Sailboat Review: Vision 444

A victorious vision

December 14, 2023

Side view of Vision 444ES Catamaran - Moonstruck Sailing on the Knysna Lagoon with full sails up

Vision 444 (13 m): from South Africa, a catamaran that breaks the mold

June 21, 2024

Sailboat Review: Vision 444

The Vision 444 wins 2024 Cruising World Boat of the Year : Cruising Catamaran under 50ft.

New 450	Old 450
Resin infused	Hand layup
Much lighter	Approx 2 ton heavier
Much stronger	Approx 30% less
Mono structure molding	Open molding exposed to elements
Vinyester through out	80% polyester resin
Diab PVC foam throughout	Balsa, Nidacore and foam mix
No ply reinforcing only composite	Ply used for reinforcing
New cockpit better space use	Small and out dated
Better storage in new cockpit	Limited storage
New cockpit safer when at sea	Old cockpit exposed
New cock pit removable table	Fixed table
Better davit system and stronger	Not the most practical system
Cockpit seats double up as sunbeds	Limited to sitting
New bimini top sleeker	Old school
Better at anchor in the rain	More exposed
Less windage	More windage
Better helm configuration	Not well thought out
Better rope management	No rope management
Better access to controls	Awkward winch operation
Shorter mast lower center gravity	Higher center gravity
Better shade coverage in cockpit	Higher bimini hard to get shade
Easier to close in totally	Not so easy and more windage
Double access sliding hatches in roof	Single
Better view of main sail port and strb	Strb only
Better 360 view for night watch	Limited
New modern contemporary interior	Old wooden dark interior
Compilation of wood and painted	All wood
Light weight strong counter tops	Old heavy carrion tops
Engine moved forward shaft drives	Engines aft sail drives
Safer when at sea	Very exposed at sea
Easier to work on more	Space Very confined area
New modern square head	Main Old type round rouch
Continuous line reefing	Standard reefing
Better winch positions for spinnaker	Very awkward positions
New and better deck fittings	The industry norm