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Full Production Now Underway in Turkiye with Completion of the First European Built Seawind 1170

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone in the evolution of Seawind Catamarans. Our brand-new production facility in Turkiye is not only up and running but has officially moved Read more about Full Production Now Underway in Turkiye with Completion of the First European Built Seawind 1170 […]

The Seawind 1170: Challenging the Notion that Bigger is Better for Bluewater Cruising

At 11.7 meters or just under 39 feet, the latest new model from Seawind Catamarans sits in a category many would write off as “too small” for true ocean passages. Read more about The Seawind 1170: Challenging the Notion that Bigger is Better for Bluewater Cruising […]

Seawind 1170 First Offshore Test Sail Report by CEO & Seawind Founder, Richard Ward

SKIPPER & CREW:              Stefan Malin ( Seawind Production Manager )                                                        Richard Ward ( Seawind CEO )                                                        Anh Duy ( Seawind QC Manager )                                                        Alparslan (Alpo) Tekogul ( Seawind Turkey Read more about Seawind 1170 First Offshore Test Sail Report by CEO & Seawind Founder, Richard Ward […]

Seawind 1370 Hull 1 Test Report by Skipper & Thailand Customer Service Manager, Phil Harper.

We all left with stories to tell that will undoubtedly grow and serve us well in years to come. But as we stepped off this all-new Seawind, I think we Read more about Seawind 1370 Hull 1 Test Report by Skipper & Thailand Customer Service Manager, Phil Harper. […]

Seawind Catamarans to open Production Facility and European Service Center in Izmir, Turkey.

New for 2023, Seawind Catamarans has established purpose built production facility dedicated to producing the brand new Seawind 1170 in the European market whilst offering a full Seawind Catamaran Service Read more about Seawind Catamarans to open Production Facility and European Service Center in Izmir, Turkey. […]

Beachability: Mini-keels or fixed rudders

If done correctly, mini keels with matching fixed rudders are the more practical option for the majority of sailors.  Underlying all of the other reasons is one major factor: simple Read more about Beachability: Mini-keels or fixed rudders […]

Sailing Butters and story of Atlantic crossing on the Seawind 1260 – November 2021

Sailing Butters blog began with two story tellers: Isabel and Marin, and their kid – Toni. Nurturing the dream of circumnavigating the world by sail boat, they started their journey Read more about Sailing Butters and story of Atlantic crossing on the Seawind 1260 – November 2021 […]

The Seawind 1600 Catamaran Nominated For Cruising World Boat of the Year 2022 Award

After the 2021 United States (Annapolis) Sailboat Show, the Seawind 1600 was inspected by the Cruising World judges for her nomination for the Boat of the Year 2022 award Seawind Read more about The Seawind 1600 Catamaran Nominated For Cruising World Boat of the Year 2022 Award […]

September Catchup with Seawind Community

What our Seawind Community has been up to? Whoosh! We are fast approaching final quarter of 2021. Time flies when you’ve gone sailing! We say goodbye to September with the Read more about September Catchup with Seawind Community […]

LIVE UPDATE: Seawind Catamarans at the Southampton Boat Show 2021

We are already one week into the Southampton International Boat Show 2021 and we’ve been having a blast, with a remarkable flow of visitors on the docks to see the Read more about LIVE UPDATE: Seawind Catamarans at the Southampton Boat Show 2021 […]

A woman’s perspective on choosing catamarans over monohulls

“Although we still prefer the looks of many monos, now I can’t imagine that we’ll ever want another boat, and certainly not a monohull!” by Christina Stam – Seawind 1160 Read more about A woman’s perspective on choosing catamarans over monohulls […]

Rig Tunning Guide

How to tun your rig – Seawind Catamaran While every Seawind is delivered with a well-tuned rig ready to go sailing, occasionally it will become necessary to adjust and tune Read more about Rig Tunning Guide […]

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BIG Seawind 1170 reveal from Tula’s Endless Summer

The BEST Catamaran you can buy for LESS than $500,000? [FULL TOUR SEAWIND 1160]

2021 SEAWIND & CORSAIR BRISBANE RALLY

BUILDING THE PERFECT CATAMARANS: FROM DREAM TO REALITY!

