Vision 444 - Key West Boat Show

 Key West Boat Show and Additional Information on the Vision Yachts 444

Summary

We had a great trip down to Key West (okay, actually it was the next island up; Stock Island). The Stock Island Marina Village and adjoining Perry Hotel are absolutely beautiful.  If you are in the area and need a place to stay (and have the means!), it is a great resort.  We were fortunate in that we booked it early for the event and got the room at 1/3 the price it was the week leading up to the boat show.  Admittedly, it was Spring Break, so that may be their peak price for the year for all I know.

We had spoken to Tommy and Amy from Sail Away Catamarans a few times before the event and even had a chance to speak with Thomas and Terri, the owners of Kon-Tiki ahead of time too.  What an absolutely great group of people!

Additional Information

Our video walkthroughs on YouTube(Episode #1-Inside and Episode #2-Outside) are being watched a lot and I had a few questions that are just too hard to answer in the comments section of the videos, so I created this part of the blog post to include that additional information.  Expect me to keep adding to this post as additional questions are asked.

Boat Performance

A questions was asked by YouTube user Ted VdMerwe about the boat's performance.

Given the situation and the number of people on the boat, I didn't get to see that aspect as much as I wanted, however I can say we got up to 8 kts easily and consistently under sail with non-optimized sails, an extra 2000lbs of human mass on the boat and low period 2 ft chop close to land.  Here is the polar diagram, as provided by Vision Yachts:

List of Standard Features

There was a question posted on Part 2 of the video about the price point of the Vision Yachts 444 compared to the Seawind 1370 (another beautiful boat).  That user felt the Vision Yachts priced out $150K more than the Seawind, however if you actually build out the Seawind to have the same feature-set as the standard feature set of the 444, the 444 actually has the best price by over $100K.  Now, if you want a bare-bones boat, you may in fact be able to get a better price point from the 1370, however, if you kit out a boat as most full-time cruisers would, you are going to want everything that comes standard on the 444.

Here is the document provided by Vision Yachts so anyone interested can compare for themselves (note these were considered standard when the document was emailed to me in December, I'm sure there are up to change as the boat evolved, etc):

• Hull, Deck, Bulkheads and Furniture
  
• All Components are Vacuum Resin Infused
• Crystic Vinyl Ester Resins Used Throughout
• Foam Core Infused
• Crystic Spray Gelcoats
• Hull Sprayed
• Vacuumed Foam Sandwich Furniture Components
• Furniture is Structurally Bonded to Hull
• All Lockers Painted Out with Grey Polyester Topcoats
• Steering System
  
• Composite Rudders
• 60.3mm Stainless Steel Rudder Shafts, Solid Section Through
• Hull
• Ertalon Rudder Bushes
• L & S Hydraulic Steering
• 1 X Stainless Steel Wheel with Edson Locking Hub
• Emergency Steering
• Ackermann Angle in Steering Geometry Ensures Laminar
• Flow at all Steering Angles
• Propulsion
  
• o 2 X 38HP Nanni Diesels with 24V 75amp house bank charging
  alternator and 12V 120amp Alternator starter battery
  charging
• 2 X Nanni Diesel Primers Built in
  
• 2 X Nanni Built-in Engine Oil Extractor Pumps
• 2 X ZF Sail Drives with Anodes
  
• 2 X Feathering 3 blade Propellers
  
• 2 X Engine Room Extraction Fans
  
• 20mm Sound Proofing Sheets with Gelcoat Covers
  
• 2 X Single Diesel Filter / Water Separator
  
• 2 X Engine Room Lights
  
• 2 X Bilge Pumps
  
• 2 X Remote Fire Extinguisher System
  
• Easy Access Under Bunks with Support Arm with Work Seat
  
• Tool Kit in Each Engine Room
  
• Level Floor in Engine Room
  
• Fuel
  
• 2 X Composite Fuel Tanks
• 2 X Fuel Line Gravity Feed
• o 2 X Inspection Hatches
  
