Seawind 1000 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The hulls carry a keel about a third of the way amid ship and wear plumb bows with the front cross beam set just behind them, while spade rudders complete the steering profile. Early boats were built as an all-foam sandwich using unidirectional and biaxial glass, and newer models moved to lightweight FRP construction. The catamaran’s 19½-foot beam places it toward the beamier side of catamaran proportions, and that extra width gives it the stability to carry a very full mainsail without distress. Two-meter fixed mini keels define the underwater shape, and the bridgedeck carries 29 inches of clearance — a figure that, in practice, delivered a surprisingly low incidence of bridgedeck slams even in rough water.

Rig and Handling

Most control lines run aft to the helm, and the self-tacking jib makes the boat genuinely easy to sail single-handed or short-handed. A hinged mast base lets the rig be lowered forward with minimal effort, a real asset for trailering or bridging low passages. The original launch carried an inboard Bukh diesel, but charter operators asked for twin outboards for ease of maintenance and maneuverability, and that configuration became the standard for the family. Those Yamaha 9.9hp four-strokes use a 3:1 high-thrust gear ratio with extra-long shafts and sit on lifting brackets that keep the props clean, safe, and clear of drag. Testers found the ride nimble and lively in poor conditions, and Captain Royce Black both delivered one safely through a Category 5 hurricane and logged over 25 knots on bare poles; designer Richard Ward notes several reached New Zealand and Hawaii after surviving 70-knot storms. The boat can show jerky motion in confused seas or when beating into a strong chop, but owners report its performance is less weight-sensitive than other cats they have sailed.

Accommodations

The layout rejects the usual salon-cockpit divide: the open living area eliminates that partition entirely, with three cabins tucked into the hulls and a galley positioned down. Panoramic windows and forward-opening hatches give nearly unfettered views, ample ventilation, and shelter, while headroom comfortably fits anyone up to 6 foot 4. A retractable ladder stows between the trampolines, and the forward deck pairs a mesh trampoline with a solid “cat walk” hard deck. One longtime owner described the sheltered main saloon’s 360-degree visibility when seated as the feature that most distinguishes the boat, and placed the salon, cabin, and galley along the pitch axis so the motion stays tolerable; he and his wife put over 25,000 nautical miles under a 2000 example and rated the layout exceptionally comfortable. Writing in YachtSite, reviewers found the galley very nice and functional, and judged the size right for living aboard for weeks or longer — though better suited to a couple with the occasional low-maintenance guest.

Known Issues

Some owners and surveyors have noted issues with the polycarbonate windows on earlier Seawind 1000 models, a point worth scrutiny on any early-production hull.

Refits and Ownership

The stock arch already provides for solar, seating, a barbecue, and dinghy davits, so many upgrades build on that rather than against it. The twin outboard setup keeps maintenance simple and cheap compared with inboards, and the boat remains small enough for easy operation and upkeep. The Seawind 1000 is a manageable, well-considered coastal and offshore cruiser whose systems reward an owner who values simplicity over complexity.

The Verdict

The Seawind 1000 established Seawind’s reputation as a cruising-cat builder and remains a sensible, low-fuss platform. Its open salon-cockpit living, beamy stability, and short-handed rig suit a couple who want real offshore credibility without complex systems.

Pros