THINGS SHOULD NOT DO IN PLANNING A SAILING PASSAGE ON A CATAMARAN

Catamaran Docking Guide

Catamaran Engine Options: Outboards vs. Inboards

SEAWIND 1260 Full Tour by Sailing Ruby Rose – Part 2

Seawind 1260 Full Tour by Sailing Ruby Rose – Part 1

Seawind Key West Rally in Florida, USA

Seawind Catamarans – Baja Multihull Rally

Seawind Pittwater Regatta 2020

Seawind Owner’s Pittwater Regatta 2020

Racing the Seawind 1190 Sport at the Seawind Pittwater Regatta

Sailing The Seawind 1160 – Award-Winning Catamaran Under 40 Feet

Designing A Seawind – Celebrating 35-Year Anniversary

Essential Skills To Master Before You Go Cruising

Seawind 1160 in the Whitsunday Islands, AU

A Voyage Aboard the Seawind 1600

Seawind Catamarans Builder Interview with Shane Grover

Visiting The Seawind Catamarans Factory

Seawind 1370 Revealed – An Interview

Ruby Rose 2: The AMAZING Seawind 1370

Life On The Hulls – Catamaran Building

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Seawind 1170 first look: 39ft passagemaking catamaran

• Toby Hodges
• February 8, 2024

The newly launched Seawind 1170 is smaller than many new catamaran launches but should still prove a capable passagemaking multihull

Over the past few years Seawind has become increasingly well recognised for its quick cruising catamarans. This 39-foot Seawind 1170 retains key core elements, including relatively light displacement, plus twin aft helm stations with excellent protection and visibility.

There’s also a removable carbon sprit and a pair of windows in the hardtop to monitor sail trim. However, despite its potential to sail for extended periods at speeds above 10 knots, this is not intended as a boat that will be difficult or energetic to sail: a self-tacking jib is standard and the mainsheet traveller is mounted on the hard top, so doesn’t present a danger to anyone in the cockpit.

Despite being smaller than the existing 52ft Seawind 1600 Passagemaker and recent 45ft 1370 models, it’s still intended as a capable ocean cruising multihull , with bright and comfortable accommodation.

Article continues below…

Fareast 42C first look: full electric powered multihull

A comprehensive package from ePropulsion includes twin 20kW electric motors and control systems, while three different battery bank sizes offer…

First look: Ovnicat 48 aluminium multihull

It’s easy to assume that all rugged metal yachts are very heavy. While that was the case at one time…

The owner’s cabin in the port hull benefits from a queen size athwartships double berth that creates much more of a feeling of space than many catamarans of this size. Equally, the starboard forward guest cabin has a queen size bed, while there’s a smaller double to be found aft. Unusually, the galley is down in the starboard hull, leaving space for a full-width saloon with navstation.

A pair of big opening hatches in the front of the coachroof are supported on gas struts, while a tri-fold door that swings upwards to sit against the underside of the hard top creates a wide opening between cockpit and saloon.

A tri-fold door swings upwards out of the way to create a large opening between cockpit and saloon

Stowage on deck includes three large lockers at the front of the bridgedeck, plus further space under the seating in the aft cockpit.

Tankage is also generous at around 500lt for both fuel and water.

The first two prototype 1170s are already afloat, with one of them having been tested in 30-35 knots of head winds and waves of up to 4-5m waves. “Even though we were pushing it hard to test its limits,” designer and Seawind founder Richard Ward reported afterwards, “it felt strong and safe and very dry, even as we crashed off the back of the short, sharp waves.”

Production boats will be built at Seawind’s new factory in Izmir, Turkey, with the first expected to be afloat in mid 2024. This location, a modern city of five million people on the eastern shores of the Aegean, reflects the yard’s desire to capture more of the European market.

Seawind 1170 specifications

LOA: 11.90m 39ft 3in Beam: 6.50m 21ft 4in Draught: 1.20m 3ft 9in Displacement: 9,200kg 20,200lb Price: $US510,000 Builder: seawindcats.com

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BOAT REVIEW Seawind 1370

• Port hull dedicated to an owner’s suite
• Extensive sail plan
• With its lithium ion batteries, there’s no need for a noisy generator
• Easy to handle, rewarding to steer and trim

Catamarans in the 45-foot (13.7m) range, like this Seawind 1370, are the sweet spot for many boaters who want a bluewater cruiser. They have the load-carrying capacity but without the disadvantage of being overly large for marina berthing.

Australian company Seawind continues to produce capable cruising boats from its yard in Vietnam, and for 2024, its newly built yard in Turkey. The new premises have spurred a revamped range and a substantial increase in output. Seawind models range from the 52-foot 1600 to the 39-foot 1170. It’s the mid-range boats really pushing the brand’s popularity, both in this part of the world and in its largest overseas market, the USA. The standout has been the newly designed 1370 which has more than 70 orders as we go to press. For 2024, it is joined by the 39-foot 1170 which company owner Richard Ward has been evaluating. These two boats epitomise a new era for this 42-year-old company.

