PRE LOVED: SEAWIND 1160 DELUXE
Seawind's 1160 has won many accolades since its launch in 2005 and rightly so as these 38-footers are solidly built if unremarkable performers. Easily housing a large family thanks to two large double cabins forward in each hull and smaller double aft in the starboard hull (with bathroom in the same place on port), the 1160 can comfortably take you inshore and offshore.
Tinga Tinga is a well-looked-after 2013 SW1160 Deluxe model with inboard diesel motors. The boat has a new 130-degree jib and a recent antifoul with service. It has been maintained by an experienced sailing couple with decades of sailing.
Dealer Multihull Central describes it as “impeccable”. The boat is lying in Fremantle – so perhaps ideal for that Top End journey east with the prevailing winds? Having helped deliver a Seawind across this stunning region, I can attest to the absolute beauty and remoteness of this vast area; plus the suitability of the Seawind. You'd appreciate the Seawind 1160's large tankage and general storage for this adventure. Also, Tinga Tinga's extra pantry and reversible helm seat that could be a game chair – we landed Spanish mackerel and tuna during that Top End trip.
Catamarans are all about space, and so it is with the 1160. The uncluttered walk-in saloon typifies the clean design approach throughout. The sloping front saloon bulkhead does reduce volume but greatly reduces the windage (especially compared to some of the rather blunt French designs). The saloon has a U-shaped lounge surrounding the adjustable table (that can double as a daybed). There's storage beneath and access to the batteries.
Looking aft, there's a TV integrated into the bulkhead, and the swing-out plotter that sits above the port helm. This houses the main controls, rather than the starboard helm. Two helms are ideal when mooring or in fact racing, as many of these boats do at events such as Hamilton Island Race Week.
Another signature feature is Seawind's foldaway doors that elevate to the fibreglass hardtop which encloses the aft cockpit. The cockpit is designed for sheltered cruising, thanks to it being weatherproof, having large bench seats and a quality Australian-made barbecue. Another big plus for cats is how easily they house davits for a tender; as found on Tinga Tinga. Easy water access from each hull is another big plus; also ideal for landing fighting fish as I've found as well.
FEATURES
Cruising downwind or reaching is ideal for this style of catamaran, which can clock-up good daily mileages. The sailplan in the 1160 is modest but this can be increased with a large screecher or asymmetric headsail if voyaging through the tropical north of Australia is your aim; or perhaps glory at Hamilton Race Week is planned.
The 1160 hull shape is designed to carry loads and the mini keels give lateral stability while protecting the saildrive engines. All cruising cats have these mini keels – rather than the tall daggerboards that denote performance multihulls – and for good reason as this is a simple and robust design.
Above the waterline there's plenty more to like on the Seawind, such as quality deck gear throughout and all the running rigging is well laid out. The fully battened mainsail has lazyjacks for easy dousing, and the Genoa is on a roller furler for quick deployment. Controlling the mainsail can be challenging on a catamaran (and reefing must be done early on all cats from a safety point of view), so controlling it via the fibreglass targa bar and line-winch are other good features of the 1160.
Among other cruising essentials done well on the 1160 is the large, quality Muir anchor windlass which has a gutter to the anchor; thus avoiding snagging anything or anybody for that matter. A second roller allowing for a backup anchor is another good idea on the 1160.
INTERIOR
Safe anchoring gear is conducive to restful nights on the 1160 and you have three cabins to choose from. This includes a three-quarter starboard stern cabin which has large windows and a firm mattress. The longitudinal galley is also nearby, with Seawind's signature double-drawer fridge-freezer. Elsewhere, there's a three-burner cooktop with oven and double sinks. Having cooked on Seawinds at anchor and at sea I find this layout works, especially offshore where you can brace yourself against the hull. Forward of this is the double cabin with en suite. Headroom is limited at the bed but the mattress is queen-size and comfortable with hatch space above.
The accommodation layout in the other hull is similar except the corridor houses the navigation station and beyond this is the second double cabin. A second bathroom is in the stern with walk-in access to one of the twin 30hp Yanmar diesel engines fitted. Headroom and space in the shower would easily accommodate a six-foot sailor and the electric head is functional, and of course doesn't tip up at critical times, unlike its monohull equivalent.
Of course, the Seawind 1160 is more than just about not spilling your G&T, as this design is well proven and ideal for cruising our vast and beautiful continent.
SPECIFICATIONS
FOR SALE $495,000
YEAR BUILT 2013
MATERIAL GRP
LENGTH 11.6m
BEAM 7.1m
DRAFT 1.2m
WEIGHT 7000kg
ENGINE 2 x 30hp Yanmar saildrive diesels
WATER 750lt
FUEL 360lt
Check out the full feature in issue #502 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest boat news, reviews and travel inspiration.