Design and Construction
The 1160’s hull form is a catamaran with twin keels, and Ward noted that all his Seawinds carry mini-keels. Those keels are not shaped for upwind lift nor small enough to avoid downwind drag, but they let the boat dry out and shield the rudders and propellers from underwater hazards, and because they are thick glass any damage is easily repaired. The hulls are asymmetrical, a Ward signature since the SW 1000, with flare built into the inside of the bows and carried well aft above the waterline. Above the waterline the 1160 shows sharp, near-plumb stems that slice through the water and sinuous, long transom curves; black glass hull windows reduce glare, and the hard-topped saloon with oversized windows reads almost like a powerboat. At 38.06 feet overall with a 21.33-foot beam, the length-to-beam ratio of 7.7 is remarkably low — in a sample of five cruising cats, only the relatively bulbous Prout 38 matched it — giving the 1160 exceptional volume for its length.
The convertible bridgedeck is the boat’s signature. A set of three panel doors, hinged forward and latching to the overhead targa arch, lets you enclose the saloon into a lockable, secure, and cozy indoor area missing from the 1000, or fold the panels together and hoist them up and out of the way to open the space. The doors are stout, and the mechanism is doubly fail-safe with lanyard and latch; testers found the tri-fold doors ridiculously simple to operate, though they worried about what would happen if they came adrift, and periodic examinations underway convinced them the hazard was minimal.
Rig and Handling
The 1160 is rigged as a fractional sloop with a powerful, big-roach, fully battened mainsail trimmed through a traveler atop the targa — a system testers called elegant and efficient. The high-aspect jib develops maximum lift from its long leading edge and is self-tacking via an arc of track on the foredeck with blocks and fairleads. An optional screecher flown from the fold-down sprit can supercharge apparent wind. Owners report the boat tacks easily, and the configuration makes the promise of single-handed sailing a reality. Delivery skippers consulted were positive about performance, with one veteran noting she doesn’t dive or sail around the leeward bow the way most multihulls do, and reports of an 1160 weathering a three-day Tasman storm further convinced reviewers she is put together well.
Accommodations
Below, the oversized hull windows make the 1160 exceptionally bright, and the molded glass interior with wood accents struck reviewers as more stark than traditional. The hulls are open well forward from the stairways on both sides. To port, an inward-facing nav table, a generous double berth, and a spacious head with a stand-up shower behind plexiglass doors offer more elbow room than usual. The starboard hull holds a highly functional galley with grey Polystone counters inboard and outboard, a three-burner propane stove with oven, double stainless sinks, a front-opening refrigerator, and a 2-cubic-foot freezer; ample stowage, teak and holly sole, and varnished cabinetry round it out. The cockpit table lowers to a double bed.
Layout options include a four-cabin plan with doubles at each hull end and a second head instead of a nav station, where the after berths are tight at just over six feet, and an owner’s version with an athwartships queen forward in the port hull, or an athwartships island double on port with access from both sides. Air-conditioning ducts are fitted and overhead hatches open, but the fixed side windows allow no cross ventilation.
Known Issues
Engine access is the sore point. The 1160 is powered by twin Yanmar diesels (about 30 hp) turning saildrives, and access points for servicing them are said to be tight; testers found reaching the dipstick via a panel in the head convoluted.
Refits and Ownership
Newer 1160 builds from the Vietnam production facility brought updated upholstery and finishes that make the interior feel fresher and more modern, a useful distinction when comparing early and late boats.
The Verdict
The Seawind 1160 is a thoughtfully conceived cruising cat that turns a low length-to-beam ratio into genuine living space, backs it with a clever convertible saloon, and sails with a simple, self-tacking rig that owners and delivery skippers respect. The mini-keels trade theoretical speed for practical grounding protection and easy repair, and the build has proven itself offshore.
Pros
- Tri-fold door system converts bridgedeck from open to secure enclosure
- Self-tacking jib and targa-traveler main make single-handed sailing realistic
- Mini-keels allow drying out and shield running gear; thick glass is repairable
- Bright, voluminous interior with serious galley and flexible layouts
Cons
- Engine service access is tight, with awkward dipstick routing
- Fixed side windows prevent cross ventilation
- Asymmetrical hulls and low bridgedeck clearance are not optimized for upwind keel performance
