Seawind 1000 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Ex-charter examples are common on the used market, and buyers should expect to encounter both standard cruising configurations and the four-cabin charter layout. The standard cruising arrangement places three cabins in the hulls — typically a double forward in each hull and a third that functions as a single or child's cabin — with an integrated salon and cockpit that flow into one another as a single open living space. The galley sits below, in the bridgedeck, which keeps the cook close to the action while keeping the primary living space uncluttered.

Charter-fitted examples tend to have the fourth cabin worked into space that a private owner might use for storage or a dedicated workshop area. For a couple, this additional cabin often gets repurposed; for a family or those who intend to take on paying guests, it can be a genuine selling point. The distinction between an ex-charter boat and a private-owner vessel matters more here than on larger catamarans: charter-spec boats may show significantly more interior wear, and the mechanical systems will have been used hard. That said, well-maintained ex-charter 1000s are perfectly capable cruisers — just inspect them more carefully.

The XL and XL2 variants, which added sugarscoop stern extensions to increase waterline length, appear alongside the original 33-foot models. The extensions were a factory response to owner feedback about pitching motion in short, steep seas and are now considered a meaningful improvement for offshore work. If you find an original 1000 with owner-fabricated scoop extensions, that is a common and accepted modification rather than an outlier.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The Seawind 1000 typically arrives on the used market with a reasonable base of cruising equipment, and private-owner examples are commonly fitted with solar panels, a chartplotter, and autopilot. Solar capacity is a frequent upgrade point — the factory-standard panel area was widely considered marginal for sustained cruising, and many owners have added additional panels and expanded battery banks, often to lithium. Buyers should regard a well-executed lithium-plus-solar system as a genuine enhancement rather than overcapitalization on a small boat: the 1000's displacement makes energy self-sufficiency proportionally easier to achieve than on heavier designs.

The twin outboard arrangement — 9.9hp four-stroke Yamahas on lifting brackets — is standard across the model family. These are widely available for service worldwide, and the lifting bracket arrangement keeps the props clean and reduces drag under sail. Many used examples carry a replacement outboard or have had at least one engine replaced; the pair rarely age identically. Hardtop biminis and arch structures are commonly seen, providing mounting space for solar and davit points for a dinghy.

Shorthanded sailing gear is a frequent addition: self-tacking jibs, electric winches, and spinnakers turn up regularly. Cockpit showers and trampolines in good condition are often present on well-maintained examples. Inverters are common among boats fitted for extended cruising.

What to Inspect

The polycarbonate windows on earlier models are a known service item. Owners and reviewers have noted that the polycarbonate glazing on pre-XL examples can develop crazing, discoloration, and leaks over time, and replacement or upgrade to acrylic or glass is not uncommon on older hulls. Budget for window inspection and possible replacement before committing to an early example.

The foam-sandwich FRP construction is robust when undamaged, but any delamination — particularly in the bridgedeck and crossbeam areas — warrants careful inspection by a competent marine surveyor. The bridgedeck clearance of approximately 29 inches is modest for a catamaran of this beam, which means accumulated fatigue from bridgedeck pounding in short-period seas is worth evaluating, particularly on boats with high offshore mileage.

The outboard motor wells and brackets deserve close attention. Salt intrusion, UV degradation, and the mechanical stress of twin engine operation over many seasons can compromise the bracket mounts and the transom structure around them. Verify the bracket condition and check that both outboards start and run through their full throttle range without hesitation.

Weight distribution is worth understanding before making an offer. Overloading, particularly at the bows, is the most common source of uncomfortable motion and reduced performance — inspect the boat for accumulated gear, water tankage, and ground tackle that previous owners may have added without regard to trim. A well-trimmed 1000 handles differently from a loaded-down one, and heavy-bow syndrome is frequently the result of years of casual accumulation rather than any design flaw.

On boats with significant offshore mileage, the report of occasional hobby-horsing in confused seas is consistent with the design's relatively short waterline. The XL and XL2 variants address this partly through the transom extension; original 1000s benefit from keeping weight amidships and limiting accumulation at the ends.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Seawind 1000 turns up across Australia, the United States, parts of northern Europe, New Caledonia, and other Pacific cruising grounds — reflecting both its Australian origin and its history in international charter fleets. Availability tends to cluster in markets with active multihull communities, and because the 1000 series ran for many years with consistent DNA, there is a reasonable pool of examples across different build eras and configurations.

Pre-purchase checklist for a used Seawind 1000:

• Survey the polycarbonate windows on early models for crazing, UV damage, and seal integrity
• Inspect bridgedeck and crossbeam structure for delamination or fatigue cracking
• Evaluate outboard bracket mounts and transom condition; run both engines under load
• Assess battery bank and solar capacity against your intended use — undersized systems are common on older examples
• Check overall trim and weight distribution; look for bow-heavy loading from accumulated gear
• Distinguish ex-charter from private-owner history and adjust inspection rigor accordingly
• Confirm whether scoop extensions are factory or owner-fabricated, and inspect their bonding if the latter
• Verify the self-tacking jib and any shorthanded gear is functional and properly rigged
• Ask about lifetime mileage, passage history, and any storm or grounding events