2010 Matrix Vision 450 "Sea Bird"

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  • Year: 2010
  • Model: Vision 450
  • Class: Sailing Catamaran
  • Cabins: 4
  • Heads: 3.5
  • Length: 45ft
  • Draft: 3ft 9in
  • Beam: 24ft 4in
  • Engine: Yanmar x 2
  • Power: 29hp each
  • Hours: Prt 300, Stbd 4900

Overview

2010 Vision 450 Catamaran by Matrix Yachts – “Sea Bird”

Embark on a journey of luxury and performance with this unique 2010 Vision 450 Catamaran by Matrix Yachts. Located in Merritt Island, Florida, “Sea Bird” is a meticulously maintained vessel designed for adventurers who refuse to compromise on comfort. Ideal for blue water cruising and circumnavigation, this catamaran is ready to take you wherever your heart desires.

Propulsion

  • Engines: 2, Yanmar 29 hp diesel engines. Starboard engine has 4,900 hours, and port
    engine has 300 hours. Both heat exchangers were replaced one year ago.

Tankage:

  • Diesel: 200 gallons
  • Fresh Water: 120 gallons
  • Waste: 24 gallons

Electrical & Navigation

  • Alternators: Equipped with dual 200-amp alternators on each engine, managed by Balmer
    charge controllers to ensure efficient power distribution and battery charging.
  • Solar Power: 4 Victron solar controllers handle the output from 8 solar panels, delivering a total of 2,000 watts of solar power.
  • Inverter/Charger: The 5,000-watt Victron Quattro inverter/charger provides ample power
    for all onboard systems, including the capability to run the water maker.
  • Batteries: 1,200 amps of lithium batteries by Relion at 12 volts ensure long-lasting and
    reliable power storage.
  • Navigation Systems: Raymarine systems at the helm featuring wind hold, route follow, and heading hold autopilot. Depth Finder, Wind Speed/Heading Indicators.

Sails and Rigging

  • Main Sail: 1-year-old main sail in excellent condition.
  • Code Zero: 1-year-old red code zero sail on a continuous line furler.
  • Jib: In good condition, ready for various wind conditions.
  • Spinnaker: A Symmetric spinnaker with a sock for easy handling.

Water Systems

  • Water Maker: 50 GPH Sea Recovery Aquamatic water maker with a remote control panel at the nav desk. Membranes are 2 years old, and spare primary filters are included.

Accomodation

  • Cabins: 4
  • Heads: 3.5

Additional Equipment

  • Anchor Windlass: Switch at the helm allows for dropping or raising the anchor from the
    helm station.
  • Anchor: 33kg Rocna anchor with a Matus swivel and 3/8 chain rode.
  • Hurricane Tested: Rode out Hurricane Nicole in Charleston Harbor with zero issues,
    sustaining gusts up to 39 knots.
  • Generator: 6kW Northern Lights generator for additional power needs.
  • Dinghy: 13-foot AB dinghy powered by a 30 hp 2-stroke Yamaha engine.
  • Davit System: Stainless steel davit with a dedicated electric winch for easy dinghy handling.

“Sea Bird” is not just a yacht; it’s a statement of luxury, performance, and self-reliance. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a global voyage, this Vision 450 Catamaran is prepared and ready to exceed your expectations. Experience the ultimate blend of performance and comfort with the 2010 Vision 450 by Matrix Yachts.

For more information or to schedule a viewing, please contact me at 321-505-4137

 

Your dream adventure awaits!

Matrix Yachts Vision 450 – History, Specifications & Overview

Matrix Yachts is a South African luxury catamaran builder known for combining high-end craftsmanship with charter-inspired design. Their Vision 450 model is a 45-foot sailing catamaran that reflects the company’s philosophy of “mega yacht” standards in a mid-sized package. Below, we present a detailed overview of Matrix Yachts’ history, the Vision 450’s specifications, construction, innovative design features, and how it compares in the market.

History of Matrix Yachts

Matrix Yachts was founded in 2001 in Cape Town, South Africa by Peter and Fiona Wehrley (later joined by their son, Mark). The Wehrleys were seasoned charter yacht operators in the Caribbean, and their hands-on experience shaped the company’s vision. When they found no existing catamaran met their needs for a larger, more luxurious charter vessel, Peter – a former structural engineer – and Fiona decided to design and build their own yacht. The result was the Silhouette 760, a 22m (≈76 ft) catamaran launched in 2006 that earned awards and recognition in the industry. Originally intending to build just one boat for their charter business, they “accidentally” became boatbuilders after the first Silhouette 760 sold immediately and new orders came in. 

