When it comes to on-board power, the Seawind uses a traditional solution based on the engine and a generator. The catamaran also features a number of solar panels, and this configuration is set by the customer, as is the number of lithium batteries depending on the program of the owner. Another interesting detail about the roof is that it is built with a rainwater collecting system. All you have to do is connect a hose between the collection point in the gutter and your water tank, and you're ready to go.
All halyards returned to cockpit
In keeping with the fact that this catamaran is primarily designed for a couple or a small crew, the Seawind 1170 focuses on simplicity in maneuvering. This begins on the bow, with two furling systems, one for the jib and the other one for the screecher. If you want to hoist the spinnaker, you can use the retractable carbon bowsprit and a self-tacking jib is also available as standard, greatly simplifying maneuvering.
All halyards return to the cockpit, taking advantage of the wide side decks. A rope bag, or rather a rope "tray", is installed just behind the winches. As for the blockers, they are easily accessible from the helm station. The mainsail traveler has been installed on the bimini top, which is both easy and very safe, since boom movements take place outside the circulation zones.
Although the Seawind has ocean crossing capabilities, it doesn't claim to be a racing multihull. As such, it has no daggerboards, but mini keels. Nor does this mean that the 1170 is slow - quite the contrary! On the day of our test run in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, we had 11 to 18 knots of wind and relatively flat seas - ideal conditions for testing this Seawind.
Cruising sails, but very decent performance
To get around, the catamaran is equipped with a set of Doyle sails with a 614 sqft (57 m2) mainsail and an optional 548 sqft (51 m2) Code Zero, giving an upwind sail area of 1,162 sqft (108 m2) for a boat that weighs close to 10 tons unladen. To this can be added a 1,194 sqft (111 m2) spinnaker, which really helps in the right conditions.
In any case, the Seawind is already making 8.5 knots with 11 knots of wind, which is very promising. We'll even climb to 9.3 knots with a 16-knot wind and a 40° angle to the apparent wind. With 18 knots of wind, barely more than that, the Seawind can reach peak speeds of over 10 knots, which means we can already go a long way. Talking to Bill and Sierra, the happy owners of 1170 who live on the boat year-round to support their YouTube channel "Tula's Endless Summer", the catamaran's average speed is around 6 to 7 knots, which seems totally coherent.
To get out of the marina or for windless days, the Seawind 1170 is equipped with two 29 HP Yanmar engines. This power means you can cruise at around 6 knots without too much noise and with very reasonable fuel consumption.
