C_H_2015_02_

56 Februar y 2015

boat review: Seawind

to replace additional cabinetry work.

The preponderance of white makes

this a light and airy interior throughout

the yacht, making the colourful

Sunbrella fabrics for the bedding and

seating jump out even more.

In the tested three cabin version

there are two queen sized beds in the

starboard hull and one in the port

hull with the boat's only head down

aft. The beds underneath the forward

bridge deck run either fore and aft

(starboard) or lateral (port), with the

other starboard aft. In the four cabin

version the head is in the middle of the

port hull with another queen berth aft.

The previous 1160 starboard forward

cabin had its own ensuite. This has been

removed and replaced with a walk-in

wardrobe and hanging locker.

To enhance the weight saving, Seawind

have taken advantage of a catamaran's

minimal heaving and yawing by

eliminating locker and cupboard doors.

The fiddlework is also low as they do not

need to double as handholds as much.

Some of the interior fittings, such as door

handles, appear cheap but I guess they

do not have to be as sturdy to cope with

excessive heel and slamming doors.

The galley is simple but effective

taking up the middle of the starboard

hull with open access to the main

saloon. It has its own opening hatch

for excellent cross saloon ventilation.

There is a three burner stove, which I

find indicates the builder is prepared to

go the extra where it counts. With both

sides of the hull to use there is plenty of

storage space around the double sink

and fridge/freezer unit.

I prefer the head placement aft in the

starboard hull on the three cabin version

as it means it is away from traffic and

the saloon area, offering better privacy.

It also provides better ventilation out the

stern. Both the four and the three head

includes seating in the shower recess

and give good elbow room for both the

shower and sitting on the potty.

All hull side hatches are large and

flush to the outer skin, the airflow is

excellent for tropical climes with bridge

deck sporting large opening windows.

The saloon, as with all Seawind

models, is huge and will easily seat

six around a vast table ready for a

tropical seafood feast. The saloon really

does make a Seawind special. It does,

however, leave no room for a separate

navigation station.

There are now three Seawind 1160

models to choose from: Deluxe, Sport

and Lite; each providing options

on sails, winches, galley fitout and

instrumentation. The Sport version

includes a really keen-looking screecher

along with a deep daggerboard.

Two interior layouts are available

for the Lite: the four cabin is suited for

chartering while the three cabin for

private owners with the owners cabin

taking up the port side hull.

Options packages give you a Coastal

Cruising package with can include

hot water system, transom shower,

extra Raymarine plotters, dinghy

davits, roller furling, BBQ and an

entertainment system. The Live Aboard

package includes much the same with

better window screens, upgraded

battery and winch power, solar panels

and more. The Performance package

increases the winch size to handle

the screecher and an upgraded sail

construction for more speed.

What is better

Now built in Vietnam after purchasing

Corsair Marine, Seawind catamarans

have been able to use the infused

vinylester resin construction technique

the speedy trimaran builder perfected.

By making the all important

crossbeam in light but incredibly strong

carbon fibre, the 1160 is guaranteed

continued strength with low weight.

While Seawind has sold many of its

boats to charter companies, giving an

indication of its durability, they have

also traversed the world under private

ownership as testament to its build

strength and design capability.

For the 1160 Lite the builder has

SPECIFICATIONS SEAWIND

Length (m): 11.9

Waterline (m): 11.3

Beam (m): 6.5

Draft (m): .96

Displacement (kgs): 6500

Base boat price (AU$): 435,000

Review boat courtesy Multihull Central

http://www.multihullcentral.com

LEFT: Port

hull owners

cabin: spartan

maybe, comfy

definitely.

OPPOSITE

PAGE: The

galley in the

port hull shows

how light it is

and the access

to the main

saloon.

The three cabin version as

tested from Multihull Central.