• o 2 X Deck Filler Direct onto Tanks
  
• o 2 X Manual Dip Stick System
  
• o 2 X Tank Drains / Sumps
  
• o 2 X Wema Tank Senders
  
• Water
  
• o 2 X Composite Water Tanks
  
• o 2 X Water Maker Feed Ports
  
• 2 X Deck Fillers
  
• 2 X Inspection Hatches
  
• 2 X Twin V-Flow Jabsco Water Pumps
  
• 2 X Wema Tank Senders
  
• 2 X 30L Quick Water Heaters 220V or 110V with Engines Heat
  Exchanger Connection
• Glazing
  
• Toughened Glass with 2 X Hatches in Centre Windows
  
• Single Leaf sliding Cockpit window
• Single Leaf Aluminum Sliding Saloon Door
  
• 10 X Perspex Hull Windows with 8 Flush Mount Port Lights
  
• Winches
  
• 4 X 46ST Electric Winches
  
• 2 X Winch Handles
  
• 2 X Winch Handle Pockets
  
• Main Sheet System
  
• Main Sheet Bridle System
  
• 2 -1 Harken Main Sheet Blocks
  
• 3 X Spinlock Deck Organizers
  
• Spinlock XTS Clutches
  
• Self-Tacking System
  
• Harken Jib Traveler System
  
• 3m Harken Traveler Track
  
• 2 X Harken Car Stops
  
• Harken Block and Car
  
• Spinlock Deck Organizers
  
• Spinlock XTS Clutches
  
• Spinnaker System
  
• 2 X Bow Pad Eyes for Blocks
  
• 1 X Retractable Bow Sprit with Dynema Sea Stays
  
• Mast, Boom, Fore Beam
  
• Complete Sailing Rig Package
  
• Mast
  
• Boom
  
• Antal Batten Car Slider System
  
• Standing Rigging
  
• Running Rigging
  
• Navigation Lights
  
• Steaming Lights
  
• Tri-Colour Mast Light
• Deck Light
  
• Courtesy Flag Halyards
  
• VHF Antenna
  
• Windex
  
• Radar Bracket
  
• Cross Beam
  
• Compression Post (Catwalk)
  
• Ulman Sails
  
• Endurance Cross Cut Dacron
  
• Fully Battened Main Sail
  
• Roller Furler Jib with UV Strip
  
• Stack Pack
  
• Sail Bags
  
• 2 X Forward Trampoline
  
• Deck Gear
  
• 8 X Horn Cleats
  
• 10 X Stanchions with 5mm Guard Wire
  
• 2 X Midship Gates
  
• 2 X Composite Davits
  
• 2 X SZ 54 Escape Hatches
  
• 2 X SZ 70 Hatches
  
• 2 X SZ 50 Hatches
  
• 2 X SZ 30 Hatches
  
• 4 X Fore Deck Lazarette Hatches
  
• Light Grey Embossed EVA Decking on all Flat Deck Areas
  
• Teak brushed EVA decking in cockpit and sugar scoops
  
• 7 X Composite Cockpit Storage Hatches
  
• Electronics – GARMIN
  
• 8412 GPS Chart plotter/Radar at Helm
• 48NM GMR 18” HD Radar
  
• GHP Reactor, Mechanical Retrofit Core Pack
  
• Garmin Class B Drive Unit
  
• G Wind, GND 10, WSI Box, GMI 20, DST800 Bundle
  
• GMI 20
  
• VHF 315i AIS 800 Black – 4” Screen-DCS-AIS with Remote
  
• Electrical
  
• Blue Nova Lithium Ion 620Amp/h @ ~24V (16KWH) Batteries (4 units)
  
• 2 X 12V 75Amp Starter Batteries
  
• 2 X 24V 75amp Charging Alternators factory fitted by Nanni
  
• Marine Lights
  
• LED Lighting
  
• AC/DC Circuit Breakers
  
• DC Switching Panel
  
• Isolator Switches
  
• Dual Voltage Shore Power System
  
• Victron Multiplus
  
• Victron Isolation Transformer
  
• Tin PVC Wire with Proper Termination and Coding
  
• Courtesy Lights on Transom Steps
  
• Courtesy Lights Down Interior Stairs
  
• Saloon Red Light
  
• LED Cabin Lights
  
• LED Saloon Lights
  
• LED Mood Lighting
  
• 2 X 12V Plug Points (USB)
  
