OK, I found that the logo that I thought looked like a CL or OL is actually a stylized lower case a.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6835
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Damon Linkous
DamonLinkous wrote: Since this topic is actually about the Matrix 5.5 I've updated the Matrix Identification album with some better/larger pics.
Would the original Matrix hulls have been infused with a solid maroon-color resin—inside and out?
😕
...continued...
(Maroon, like my "Unknown-make" catamaran, which was sold to me as an one example of seven daggerboard models manufactured by the Matrix people).
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Today, just found a photo taken of my cat—straight-on from the bow. :-O
Anyone recognize a similar profile—elsewhere—in the Universe of catamarans? 😕
Hi, I'm new here, haven't sailed in 20+ years, but was poking around looking for info on the Matrix.
I had 2 of them in the early 80s, one I purchased after it had been "axe murdered" in some sort of deal gone wrong $400 with a galvanized trailer. Less than $100 got it seaworthy. The second one, I bought 2 hull skins from Buddy and finished them off myself. Gave it an 8½' beam and put NACRA 5.2 sails on it. Both were great boats, smooth and fast.
There was a guy in Ormond, Fred Zimmer who did a bit of experimentation with his. He worked at a ride concession on the beach. He took his own Matrix and cut off the skegs and did some other modifications.
I had back issues and eventually sold the Matrix and got a Dart which was light and easier to sail, especially singlehanded, but I really enjoyed the Matrix more.
I'll look through my photos and try to get some up. I may still have a sales brochure. If I find it, I'll scan it.
Here's a pic from 80 or 81 from the local newspaper.
Thanks for the memories!
I had a 1979 Matrix - the only cat I ever owned and sailed it in mostly at Lake Conroe near Houston. Did see some use on gulf bays and several other lakes in TX and AR. At the time, the wife & I were fearless (dumb) and lived for the storms coming across Lake Conroe. Big wind, big waves, big lightning - no sense at all. That boat could handle it. Turtled it several times before someone said "the mast rivet holes and anywhere water can get in need to be filled with silicone". Much more fun when you get blown over and don't have to get a power boat to right you. I did break a mast at the spreader and a rudder about halfway up from bottom. The pith-like fiber fill had no strength - relied on the glass covering. I can't remember how I fixed it; but it was something close to a whole remake. Put a new main on it and sailed it a few more years - wish I had kept it longer - sold it in the mid-80's. Really loved the look of the hulls and no DBs to deal with. Used to trailer it to a marina that had their entire waterfront peninsula (probably 1000') concreted into a boat ramp shape. We could launch and leave the trailer in the water, sail as much as we wanted, and sail it right back up on the trailer. A lot of fun and no gas expense. I don't think I have any pics of it though.
rbarlow wrote: I had a 1979 Matrix - the only cat I ever owned and sailed it in mostly at Lake Conroe near Houston. ...
Hello rbarlow, Welcome to TheBeachcats.com! Time to get back into beachcat sailing. 🙂
If you ever come across pictures of your Matrix, please share them here.
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Damon Linkous