2004 ShearWater 45

AN AWARD-WINNING DUDLEY DIX BLUEWATER CUTTER, BUILT BY ACHESON & ROSS

Ariadne is a 2004 ShearWater 45, one of a select number built by Acheson & Ross to the acclaimed design of Dudley Dix. The ShearWater 45 was named "Best Traditional Voyager" and "Best Cruising Boat" in Cruising World magazine's 2001 Boat of the Year Awards, and reviewing the design in Yachting Monthly, James Jermain called her "a stunning looking boat with an impressive performance and delightful manners." Always the prettiest boat in any harbor, Ariadne is a classic beauty above the waterline and thoroughly modern below it.

The ShearWater 45 was conceived as a serious offshore cruiser, built as a hand-laid GRP sandwich using an Airex core in the hull and balsa core in the deck, over a moderately long fin keel with a lead casting bolted to a molded GRP sump stub. Ariadne carries the design's powerful cutter rig, set up with an inner forestay for a staysail alongside her Genoa, the configuration Dix drew for all-round offshore performance.

That offshore pedigree isn't theoretical. She was sailed from Cape Town to the Caribbean by a previous owner, who reported sailing through sustained winds of roughly 36 knots with gusts over 50 in a quartering sea. "The boat was magnificent," he wrote afterward, going on to log 11,000 offshore miles aboard her. It's the kind of real-world validation that matters for a design built to cross oceans, not just look good at the dock.

Ariadne herself is in excellent condition and extensively equipped, with a recent round of maintenance and upgrades covering her generator, engine ancillaries, climate control, and steering system — presented ready for her next owner to cruise with confidence.

•     Design by Dudley Dix, built by Acheson & Ross — Cruising World's 2001 "Best Traditional Voyager" and "Best Cruising Boat"

•     Hand-laid GRP sandwich construction — Airex-cored hull, balsa-cored deck — over a lead fin keel

•     Powerful cutter rig with inner forestay set up for a staysail; triple-spreader rig

•     Proven offshore pedigree, logged an ocean crossing and 11,000 bluewater miles

•     Teak decks of considerable thickness, glued down rather than screwed, no concern for underlying deck core

•     Yanmar 4JH3E 55hp diesel, 1,950 hours, with Aquadrive thrust bearing/bulkhead isolation

•     New generator, new engine fuel lines/starter/alternator, new Yanmar engine panel

•     New 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning and heat

•     New Lewmar steering pedestal, linkage, and autopilot

•     Full offshore electronics suite: Raymarine radar, autopilot, and instruments; ICOM SSB; Iridium-based SatLink for email, phone, and weather

•     Newer fully battened mainsail, newer genoa, and a near-new asymmetric spinnaker

•     Three-cabin layout with a spacious forward stateroom and a well-equipped navigation station

•     CE certified

Engine

Yanmar 4JH3E, 55 hp, inboard diesel w/ 1,950 hours. Aquadrive coupling with thrust bearing and bulkhead isolation for reduced noise and vibration. Recently fitted with new fuel lines, starter, alternator, and Yanmar engine panel.

Dimensions

LOA: 49 ft 1 in   |   LOD: 45 ft   |   LWL: 37 ft 5 in   |   Beam: 13 ft 1 in   |   Max Draft: 6 ft 2 in

Weights

Displacement: 27,550 lb

Tanks

Fuel: 1 stainless steel tank, 80 gal   |   Fresh Water: 2 stainless steel tanks, 140 gal total   |   Holding: 1 plastic tank, 14 gal

Accommodations

3 cabins, 1 head, sleeps 6 (2 twin berths, 1 V-berth, 2 double berths)

Quality construction and beautiful woodwork are evident throughout. Coming down the companionway, a single head with a separate shower stall is located to starboard, alongside a large double cabin with ample storage to port. The well-designed galley — with stove, oven, double sinks, refrigeration, and freezer — sits just forward of the aft cabin to port, across from a thoughtfully arranged navigation station equipped with both navigation and communication equipment. The salon features a U-shaped settee to port and a table with settee to starboard, with a large flat-screen TV mounted above the port settee. Forward, a considerably spacious stateroom offers a wide, comfortable berth and excellent storage lockers to both port and starboard.

•     Cutter rig, triple-spreader, set up for an inner forestay with staysail

•     Newer “Hydra Net” fully battened mainsail with Harken batten car system

•     Newer genoa; asymmetric spinnaker (like new); storm jib

•     Rigid boom vang; whisker pole

•     Harken roller furler, all lines led aft

•     Winch package: 2x Andersen 59 ST primaries, 2x Andersen 45 ST secondaries, 1x Andersen 45 ST furling winch, 2x Andersen 45 ST coach roof winches (one electric), 3x Andersen 45 ST mast winches

•     Lofrans Tigress electric windlass; new Rocna primary anchor; CQR secondary anchor with chain and rode

•     Teak decks of considerable thickness, glued down rather than screwed

•     Robust 1.5" stainless pushpit and pulpit; high bulwarks for sure-footed movement forward

•     Recently made full winter cover

•     Raymarine wind, depth, and speed instruments

•     Raymarine autopilot with spare computer on standby, two autopilot controllers linked to GPS navigation

•     Two Raymarine C-90W chartplotters

•     Recent Raymarine HD radar

•     ICOM SSB; Standard Horizon VHF/AIS; Garmin GPS; Navtex and MF radio

•     SatLink utilizing an Iridium device for email, phone, and weather

•     Sea ME electronic radar reflector

•     Xantrex inverter/charger; 660Ah house bank (lead-acid golf cart batteries)

•     New generator with 70 hours; new 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle AC and heat

•     Radio and DVD player; flat-screen TV

•     New Lewmar steering pedestal and linkage; new Lewmar autopilot; instrument NavPod at helm

•     Force 10 four-burner propane stove/oven; microwave

•     Front-loading refrigerator; top-loading freezer

•     Double stainless steel sink with Corian countertops and ample storage

•     Large head with electric macerating toilet and separate shower

•     Sink with Corian countertop in the head

Ariadne represents a rare opportunity to own an award-winning Dudley Dix design at an accessible price point. The ShearWater 45's combination of classic, admired lines and genuinely proven offshore capability — backed by Cruising World's Boat of the Year recognition and real bluewater mileage on sisterships — sets her apart from more common production cruisers in this size and price range. Recent investment in her generator, engine ancillaries, climate control, and steering system means she's ready to sail. For a buyer seeking a distinctive, capable cutter with genuine passagemaking credentials, Ariadne deserves a serious look.