• 7 X 220V or 110V Plug Points with USB Charging
  
• Dimmer Light Controls in Saloon and Cabins
  
• 4 X Smoke Detectors
  
• Gas
• BEP Gas Monitoring Systems
  
• Gas Solenoids
  
• Gas Detectors
  
• Gas Pressure Gauge
  
• 2 X 9kg Composite Gas Cylinder
  
• Manual Shut off under Stove
  
• Plumbing
  
• 3 X Techma Comfort Electric Toilets
  
• 3 X Built-in Toilet Macerator Pumps
  
• 2 X Jabsco Vflow Water Pumps
  
• 1 X Jabsco Saltwater Deck wash pump
  
• 3 X Jabsco Gulper Shower Waste Pumps
  
• 2 X Black Water Tanks
  
• 6 X Rule 1100L/PHR Bilge pumps
  
• Interior
  
• Modern Contemporary Design
  
• Woka Waxed Oil Finishes on all Solid and Veneer Wood
  
• 2K Sprayed Gloss Units and on White Doors
  
• Upholstered Headboards with Reading Lights
  
• Lightweight Vinyl Cladding on Ceiling and Vertical Areas with
  Fabric Textures and Colours to Suit
  
• Slightly Textured Painted Surfaces on Walls
• Various Options for Sunbrella Upholstery Material and
  Leather
  
• Ocean Air Screens on Hatches
• Modern Synthetic Hard-Wearing Flooring
  
• Port and Starboard Mid Ship System Lockers
  
• All Pumps and Through Hull Skin Fittings Located in this
  Locker
• Aircon Shelf
• Blackwater Tank
  
