The 1160 won the Australian Marine Industries Federation’s 2005 Boat of the Year award. Its notable innovations included a clever tri-fold door assembly, a self-tacking jib, a fold-away bowsprit, and hull windows running from stem to stern.
Design and Construction
The 1160 has asymmetrical hulls and twin keels. Ward noted that all his Seawinds carry mini-keels. They aren’t shaped to generate lift upwind or small enough to avoid adding drag downwind, but they allow the boat to dry out and help protect the rudders and propellers from underwater hazards. Because the keels are built from thick glass, any damage is easily repaired.
The asymmetrical hull shape had been a Ward signature since the SW 1000. The inside of each bow flares above the waterline, with that flare carried well aft. Above the waterline, the 1160 has sharp, near-plumb stems and long, sinuous transom curves. Black-glass hull windows reduce glare, while the hard-topped saloon and its oversized windows give the boat an almost powerboat-like appearance.
The 1160 measures 38.06 feet overall with a beam of 21.33 feet. Its 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. The result is exceptional volume for the boat’s length.
The convertible bridgedeck is the 1160’s signature feature. Three door panels are hinged forward and latch to the overhead targa arch. Closed, they turn the saloon into the lockable, secure, and cozy indoor area that the 1000 lacked. Open, the panels fold together and hoist overhead, leaving the saloon and cockpit connected.
The doors are stout, and the mechanism has both a lanyard and a latch as safeguards. Testers found the tri-fold doors ridiculously simple to operate, though they initially worried about what might happen if the assembly came adrift. Periodic checks while underway convinced them that the hazard was minimal.
Rig and Handling
The 1160 carries a fractional sloop rig with a powerful, fully battened mainsail and a large roach. The main is trimmed with a traveler mounted 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, along with blocks and fairleads. An optional screecher, flown from the fold-down sprit, can supercharge apparent wind.
Owners report that the boat tacks easily, and the sail plan makes the promise of single-handed sailing a reality. Delivery skippers consulted were also positive about its performance. One veteran noted that the 1160 doesn’t dive or sail around the leeward bow as most multihulls do. Reports of an 1160 weathering a three-day Tasman storm further convinced reviewers that the boat is put together well.
Accommodations
Oversized hull windows make the interior exceptionally bright. Its molded-glass surfaces and wood accents struck reviewers as starker than a traditional interior, while the hulls are open well forward of the stairways on both sides.
To port, the standard arrangement includes an inward-facing navigation table, a generous double berth, and a spacious head with a stand-up shower behind plexiglass doors. Together, they provide more elbow room than usual.
The starboard hull contains a highly functional galley. Grey Polystone counters run inboard and outboard, accompanied by a three-burner propane stove with oven, double stainless-steel sinks, a front-opening refrigerator, and a 2-cubic-foot freezer. Ample stowage, a teak-and-holly sole, and varnished cabinetry complete the space. The cockpit table can also be lowered to form a double bed.
Several layouts were offered. The four-cabin plan has double berths at each end of both hulls and substitutes a second head for the navigation station; its after berths are tight, at just over six feet. Owner’s versions include an athwartships queen forward in the port hull, or an athwartships island double to port with access from both sides.
Air-conditioning ducts are fitted, and overhead hatches open for ventilation. The fixed side windows, however, don’t allow cross ventilation.
Machinery and Known Issues
The 1160 is powered by twin Yanmar diesels of about 30 hp, driving saildrives. Engine access is the main sore point: access points for servicing them are said to be tight. Testers also found the route to the dipstick, through a panel in the head, convoluted.
Production Changes and Ownership
Later 1160s built at the Vietnam production facility received updated upholstery and finishes. These changes give their interiors a fresher, more modern feel and provide a useful distinction when comparing early and late boats.
The Verdict
The Seawind 1160 is a thoughtfully conceived cruising catamaran. Its low length-to-beam ratio translates into genuine living space, while the convertible saloon makes that space unusually flexible. The simple, self-tacking rig is well suited to shorthanded sailing and has earned respect from owners and delivery skippers.
The mini-keels trade theoretical speed for practical protection from underwater hazards, the ability to dry out, and straightforward repair. Reports of offshore performance also support reviewers’ view that the boat is put together well.
Pros
- Tri-fold doors convert the bridgedeck from an open living area to a secure enclosure.
- The self-tacking jib and targa-mounted mainsheet traveler make single-handed sailing realistic.
- Mini-keels allow the boat to dry out and protect the running gear; their thick-glass construction is repairable.
- The interior is bright and voluminous, with a serious galley and flexible layouts.
Cons
- Engine-service access is tight, and the route to the dipstick is awkward.
- Fixed side windows prevent cross ventilation.
- The asymmetrical hulls and low bridgedeck clearance aren’t optimized for upwind keel performance.
