Rescuing a Matrix 27 Sailboat

Last Wednesday, 25 June 2008, we launched our 27' 1987 Matrix Marine sailboat from Channel Islands Boatyard where she had been dry docked since August. We bought this boat from Catalina Yacht Anchorage without ever seeing her in the water, knowing how she'd sail or whether the auxiliary diesel engine would start. The boat had been neglected for many months and it was a real gamble for us. Fortunately for us, the single cylinder 1GM Yanmar motor started right up, she didn't take on any water, and she sailed well during our initial seatrial!!!

Here's a link to some pictures that we took of her at the boatyard and in our new slip at Anacapa Isle Marina in Channel islands Harbor, CA USA.


This Matrix '27 was previously named "Avocet." We plan to re-name her "Julianne" following a proper re-naming protocol. She was built by a local Ventura county engineer named Lou Nagy back in 1987. We believe that she has always been located in Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors. Lou designed her to be a trailerable off-shore cruiser. She's a very well built boat with a solid hull, strong rigging with all controls led to the cockpit, and accommodations for five in the cabin. He said that this was the first Matrix 27 built. Lou made one other copy of this which was sold to Jim Hahn on the East coast of the US (see Comment 1).

The original owner of this boat thought that it had too much weather helm. Consequently, Lou modified it by adding a wing to the keel and enlarging the rudder. Here are pictures of modified the rudder and wing keel.

I decided to post this blog since I couldn't find any other information about this wonderful boat on the Internet. I recently met with Lou at his office and he provided me with a wealth of information on the Matrix 27. I'll post much of that information on this blog. Hopefully someone will find this to be of interest.