Sleek aesthetics with reverse bows, backed-up by lighter-weight infused construction and an extensive sail plan able to utilise the full wind spectrum, are among their attractions. As the order book shows, the company’s large and loyal userbase is keen to upgrade to these new models. I flew to Thailand, where the company has developed a base for factory handovers, to board an early production 1370. The new yard in Turkey also offers factory handovers in the Mediterranean.

First impressions Walking down the pontoon at Ocean Marina, an hour’s taxi ride from Bangkok airport on the Gulf of Thailand, rewarded me with my first sight of the 1370. It was hull number four, with the first hull, belonging to YouTubers Ruby Rose , lying nearby. Covid delayed these boats significantly, so it was good to finally see them. The setting is superb, so it was good to board the Seawind 1370 with dealer Brent Vaughan from Multihull Central in Sydney.

Sleek saloon The saloon is a busier space than in previous models because the company has adopted the fashionable galley-up arrangement. The starboard-side contains the U-shaped galley with the navigation station in front, where views are superb thanks to tall windows and generous headroom. The lounge doubles as a daybed, with bench seating wrapping around the elevating table. Opposite, nestled into the aft bulkhead, is the television. Quality finishes include Sunbrella coverings and polished, rounded solid wood joinery. Sloping bulkheads forward reduce windage and large, opening windows provide the essential airflow.

Owner’s suite The three-cabin layout dedicates the port hull for the owner’s suite, with two cabins and a bathroom between them to starboard. Privacy is one of the big pluses of catamarans, illustrated by the 1370’s portside owner’s suite and its athwartships island bed forward and bathroom in the stern. It’s a very pleasant area with the option for a small vanity or office space in between.

Tidy topsides Moving forward is easy on the 1370 thanks to wide, flat side decks and support from coachroof handrail and lifelines. The bow area is uncluttered with all systems in lockers, including the Maxwell vertical windlass with primary rode (80m of galvanised chain and a 66lb Excel anchor) running below the main crossbeam; there’s a secondary roller installed. There’s cleating all round, including amidships, but a wee bit undersized for my liking. The track for the self-tacking jib is yet another useful cruising feature of the 1370 – roll it out and once it’s set you can forget about it.

The big-topped mainsail fitted to the review boat is an upgraded Doyle Racing Laminate performance cruising cut with full battens, sitting in lazy jacks. Single line reefing, again all operated from the cockpit, finish off a functional sailplan. For off-the-wind running, big sail options include an asymmetric and screecher with bowsprit. Holding all this up are die-form wire outboard shrouds attached to substantial chain plates moulded into the gunwales and a single spreader alloy mast tube from All Yacht Spars in Brisbane. Infused GRP hulls are foam-cored for strength and inherent buoyancy, while the build has also been refined to include triaxial fibreglass cloth in key areas. The 1370 uses mini keels which protect the sail drives when beaching. Importantly, there’s ample bridgedeck clearance (0.85m) ensuring an easy motion – as long as you don’t overload it.

Sailing the Gulf of Thailand For me, racing in the Gulf of Thailand has for decades been one of life’s joys, but I had never taken the time to cruise there. I was looking forward to doing so on the Seawind 1370. Outside Ocean Marina, the horizon is dotted with islands to the west and to the south, and brooding peninsulas rolling all the way down to the Cambodian border. It’s a region of vast possibilities for the cruising sailor if they opt for a Seawind factory delivery in Thailand – like Sydney couple David and Olivia did. Motoring along with the Yanmars at cruising speed showed a nippy 7.3 knots at 1,700rpm.

Vindex 350 S

When the itch for another boat project required scratching a little over two years ago, de Fluiter decided that repurposing a Vindex 350 flybridge would be quicker than building another new boat.

Cora 48 Catamaran

Performance is modest, as expected for its power-to-weight ratio, but nearly 17 knots of speed was available when I used maximum throttle.

Beneteau First 44

Fifteen knots eased back to about 10 knots and the boat felt light on the helm, responding nicely to changes in wind pressure as they came through.

Buccaneer Five Seven Five

The spacious cockpit is uncluttered but has plenty of seating. The cockpit sole is covered in SeaDek. The bolster-equipped helm chairs are a decent size and proved comfortable even in the lumpy conditions we experienced.