Cavalier 45 Centre Cockpit Laurie Davidson design Just Listed

This is a rare and very high quality build complete with hard wood interior with bespoke design finishes throughout.

The Cavalier 45 Centre Cockpit Also known as a "Davidson 45" is well equipped and maintained, can be inspected in Melbourne Docklands area.

Designed by the legendary Laurie Davidson for NZ Export Yachts as a fast and safe blue water cruiser, this design and build has proven its self time and again. Not only does it have superb sailing performance and safety features but it is also sea kindly, forgiving and a very comfortable live aboard.

Built in NZ in 1988 to NZ Department of Transport Standards (PG/48/22H 23/7/1987) ensures a solid build and Ad Astra is fitted out in warm Burmese teak with NZ Kauri for the head lining and is carpeted throughout over solid timber finnish.

Ad Astra (to the stars) has a single level sole with capacity for 8 bunks or 6 bunks across 3 cabins plus 2 in the saloon.

The owners cabin is in the aft comprising of a double berth and private ensuite with shower
and a Sealand Vacuflush electric toilet, couch and ample storage.

The Forward cabin is a generous V berth with immediate access to another shower and Vacuflush toilet.

There is also a twin single berth cabin
forward and opposite the heads.

Clustered amidships, in an open plan, is the saloon, nav station and galley with a powerful automatic refrigeration system including a large freezer. The galley is a wrap around style with excellent storage, sockets, double sink and 3 fridge/freezers.

The saloon seats have lee cloths which makes them ideal sea berths. The saloon also has a flat screen TV and stereo system.

A Dometic front loading washing machine, Dometic condenser dryer, Cruiseair reverse cycle air conditioner, Eberspacher diesel heater and a Bauer dive compressor are built into the compartment starboard of the engine room.

A Searecovery 70 litre per hour automatic water maker is located under the starboard settee. These comprise the main domestic features and, as well as fans throughout, contribute to comfort in most climates.

Ad Astra has been set up for light handed sailing and can be managed entirely from the cockpit.

She is cutter rigged with both headsails on furlers and has electric genoa winches.

In 1999 the rigging was re-designed to optimise for higher speed cruising and the mast was replaced (from roller main), rig and mainsail were also fully replaced in favour of having a fully battened main. The rigging was re-rigged and new mainsail again in 2023. The Genoa is less than a decade old.

Additionally, she can be anchored from the cockpit as she is equipped with a Muir 560
Autoanchor and a reversible Maxwell Nilsson windlass.

Auxiliary power is provided by a Sole Mercedes OM616 diesel which has proved totally reliable and eceny serviced per the standard. The motor drives a 14" stainless Autostream feathering propellor and a 120 amp alternator regulated by a Balmar ARS5 multistage regulator.

Ad Astra also has a Fischer Panda 8KVA Genset.

The engine room has ample access, is fully insulated and equipped with a Seafire automatic fire extinguisher.

A Sidepower bow thruster is fitted which makes
getting into difficult Mediterranean moorings and marinas a breeze.

The navigation equipment is comprehensive and includes a Furuno radar, plotter and autopilot, Comar Class B AIS transponder, Raymarine VHF and the usual sailing instruments.

Furuno chart cards for much of the world are included. Both the Furuno plotter and VHF are dual station units operating from the nav station and the cockpit.

Ad Astra is intended to sail long distances light handed, she also has a Raymarine back up autopilot. Communications include a Barratt Marine radio and a Kenwood HF radio.

Stainless davits provide for the dinghy, also included. Alternatively, the dinghy can be stored on the foredeck.

Ad Astra has 3 outboards. 1 x 2 HP a stroke and a 4 stroke 15 HP Yamaha outboards and a 6hp 2 stroke. A crane is installed for the larger motor.

Ad Astra is set up to be both independent at sea and able to accept 110V 60 Hz shore power as well as 240V 50 Hz.

All equipment is able to function normally when alongside without running the genset no matter what power is taken onboard.

She has 4x100 watt solar panels mounted on the davits, ample battery capacity in the 6 AGM house bank, an 80 amp Mastervolt charger and a 1600 watt Mastervolt inverter.

Ad Astra is a safe and comfortable go any where cruiser. It is family friendly and able to be sailed short handed if required.

She has some exceptional gear and extensive spares.

She returned to Australia in 2019 after almost 12 years in the Pacific, SE Asia and Mediterranean. Refurbishment and maintenance has occurred during this period and after returning to Australia.

If this is your style of cruising then take a look. You will not be disappointed.

Recent maintenance:
- engine service December 2024.
- haul out, hull and fitting survey. Props and anodes service and replacements and antifowl. Dec 2023.
- boom service and in boom reefing lines replaced. February 2024.
- main sail new. December 2023.
- new speed, depth, wind speed and direction loggers and new B&G screens. December 2023.
- new rigging, mast service, new wires etc: 2022
- new and refurbished running rigging and new mast blocks. 2022.
- refrigeration service and re-gas. 2022.
- fire hydrants and systems 2022.
- electrical service 2022 and 2024.
- CAT 5 inspection and pass 2024.
- underway: hydraulic steering maintenance. Deck maintenance and refrigeration maintenance.

Note:
- the boat was valued at $245,000 in 2021/22.
- from 2022 to 2024 $65,000 has been spent on refurbishments and improving the asset standard. This provides improved value, less maintenance requirements and more value on the water, more time sailing less time managing.
- at the time of the advert more than 18 months are available at the current dock. Of which 6 months may be offered free of charge, this has a value of more than $7,000

Feel free to make an offer. Thanks for looking.