{"id":162158,"date":"2026-02-25T06:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T06:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?post_type=review&p=162158"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:02:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:02:07","slug":"seawind-1170-review-nimble-aussie-catamaran-comes-to-europe","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/reviews\/boat-tests\/seawind-1170-review-nimble-aussie-catamaran-comes-to-europe","title":{"rendered":"Seawind 1170 review: Nimble Aussie catamaran comes to Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 800 Seawind<\/a> catamarans have launched since the brand\u2019s creation in 1983. These were at first all from Australia, before founder Richard Ward took over the Corsair Trimaran factory and moved production to Vietnam in 2008.<\/p>\n

Seawind designs have much going for them, and have never sacrificed performance while gaining in comfort over the years. However, with cargo transport costs to Europe at around \u00a345,000, most have headed for Australia and the United States.<\/p>\n

\"Seawind

Photo: Seawind Catamarans<\/p><\/div>\n

This new Seawind 1170 could change that. Although the first two models were built in Vietnam, the moulds were then shipped to T\u00fcrkiye where a Seawind factory opened in Menemen in 2023 in the Izmir free zone.<\/p>\n

The catamarans are built using PVC foam sandwich and Vinylester resin infusion, resulting in a light displacement of 9,000kg for the 1170. This equates to a performance\/comfort compromise similar to that of Excess<\/a>, Nautitech and even an Outremer (but without daggerboards).<\/p>\n

Having sailed from the Aegean Sea, hull No5 of the Seawind 1170 was waiting for us in La Grande Motte, southern France, where the International Multihull Show is held every year. If good multihulls reveal themselves in light winds, then we\u2019d find out what the Seawind 1170 is capable of, because the breeze was extremely light.<\/p>\n

\"Hinged

Hinged helm seat backrest allows seating facing forward or aft. Photo: Seawind Catamarans<\/p><\/div>\n

The Seawind 1170 is nifty and nimble<\/h2>\n

First impressions were positive: this \u2018small\u2019 catamaran pivots lengthwise, nimbly extricating itself from the corner of the port where it was confined, aided by its two 29hp Yanmar engines. We powered away from the coast, the engines at cruising speed, noting 6 knots on the log.<\/p>\n

From the port helm station, if you\u2019re alone, or behind it if you are a crewmember, you get an ideal view of the mainsail as it\u2019s hoisted. The same goes for unfurling the Code 0, which is essential in very light winds.<\/p>\n

This position of the twin helm stations, on either side of the cockpit and covered by the bimini, offers the helmsman particularly good protection, while the winches and clutches are within easy reach.<\/p>\n

\"There\u2019s

There\u2019s good views from the helms outboard or though the window. Photo: Fran\u00e7ois Tregouet\/MULTImedia<\/p><\/div>\n

You have the electronics in front of you, while the VHF is located inside, but you can reach it because the bulkhead windows slide down into the bulkhead, like a car\u2019s electric windows.<\/p>\n

As for the view from this position, it is a little confusing at first because, unless you stick your head out to the side, you are looking through this bulkhead window and the coachroof windows beyond. But you get used to it pretty quickly because the view is almost 360\u00b0, with good visibility even under the headsails.<\/p>\n

\"Seawind\u2019s

Seawind\u2019s \u2018magic door\u2019 folds up to be secured against the bimini roof to completely open up the space between the saloon and the cockpit. Photo: Seawind Catamarans<\/p><\/div>\n

Aussie nature<\/h2>\n

For the past 20 years Seawinds have had a \u2018magic door\u2019 that removes the boundary between the saloon and the cockpit. Divided into three panels that fold into the centre, the whole thing can then be raised up under the bimini with a few turns of the winch.<\/p>\n

Once locked in the horizontal position by a sturdy stainless steel bar, the cockpit and saloon become one (provided you don\u2019t forget the door threshold!). It\u2019s a prime chance to really appreciate this large cockpit, fully protected from the sun.With the essential barbecue and large, opening portlights on the front of the deckhouse promoting natural ventilation, we have three strong markers of a catamaran with \u2018Aussie\u2019 genes.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Seawind 1170 has pedigree breeding and packs plenty in for a 39ft cruising cat. Highlights include fine entry hulls aiding perfomance, good layout and space, and a well protected cockpit. Photo: Seawind Catamarans<\/p><\/div>\n

Although the 1170 only offers only one three-cabin layout, this is optimised with the port hull entirely dedicated to the owner.<\/p>\n

The aft section is occupied by a long bathroom worthy of a much larger boat. In the centre, the passageway provides plenty of stowage space and could almost be described as a dressing room, as the owner\u2019s cabin is located just ahead. The transverse bed is quite high up in the nacelle, but it is accessible from both sides, and the sea view through the long hull portlight is well worth the three steps to climb.<\/p>\n

On the starboard side, the guest cabin has its own bathroom forward, while aft there is an extra cabin that can be used for a weekend or for children.<\/p>\n

\"Fixed

Fixed benches around a table that pivots and lowers. Photo: Seawind Catamarans<\/p><\/div>\n

The location of the galley in the passageway is a very sensible choice for a yacht of this size. It frees up space in the nacelle, which offers a spacious saloon and a proper chart table on the port side.<\/p>\n

The galley is not isolated, however, as it remains open at the top to the saloon. It has attractive worktops and plenty of stowage space for a 39-footer. The inclusion of an induction hob, used in combination with an optional lithium battery pack, follows a global trend away from gas and its associated risks and constraints.<\/p>\n

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Seawind 1370 first look: New spacious performance multihull<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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The market for comfortable and spacious performance multihulls continues to grow. Seawind is perhaps less well known in Europe than…<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t