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.
First impressions show this 45-footer to have the signature features of the well-proven Seawind brand – trifold doors to maximise access between cockpit and saloon, along with twin Lewmar GRP steering wheels for easy handling. In the cockpit the 1370 has transom seating along with an electric barbecue hotplate with sink on the opposite quarter. Protecting the cockpit is a wide fibreglass targa walkway, a similar setup to previous models, which includes the mainsheet track controlled by a neat targa-side winch. Carbon davits support a substantial dinghy and swim access is good on both hulls via wide steps and a ladder.
B&G electronics are used throughout, with a 12-inch plotter and readouts for both helms. The helm positions are well-shaded by the hardtop targa, but skylights above each wheel give a view of the mainsail, while the adjoining saloon windows drop down electrically for clear views forward.
The review boat came with twin electric Harken 50 winches each side with adjoining jammers, plus another winch on the mast for spinnakers. As we found during our sail, this arrangement works well, with the sheltered helms proving comfortable and the running rigging controls all tidied into rope boxes. Another plus is the flat coamings which allow the steerer to sit out racing-style. Throttles on both sides are handy when docking as well.
Good design in this area includes the moveable helm backrests on the double seats, beside the GRP steering wheels – a step up from the metal wheels used on earlier boats.
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.
The aft facing galley has panoramic views from its twin sinks, which could persuade even the most reluctant crew to wash-up. Alongside them is the three-burner gas hob and oven. Good design points here include a large chest freezer and equally large fridge. The entire area is surrounded by generous synthetic worktops and plenty of cupboard space, all below eye level to maximise the views.
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.
Outside views are excellent down below, thanks to large windows, and ventilation is also good through opening side hatches fitted to both hulls. The starboard hull is laid out with a double cabin aft and a single berth forward. A light-coloured ash wood laminate finish throughout the interior contrasts nicely with the ambience from neutral-coloured soft furnishings, proving that it’s not just big European builders who turn on the style. European CE standards apply to these boats, so an escape hatch is included in each hull – an essential for a bluewater sailing catamaran.
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.
Engines are accessible from on deck or from behind the bathroom bulkhead. Service points for the two 57hp Yanmars are easily accessible. The sail drive legs have twin-bladed folding Gori propellers with overdrive to enhance efficiency and minimise drag. Electronics and systems have had a major upgrade, with CZone digital switching installed – operating modes are simply chosen and there’s enhanced error checking. Married to this was a bank of three 400-amp lithium house batteries in the nacelle, along with a large inverter. This set up can run white goods – no need for a generator. Fast, wide-spectrum charging is what you pay for with lithium batteries.
Aircon is another tropical nicety, and a top quality Mastervolt 32000BTU/24V system was fitted. Solar panels on the vast roof help keep the batteries charged.
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.
Turning into the wind, we slowed and rolled the main halyard onto the electric Harken to quickly hoist the mainsail before reaching off while unwinding the screecher. Sitting at the helm I glanced through the skylight to check the mainsail tell-tales and we sped off with the 14-knot breeze doing 8.7 knots on the beam reach. The light but positive feel of the helm, thanks to Lewmar hard linkages, rewarded my efforts trimming and steering the boat.
We were heading for the famed Monkey Island, so had to be prepared for furry boarders if we anchored too close. Meanwhile, there was some dodging to do to avoid all the fishing gear spread across our path – it was good to have clear views through the saloon windows over the bows.
When conditions eased, our crew hoisted the asymmetric in its snuffer and we put the wind well behind the mast, running at 120o in 11.5 knots of wind which gave us 7.1 knots of boat speed and quickly took us to the lee of the island. There the Maxwell windlass did its job, allowing us a relaxed lunch break and a view of the jungle-clad island hills resonant with strange wild sounds.
I fancied sailing onwards for another two days to reach the picturesque shores of the Koh Samui island group, with perhaps a wild night at the full moon party. But, alas, we had to up-anchor and beat homeward. Thanks to the self-tacking jib, I only had to turn the wheel occasionally, spinning the hulls round without any need to touch mainsheet or jib sheet.
Easy-as – which sums up pretty well this very capable new cruiser from Seawind.
