Seawind 1000 XL Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The XL's defining modification is the 850 mm extension built into each hull moulding at the aft end, an idea that sprang from handy aftermarket work by some North American Seawind owners who were looking for more speed when racing. The builder claims the additional waterline length adds a potential knot to boat speed. Structurally, the hulls are connected by five through-bolted aluminium beams, including one located under the mast step, and the deck structure is stiffened by moulded seats and companionways. The laminate is vinylester resin and foam, with chopped strand and woven polyester sandwiching polyurethane foam, and a vinylester tie layer beneath the gelcoat that is osmosis resistant. The laminate specifications are approved by the NSW Maritime Authority to meet Australian Survey Standards. Moulded non-slip deck surfaces complete the picture.

Rig and Handling

The rig is a fractional sloop carried on a Tempo Spars aluminium mast with double, swept-back and forward-projecting tri-star spreaders stiffened by upper and lower diamond stays of 8 mm 1x19 wire. The mast foot sits on a hinge pin allowing forward lowering, and masthead shrouds with a 7/8ths forestay of 10 mm 1x19 wire hold the stick upright; shrouds mount to external chainplates and the forestay to a forward beam fitting. Sail handling is cockpit-dominated: all control lines lead aft, the fully-battened mainsail zips into a lazy-jack bag and is hoisted on a double-purchase headboard block, and the self-tacking headsail carries 2:1 sheet purchase via a clew block with a track-adjustable car. The end-boom mainsheet runs an 8:1 purchase on a car travelling nearly the full width of the aft beam.

Test sailors found the 1000 XL spun easily in its own length with one engine ahead and one astern, and could be steered accurately on a single running motor. On the sail, she balanced perfectly on the wind, rounding up in puffs and falling off as the breeze eased. In a fluctuating 15 to 20-knot nor'easter she varied from 6.5 to around eight knots upwind and reached 8 to 10 knots with sheets eased, though she fell off in speed when squared away with the small jib. The helm felt tight and heavy in sub-eight-knot breeze but lightened considerably once wind passed 10 knots. Testers noted a pleasant motion in short chop and no hobby-horsing.

Accommodations

The integrated cockpit and saloon form a single social space normally available only in much larger boats. Front windows open on gas struts for ventilation, and the saloon seats eight — ten with the optional soft-top icebox seat — while the dinette converts to a king-size bed. Below decks, owner's and charter layouts both sleep eight, four per hull. The owner's layout places a large aft bathroom and big bed in the port hull, while the starboard hull carries double berths separated by a large galley with full-height cupboards and a two-burner cooker. Broad companionways link each hull to the bridge deck, and trim is American oak with striped teak/holly floors.

Known Issues

Two layout-driven discomforts appear on this design. The mainsheet car travels almost the full width of the aft beam, and its travel can conflict with targa-seat passengers' legs; the mainsail track itself also impedes targa seat legroom. On the performance side, the boat shows sluggish performance in light air, with the helm heavy and the small jib giving up when squared away downwind.

Refits and Ownership

Each hull carries a Yamaha 9.9 hp High Thrust outboard on spring-loaded raise/lower mounts under lift-up hatches, separated by more than five metres; testers found them easy to lift into shrouded fairings. The targa frame mounts two 120 W solar panels feeding three 120 amp/hr deep-cycle batteries. An optional anchor bridle extends below water level to stabilise the boat and cut at-anchor noise. The optional apex bowsprit carries a furling screacher that lacks UV resistance and must be stowed below after use; an asymmetric spinnaker tacks between both bows as an alternative.

The Verdict

The Seawind 1000 XL is a thoughtfully stretched small cat that turns owner-racer ingenuity into a production advantage, pairing a stiff aluminium-beam structure with a cockpit-managed rig and a genuinely large integrated living space. She is handy under twin outboards and balanced under sail once the breeze builds, though light-air sluggishness and targa-seat conflicts are real trade-offs.

Pros

Aft hull extensions add waterline and a potential knot of speed from owner-derived modification
Five through-bolted aluminium beams including one under the mast step
Osmosis-resistant vinylester tie layer and NSW-approved laminate
Integrated cockpit/saloon with eight to ten seats and convertible king berth
Spins in its own length and steers on one engine
Balanced on the wind; 8 to 10 knots reaching in moderate breeze

Cons