Building on this success, Matrix Yachts expanded its range. The Vision 450 was developed to bring the same luxury and quality of the 760 to a smaller platform, aimed at both private owners and charter fleets. First introduced around 2010 (debuting at the Annapolis boat show), the Vision 450 benefited from the Wehrleys’ charter experience and commitment to high standards. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Matrix Yachts maintained a boutique production, focusing on custom builds like the Silhouette 760, Vision 450, and a day-charter model (the Mirage 760). The company’s philosophy has always been to deliver luxury, space, and performance in equal measure, which has made their catamarans distinctive in the market

General Model Specifications

The Matrix Yachts Vision 450 is a 45-foot (13.7 m) sailing catamaran with a beam of 7.4 m (24′3″), giving it a spacious platform. Designed by Peter Wehrley, it has a moderate draft of about 1.15 m (3′9″) with fixed mini-keels, balancing performance with easy shoal draft access. 

Key specifications include:

  • Length Overall (LOA): 14.30 m (46′11″)
  • Beam (Width): 7.40 m (24′3″)
  • Draft: ~1.15 m (3′9″) (fixed keels for beachability)
  • Displacement (Light): ~11.0 tons (24,250 lbs)
  • Mast Height: 19.0 m (62′4″) above water
  • Sail Area: 74 m² fully-battened mainsail; 42 m² furling genoa. (An optional 76 m² gennaker adds downwind power)
  • Engines: Twin 30 hp Yanmar diesel engines (2× 30 HP) for reliable motoring.
  • Fuel Capacity: ~400 liters (105 US gallons) across twin tanks, offering around 390 nm motoring range in calm conditions.
  • Fresh Water Capacity: ~450–500 liters (approx 120 US gallons) in two tanks, ensuring ample supply for extended cruises (with many owners also fitting watermakers).
  • Layout: Available in a 4-cabin, 4-head layout (each cabin with its own en-suite bathroom), or a 3-cabin owner’s version that dedicates one hull to a master suite. It comfortably sleeps 8 adults in queen-size berths.

These specifications position the Vision 450 squarely in the mid-size cruising catamaran class. With its generous beam and substantial sail area, it achieves a favorable sail-area-to-weight ratio for spirited sailing performance, while the engine setup and tankage are well suited for long-range cruising and charter utility.

Manufacturing and Construction

All Matrix Yachts, including the Vision 450, were built in Cape Town, South Africa, a region known for high-quality catamaran production. The Vision 450 is constructed with an emphasis on strength, durability, and weight-savings using advanced composite techniques. The hulls and decks are built with vacuum-bagged sandwich construction, employing PVC foam core and fiberglass skins. Different core materials are used strategically in the structure for optimal performance and strength: balsa core in less critical areas like some lockers, high-density foam in the bridgedeck and coachroof for stiffness, and lightweight honeycomb panels in interior furnishings and doors to reduce weight. This method yields a stiff yet lightweight vessel, contributing to both speed under sail and fuel efficiency under power.

The lamination process likely uses high-grade polyester or vinylester resins and is done by skilled craftsmen – a point of pride for Matrix Yachts. Builder Peter Wehrley’s background as a structural engineer ensured that each Vision 450 was “built to do things better than what our competition might be doing”, adhering to the same rigorous standards as their 76-foot mega-catamaran. All structures were fabricated with precision and quality control in mind, as the company was not a mass-production yard but a custom builder focusing on excellence. Components like bulkheads and stringers are integrated solidly, and the underbody features robust sacrificial mini-keels (instead of daggerboards) which protect the hulls and allow the catamaran to be beached for maintenance if needed.

Finishing and fit-out are done to “mega yacht standards”, meaning the interior joinery and hardware are top-tier. Matrix employed fine woods (the Vision 450’s interior is often finished in rich cherry wood cabinetry) and quality fixtures. Notably, cork flooring was used in at least one build as an eco-friendly, non-slip alternative, though owners can customize finishes. Each yacht was essentially semi-custom, allowing personalization while maintaining the core structural and design elements. The construction process culminates in a yacht that feels solid and safe for ocean voyaging; indeed, new Vision 450s were delivered from South Africa to global clients on their own bottoms, proving their build quality on significant open-ocean passages.

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