Design and Construction
The XL’s defining change is the 850 mm extension moulded into the aft end of each hull. The idea came from practical aftermarket modifications made by North American Seawind owners seeking more speed when racing. Seawind claims the extra waterline length can add a potential knot of boat speed.
Five through-bolted aluminium beams connect the hulls, including one beneath the mast step. Moulded seats and companionways further stiffen the deck structure. The laminate uses vinylester resin and foam, with chopped strand and woven polyester sandwiching polyurethane foam. Beneath the gelcoat is an osmosis-resistant vinylester tie layer. The NSW Maritime Authority approved the laminate specifications as meeting Australian Survey Standards, and the decks have moulded non-slip surfaces.
Rig and Sail Handling
The fractional sloop rig uses a Tempo Spars aluminium mast. Double, swept-back and forward-projecting tri-star spreaders are stiffened by upper and lower diamond stays of 8 mm 1x19 wire. The mast foot rests on a hinge pin that allows the mast to be lowered forward. Masthead shrouds and a 7/8ths forestay, all of 10 mm 1x19 wire, support the rig. The shrouds attach to external chainplates, while the forestay connects to a fitting on the forward beam.
Most sail handling takes place from the cockpit, with all control lines led aft. The fully battened mainsail drops into a zippered lazy-jack bag and is hoisted through a double-purchase headboard block. The self-tacking headsail uses a 2:1 sheet purchase through a clew block and a track-adjustable car. At the end of the boom, the mainsheet runs through an 8:1 purchase on a car that travels nearly the full width of the aft beam.
An optional apex bowsprit carries a furling screacher. Because the sail lacks UV resistance, it must be stowed below after use. Alternatively, an asymmetric spinnaker can be tacked between both bows.
Under Sail and Power
In a fluctuating 15- to 20-knot nor’easter, the test boat made between 6.5 and around eight knots upwind. With the sheets eased, speed rose to 8 to 10 knots. Squared away downwind, however, the small jib lost effectiveness and the boat slowed.
Test sailors found the 1000 XL perfectly balanced on the wind: it rounded up in puffs and fell off as the breeze eased. The helm felt tight and heavy in less than eight knots of breeze but became considerably lighter once the wind exceeded 10 knots. Testers also noted a pleasant motion in short chop, with no hobby-horsing.
Each hull carries a Yamaha 9.9 hp High Thrust outboard on a spring-loaded raise-and-lower mount beneath a lift-up hatch. The engines are separated by more than five metres, and testers found them easy to lift into their shrouded fairings. With one engine ahead and the other astern, the boat could spin easily within its own length. It could also be steered accurately on a single running motor.
Accommodation
The integrated cockpit and saloon create a single social area of a size normally found only on much larger boats. Forward windows open on gas struts to provide ventilation. The saloon seats eight, or ten when fitted with the optional soft-top icebox seat, and the dinette converts into a king-size bed.
Both the owner’s and charter layouts sleep eight, four people per hull. In the owner’s arrangement, the port hull contains a large aft bathroom and a big bed. The starboard hull has double berths separated by a large galley with full-height cupboards and a two-burner cooker. Broad companionways connect both hulls to the bridge deck. Interior trim is American oak, paired with striped teak-and-holly floors.
Equipment and Ownership
The targa frame supports two 120 W solar panels, which feed three 120 amp/hr deep-cycle batteries. An optional anchor bridle extends below the waterline to stabilise the boat and reduce noise at anchor.
The cockpit arrangement does involve some compromises. Because the mainsheet car travels almost the full width of the aft beam, it can conflict with the legs of passengers on the targa seat. The mainsail track also limits targa-seat legroom.
The Verdict
The Seawind 1000 XL turns an owner-racer modification into a useful production feature. Its extended hulls add waterline length and the potential for more speed, while the five-beam structure, cockpit-managed rig and integrated living area suit its cruising role.
Under power, the widely separated outboards make the boat notably manoeuvrable. Under sail, it balances well once the breeze builds and can reach at 8 to 10 knots in moderate conditions. Its sluggish light-air performance, heavy helm in less than eight knots of breeze and targa-seat conflicts remain genuine trade-offs.
Pros
- Aft hull extensions add waterline length and a potential knot of speed from an owner-derived modification
- Five through-bolted aluminium beams, including one beneath the mast step
- Osmosis-resistant vinylester tie layer and NSW-approved laminate specifications
- Integrated cockpit and saloon with seating for eight to ten and a dinette that converts to a king-size berth
- Spins within its own length and can be steered on one engine
- Balanced on the wind, with speeds of 8 to 10 knots when reaching in a moderate breeze
Cons
- Sluggish in light air, with a heavy helm below eight knots of breeze
- Mainsheet car and track impede targa-seat legroom
- Optional screacher lacks UV resistance and must be stowed below after use
