Loosely modeled on the 1160 but about 1,300 pounds lighter, this 39-foot catamaran puts that weight saving toward a livelier, more performance-minded platform without abandoning the voyaging layout for which Seawind is known.
Design and Construction
The 1190’s hull is resin-infused with a foam core, while its cored deck is vacuum-bagged. This modern composite construction keeps the structure light. Carbon in the crossbeam and arch layup adds stiffness while shedding pounds, and fiber standing rigging replaces wire aloft.
Rather than stub keels, the 1190 uses daggerboards to reduce drag. Twin 20-horsepower outboards replace the heavier 30-horsepower Yanmars and saildrives fitted to its cruising sibling. The outboards tilt clear of the water under sail, eliminating their drag entirely.
A displacement-to-length ratio of 136, together with the overall aim of making the boat sportier than the 1160, marks a deliberate shift in character for Seawind’s midsize catamaran.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
A taller, double-spreader rig carries a square-top mainsail, while a self-tending working jib makes upwind tacking straightforward. A carbon-fiber sprit is standard and can carry either a screecher or a spinnaker.
In barely 3 knots of wind—enough to stir little more than a ripple—test sailors coaxed the speedometer to 2.5 knots. That result shows how readily the lightened hull and rig respond.
Twin wheels flank the cockpit and provide clear sightlines. Lewmar and B&G supply top-quality hardware throughout, while Doyle supplies the sails.
Accommodations
Seawind remains one of the few production catamaran builders to use a galley-down arrangement. On the 1190, the galley sits amidships in the starboard hull and includes a stove, refrigerator, sinks, storage, and a hull portlight for natural light.
The interior is arranged for extended voyaging, with cabins forward and aft in each hull. In the port hull, the owner’s cabin is forward and has an athwartship bunk. A head and shower occupy the aft end of the same hull; the judges called it the best they saw at the show. A second head in the starboard hull is optional.
Removable tempered-glass windows provide excellent forward sightlines. Seawind’s trademark trifold door lifts away and stows beneath the cockpit bimini, opening the saloon to the breeze.
Known Issue
The judges’ only complaint concerned fuel hoses running from the gasoline tank to the engine that were not up to U.S. specifications. It’s a point worth correcting on any U.S.-bound example.
Verdict
The Seawind 1190 is a thoughtfully lightened catamaran that trades some cruising ballast for genuine sailing sparkle. Its daggerboards, carbon-reinforced structure, and simple outboard installation produce a boat that is easy to handle and quick to accelerate. At the same time, the galley-down arrangement preserves the long-range living space Seawind owners expect.
The only documented caveat is the fuel-hose specification gap on U.S. deliveries.
Pros
- About 1,300 pounds lighter than the 1160, with carbon in the crossbeam and arch
- Daggerboards and tilting outboards reduce drag, while fiber standing rigging saves weight aloft
- Galley-down layout, an owner’s cabin with an athwartship bunk, and an aft head judged best at the show
- Square-top mainsail, self-tending jib, and a standard carbon sprit for a screecher or spinnaker
Cons
- Fuel hoses to the engine were not up to U.S. specifications, according to the judging panel
- Outboard propulsion and gasoline fuel require a different approach to upkeep than diesel-inboard catamarans
