NEW CATS - Countdown to 100th Seawind 1160 launch
In July 2004, the first Seawind 1160 was presented to the world at the Sydney International Boat Show. Now in 2011 the 100th Seawind 1160 is soon to be launched, which sets to mark a huge milestone for the company and will secure the Seawind 1160’s place in Australia’s boatbuilding history.
After two years in development and much anticipation, the launch of the Seawind 1160 some seven years ago was met with great enthusiasm and excitement from both the media and the boat-buying public, with countless remarks about the innovative layout and configuration, said the boatbuilder.
“What followed was extraordinary, with over 20 boats being sold within the first two months of it being on the water, booking out production for more than 12 months with the first production run starting off in December 2004,” said Seawind. “Hull number three was exported to the USA, where it debuted at the Miami boat show and again was welcomed with an overwhelmingly positive reception with more orders taken for the coming year.”
According to the company, in the years following the Seawind 1160 racked up more awards than probably any other production catamaran in the world, by winning the Australian Sailboat of the Year, Cruising World Magazine’s Best Multihull Cruiser and Most Innovative Sailboat of the USA, Best Sailboat of the Newport Boat Show, Australian Consumer Product of the Year (Endeavour Manufacturing Awards 2007) and nominated as a Top Ten Boat by SAIL Magazine. I
“Innovative design, excellent use of space and natural light down below, performance and manufacturing techniques were highlighted contributing factors behind the awards,” said Seawind.
“One of the world’s leading engineering firms, High Modulus, was employed to help develop tooling for efficient production but gain maximum strength. A five-mould system was then developed with lightweight foam sandwich bulkheads built into furniture modules and large single-part hull and deck moulds. ‘
“When all fibreglassed together, the end result was an extremely stiff and strong monocoque structure, which uses the exterior shell structure to provide much of the strength rather than solely relying on the interior bulkheads. Resin infusion was also used on the hull and furniture to again increase strength and lower the overall displacement of the vessel,” Seawind continued.
At the peak of production, the Seawind 1160 had a build-schedule launching a new boat every two weeks and even then there was an 18-month waiting list, we’re told.
“The Seawind 1160 has been everywhere — two Pacific crossings, an Atlantic crossing, Alaska, the Caribbean and many liveaboard owners cruising through Asia and even through the Red Sea to the Mediterranean,” said the company. “Many other boats have been very popular charter vessels, either as bareboats in locations such as the Whitsundays, Thailand or British Virgin Islands (Caribbean), or as skippered dayboats in locations such as Sydney Harbour.”
Seawind says the 100th 1160, however, is a good reflection of many of the brand’s new customers, being a syndicated boat. “With four new owners eager to be sailing soon, the boat will be kept permanently on Sydney Harbour at Seawind’s new purpose-built Multihull marina in Rozelle Bay,” the builder added. “The option of syndication allowed this group of likeminded sailing enthusiasts to enjoy great sailing time onboard a brand-new boat for a fraction of the outright outlay.”
Seawind Catamarans will celebrate the launch of the 100th Seawind 1160, named Centurion, when she competes in the annual 13th Seawind Pittwater Regatta on October 28 to 30, where the new Seawind 1000XL2 will also be on display.
For more information, contact Brent Vaughan, sales and marketing manager, phone (02) 4285 9985; 0418 670 751, email: brent@seawindcats.com or visit www.seawindcats.com
Photos:
1). There are now one hundred Seawind 1160 sailcats on the water.
2). The Seawind 1160 Centurion, hull no.100
under cronstruction.