Design and Construction
The 1260's foam-cored infused vinylester hulls reflect Seawind's commitment to structural integrity over the long haul, not merely at the point of sale. Hulls and deck are joined and fiberglassed along their entire length — a detail that matters after tens of thousands of sea miles when lesser joints begin to weep. Seawind's production facility in Ho Chi Minh City also builds Corsair trimarans, and the discipline of that performance-oriented brand shows in the finish quality.
The 1260's most visually striking design choice is its reverse sheer on the deck, which solves a perennial catamaran tension: it delivers standing headroom through the passageways while deliberately keeping bow freeboard low. Less freeboard forward means reduced windage and reduced pitching moment — the hull behaves more like a monohull than a typical multihull upwind. Weight discipline is reinforced throughout; Seawind has systematically removed as much wood as possible from earlier iterations, tabbing in shelving and structural elements to increase whole-boat stiffness.
The single-spreader aluminum mast and stainless standing rigging are sized for bluewater work, reflecting the original Bass Strait–hardened philosophy that persists despite the company's move to Southeast Asia. The result is a structure built to last, not to impress at a boat show and fade.
Cockpit and Deck Handling
The cockpit is one of the 1260's strongest arguments. Twin outboard helm stations push the helmsman well clear of the centerline, giving clean sightlines forward through large cabintrunk windows and an unobstructed view of the rig. All control lines are accessible from the helms, with the main traveler mounted on a composite arch immediately aft — the same arch that commonly hosts solar panels and is structurally integrated rather than bolted on as an afterthought.
The Tri-Fold door system — a solid glass-and-metal structure rather than a sliding glass panel — earns its place in offshore conditions where a flimsier door is a liability. When conditions allow, it hinges up and stows beneath the hardtop, merging cockpit and saloon into a single volume. A hard Targa top stretches aft to the arch, providing full protection at the helm from sun and rain alike. Handholds are placed throughout — on either side of the door, flanking the arch, along the steps down to the transoms, and even on the underside of the hardtop.
Forward of the cockpit, the cabintrunk profile presented a practical step and handhold for accessing the boom and packing the mainsail — a detail that reveals real-world thinking over pure aesthetics. The test boat carried Lewmar winches, a Profurl furler for the self-tacking headsail, and a Colligo continuous-line furler for a reaching sail off a sprit.
Sailing Performance
Under sail the 1260 is direct and honest. In 15 knots of wind closehauled at 45 degrees true, the boat maintained 7 knots — performance comparable to a well-found monohull. Helm adjustments translated immediately into boatspeed in a way that many cruising cats never achieve. In gusts to 20 knots with full main and self-tacking jib, the speedo pushed past 8 knots closehauled without drama; on a broad reach in 14 knots, 8 knots remained the baseline rather than the peak.
Tacking is simplified to the point of ceremony: put down the helm, stroll to the other wheel, done. The narrow hulls carry their way through the tack rather than stalling mid-maneuver, and the self-tacking jib means no hands are needed on the foredeck. Crew who have sailed the 1250 in Whitsundays conditions report the same predictable, confidence-inspiring motion in 20-plus knots and building chop — the hallmark of a well-damped hull pair rather than a flat-water flyer.
Accommodations
Seawind's galley-down layout is a deliberate departure from the raised-saloon norm. The inline galley in the starboard hull gives the cook a proper counter to brace against in a seaway, along with a stand-up fridge and 180-liter top-loading freezer and large hull ports with genuine views. The arrangement sacrifices none of the social connection — food passes easily up to the saloon, and the cook remains part of the conversation.
The saloon benefits from the space freed by dropping the galley below. A U-shaped settee surrounds a transformer table mounted on a gas shock, adjustable from dining height to entertaining height to a flush day berth. Two layouts are offered: a three-cabin owner's version in which the entire port hull becomes a single stateroom, and a four-cabin charter configuration. The owner's layout gives the port hull a large head and shower aft, an electrical panel and storage amidships, and a queen berth forward with a hull port at its foot. In the starboard hull, a guest queen cabin sits forward of the galley, with a smaller aft cabin accessible for storage or a second guest.
Storage is somewhat at a premium in the starboard hull aft cabin — a candid assessment from a thorough sea trial, and worth factoring into any consideration of the four-cabin version.
Under Power
The twin Yanmar diesels make the 1260 capable and maneuverable in port. At 1,200 rpm, 4.7 knots is the comfortable loafing pace; 2,000 rpm delivers 6.9 knots with moderate fuel consumption. Working the engines against one another, the narrow hulls and reduced windage make pivoting in tight quarters easier than on beamier cats. The standard 29 hp engines handle the boat well; 39 hp Yanmars are available for buyers who frequently operate in strong currents or want a larger safety margin.
The Verdict
The Seawind 1260 is a rare production catamaran that earns its bluewater billing without sacrificing daily livability. It traces a direct lineage from proven offshore designs, is built with structural seriousness, sails with genuine feedback and speed, and arranges its accommodations around the realities of offshore life rather than marina impressions. For a couple or small family intent on real passages, it stands among very few production cruising cats that can genuinely back up their bluewater claims.
Pros
- Infused foam-cored construction with fiberglassed hull-deck joint throughout
- Narrow hulls and reverse sheer minimize pitching and reduce upwind windage
- Self-tacking jib and twin helms make short-handed sailing genuinely easy
- Strong upwind performance with responsive, communicative helm
- Galley-down layout with bracing counter and excellent ventilation
- Tri-Fold door creates true indoor-outdoor cockpit in settled conditions
- Hard Targa top and overhead Bimini windows protect helm without sacrificing sightlines
Cons
- Storage in the starboard aft cabin is limited in the four-cabin configuration
- Galley-down means the cook is a half-level below the cockpit social space
- Narrower hulls trade some interior volume for the performance gains