• Manual Bilge Pump
  
• Automatic Bilge Pump
  
• Water Strainers
  
• Tank Breathers
  
• Deck Fillers
  
• Non-Return Valves
  
• Strum Boxes
  
• Manifolds
  
• Cabin Forward Port Side
  
• 1 X Forward Cabin
  
• Queen Size Island Bed
  
• 1 X Hanging Cupboard
  
• Clothes Shelf Cupboards
  
• 1 X En-suite Head White Finish
  
• 1 X Electric Toilet
  
• 1 X Basin with Mixer Faucet
  
• 1 X Shower Head with Hot/Cold Lever Control
  
• 1 X Goiot Escape Hatch in Head
  
• 1 X Glass Shower Door
  
• Upholstered Headboard
  
• 2 X Headboard Reading Lights
  
• 2 X Ceiling LED Down Lighters
  
• 1 X Air Conditioner Outlet with Louvered Vent
  
• Cabin Aft Port Side
  
• 1 x Aft Cabin
  
• Queen Size Bed
  
• 1 X Upholstered Headboard
  
• 2 X Headboard Reading Lights
  
• 1 X Hanging Cupboard
  
• 2 X Clothes Cupboards
• 1 X Aft-facing Port Light
  
• 2 X Ceiling LED Down Lighters
  
• 1 X Air Conditioner Outlet with Louvered Vent
  
• 1 X En-suite Head White Gloss Finish
  
• 1 X Electric Toilet
  
• 1 X Basin with Faucet Mixer
  
• 1 X Showerhead with Hot/ Cold Lever Control
  
• 1 X Showerhead
  
• Owners Cabin Starboard
  
• Queen Size Bed
  
• Upholstered Headboard
  
• 2 X Headboard Reading Lights
  
• 1 X Air Conditioner Outlet with Louvered Vent
  
• Ceiling Panels
  
• 2 X Ceiling LED Down Lighters
  
• Aft-facing Port Light
  
• Midships Cupboards
  
• Privacy Door Between Cabin and Saloon
  
• Extra Grab Handles Where Needed
  
• En-suite Head White Gloss Finish
  
• 1 X Toilet
  
• 1 X Wash basin with Faucet
  
• 1 X Showerhead with Hot/Cold Control Lever
  
• 1 X Shower Seat
  
• 1 X Glass Shower Door
  
• Starboard Forward Cabin
  
• Workbench with Bench Vice
  
• Heavy Duty Rubber Worktop
  
• 8 X Storage Lockers
• Heavy Duty Rubber Flooring
  
• 1 X 110/220V AC Socket with USB
  
• 1 X Goiot Escape Hatch
  
• Galley
  
• 1 X Glem 4 Plate Gas Hob
  
• 1 X Glem Gas Oven
  
• 1 X 160L Frigoboat Fridge water cooled
  
• 1 X 110L Frigoboat Double Draw Freezer water cooled
  
• 1 X Double composite Sink
  
• 1 X Hot/Cold Freshwater Faucet
  
• 1 X Saltwater Faucet
  
• 2 X 220V or 110V Double Plug Socket
  
• Overhead Locker against Aft Bulkhead
  
• 3 X Galley Counter with Stainless Steel Railings
  
• Sliding Galley to Cockpit Window
  
• Microwave Oven
  
• Saloon
  
• Saloon seating in Leather
  
• Batteries under Saloon Seating
  
• Wood Finish Saloon Table on Drop-down Pedestals
  
• Forward Facing Navigation Systems Station
  
• 10 X LED Down Lights
  
• 2 X Air Conditioner Outlets with Louvered Vent
  
• Helm Station
  
• Bulkhead Helm
  
• Binnacle Compass
  
• 2 X Rope Bins
  
• 2 X Person Helm Chair
  
• Helm Chair Cushions
  
• Composite Helm Shade Top with Stainless Legs
  
• Cockpit
• 2 X Side Access Doors (Unique to the Vision 444)
  
• 4 X Sliding Safety Bars in Sugar Scoops with Screw Locking
  
• 2 x transom wash boards
  
• 1 x fish filleting board plus BBQ stand
  
• Teak table cover
  
• Full Cover Hard Top Bimini
  
• Sliding Overhead Hatch to Port Side Cut out
  
• Hose Pipe and Shore Power Storage Locker
  
• Weber Aluminium Gas BBQ
  
• Cockpit Cooler box Built into Seat
  
• Hot/Cold Transom Shower
  
• Saltwater Deck Wash with 25m Coil Hose
  
• 1 X Telescopic Transom Ladder
  
• 1 X Transom Ladder Removable Swimming Pool Style
  
• Anchoring, Mooring and Tender
  
• Quick 1500W Windlass with toggle switch at helm and twofoot switches
  
• 33kg Rocna Anchor
  
• Anchor Bridle
  
• Rubber Protection Matt in Anchor Locker
  
• Copper coat anti foul
  
• Prop speed on sail drives and props
  
• 100m Chain to Suit Windlass
  
• 4 X Fenders
  
• 4 X 6m Dock Lines Spliced
  
• 4 X 10m Dock lines Spliced
  
• 2 X Davits
  
• Safety CAT A Equipment
  
• 5 X Fire Extinguishers
  
• Vinyl lettering and boat name
• 1 x 8-man Viking life raft
  
• 1 x Eprib
  
• 2 X Manual Hand Operated Bilge Pumps
  
• Jon-Buoy Self-Inflating System
  
• 4 x standard Life Jackets
  
• 4 x Auto inflate PFD’s with built in harness
  
• Flashlight
  
• Rigging Cutting Tool
  
• Lifelines
  
• Cockpit Harness Attachment Points
  
• 1 X Orange Smoke Flare
  
• 4 X Red Handheld Flare
  
• 4 X Red Rocket Flare
  
• Radar Reflector
  
• Watertight Capsize Bottle
  
• Space Blankets
  
• First Aid Kit
  
• Spares
  
• Tools
  
• Orange ID Sheet
  
• Signaling Mirror
  
• Handheld Compass
  
• Sound Signaling Device
  
• Code “N” & “C” Flags
  
• 2 X Black Balls
  
• Soft Wooden Bungs
  
• Emergency Nav Lights
  
• Launching, Commissioning, Hand Over
  
• Launching at Knysna Yacht Club Slipway
  
• Stepping of Mast by Sparcraft Masts
  
• Commissioning of Sails by Ulman Sails
• Commissioning of all Components
  
• Sea Trials and Training in and around Knysna
  
• Hand Over to Client in Knysna