging locker with full-length mirror, and additional storage lockers to port and starboard aft.
All staterooms offer ample storage, making the vessel well-suited for extended cruising or liveaboard comfort.
Galley
- Refrigeration: VitriFrigo
- Freezer: VitriFrigo
- Stove: JennAir Range, Electric
- Microwave: Panasonic
- Sink: Double
- Water System: Pressure
- Trash Compactor: Whirlpool
- Dishwasher: Frigidaire
- Other Galley: Prewired for Washer/Dryer
Electronics and Navigation Equipment
- Radar: 1) Simrad, 1) Furuno
- VHF: Uniden UM525
- Auto Pilot: Raymarine
- Chart Plotter: 2) Maptech I3
- TV: Dynex, Haier
- Depth Sounder: Datamarine
- KnotMeter/Log: Datamarine
Electrical System
- Batteries: 8) 470Ah LifeLine AGM, 24V, Installed 2025; 800 Total amp Hours
- Battery Monitor: Victron
- Electrical System DC12V and 24V; AC110V and 220V
- Inverter/Charger: Victron Multiplus 24V
- Interior Lighting: LED
- Battery Charger: Cristec, Auto
- Generators: 2)
- Alternator: 2) Leece-Neville
Mechanical Equipment and Engine Details
- Air Cond: Webasto FCF Platinum, 16,000 BTU's with Reverse Cycle
- Bilge Pumps: 4) Auto
- Raw Water Sea Strainers: 3)
- Head Type: Tecma, Electric
- Watermaker: Aquamarine
- Propeller: 30x22 1/2 Cupped with 2 Spare Props
- Steering: Wheel
- Stabilizers: Naiad 252
- Transmission: Allison M2
- Other Engine Details: Both Twin Detroit Diesel Engines have been fully Overhauled (complete rebuilds) in 2024
Deck Equipment
- Anchor: CQR with 200' Chain
- Anchor Windlass: Ideal
- Lights: Navigation Deck
- Lights: Transom Underwater Lights
- Ladders: Swim Platform
- Deck Wash Down System: Saltwater
- Dinghy/Engine: Boston Whaler, 2018 with Low Hours
- Covers & Curtains: Flybridge, Bimini, Cockpit Awning, Winch, Hatch
- Deck Material: Teak in Good Condition
Safety Equipment
- Lifejackets: 10+
- Liferaft: DBC, 4 person
- Life Ring
- EPIRB: ACR GlobalFix Pro
Exclusions
- Portable AC Unit
- Starlink Equipment
- Personal Items
Additional Improvements
Major Capital Improvements 2024–2026
- Twin Detroit Diesel 6V71-TA main engines — Complete overhauls (2026), including all internal and external components, rotating assemblies, bearings, and new turbochargers installed.
- Northern Lights 7kW generator — Complete rebuild (2026).
- Onan 15kW generator — Major service (2024), including exhaust refit and professional rewind of the exciter armature.
- Custom fabricated 316 stainless steel exhaust system for both main engines (2024).
- Alternators rebuilt on both main engines (2025).
- Naiad stabilizer control panel rewired and solenoid replaced (2025).
- Victron Cerbo GX system installed for integrated remote electrical monitoring.
- SeaBlaze bronze underwater transom lights installed (2024).
- Two new VHF antennas installed (2023).
- Anchor windlass overhauled (2025).
- New flybridge seating cushions installed.
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Presented For Sale By:
Puerto Vallarta Yachts Sales and Service in Mexico
Mexico
Presented For Sale By:
Puerto Vallarta Yachts Sales and Service in Mexico
Mexico
