The Seawind 1260 was named the best sailing catamaran under 50 feet by Cruising WorldMmagazine in 2018. It was designed for serious bluewater cruising and is based on the earlier Seawind 1250 with upgrades and refinements. The spacious living area with brilliant natural ventilation, protected cockpit lounge, and social helm seats create an open, indoor/outdoor lifestyle. While the robust and comfortable design contributes to it being a safe and luxurious offshore cruiser.

DESIGN – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

Seawind has been manufacturing and designing cruising catamarans for over 35 years. Originally established in Australia, the Seawind 1260 is built in Vietnam after production was moved there a few years ago. These boats are constructed as full female molded hulls and decks, with a gel coat exterior finish and molded-in non-slip surfaces on the deck areas. Composed of infused vinylester and polyester hulls with a foam core, these the Seawind 1260 has a rigid structure resulting from the continuous deck joint, which is securely fibreglassed along its entire length.

Under the deck, the midships area nacelle where the water storage tanks are located keeps the weight down low and also breaks the waves to reduce heavy slamming faced by some catamarans. The narrow hull are designed to keep weight out of the ends to minimize hobby-horsing. The uncommon reverse sheer on the deck creates plenty of headroom in the passageways below while minimizing the freeboard in the bows.

DECK

Side decks are wide and airy, allowing for easy and safe access forward. Relatively clear, flat space on the foredeck and seating area aft of the trampolines is ideal for living aboard, sunbathing, and enjoying sundowners. The handholds and steps are useful to access the hardtop and mainsail, where the angled sides and large windows would otherwise make this a challenge.

The Seawind 1260 can easily be single-handed with all the sheets run aft to the dual protected helms. The roller furling self-tacking headsail and autopilot make for easy sailing, and the full batten main delivers sailing performance while the hull design performs equally well under power. The helm is light and responsive, contrary to a characteristic sometimes attributed to catamarans. Moving between the helms during tacking and gybing is quick and easy, with a clear path between the two.

The traveler is mounted on a solid arch aft of the hardtop, reducing clutter in the cockpit and providing a suitable location to mount solar panels. A soft-top stretched between the arch and hardtop offers additional protection from the weather.

The big drawcard of this model is the innovative trifold door system, which permits the saloon and cockpit to become one large combined space. This door system allows the boat to convert from having the security of a center bulkhead separating the outdoor cockpit and internal saloon into a large alfresco dining and living space. The door folds away and stows up into the underside of the cockpit roof, creating excellent natural ventilation and makes the boat feel much larger than it is.

SALOON

Moving from the cockpit to the saloon, you have an excellent space for both sailing and living. Designed with a pair of oversized hinged windows forward allows for excellent ventilation, provides security, and makes possible the 360-degree views from both the helm and saloon seats. The saloon table seats seven with an additional two accommodated on a moveable seat. The movable seat also converts the lounge into a single day bed, and the table lowers to transform into a double bed.

The nav station is beside the lounge on the port side, and the chart plotter can conveniently rotate to be visible from this inside seated position making it very convenient for those on watch. All the furniture is of composite construction. Panels and shelving are foam core laminated, with no plywood used throughout the entire boat. This results in the Seawind 1260 being light in weight and of durable construction.

The inline galley is mounted down on the starboard side in both charter and owner’s versions. Large windows in each hull provide the cook with a great view, and open space into the saloon allows for excellent ventilation. Ample storage is available in the galley, both under and over the bench, and neatly finished with timber door fronts. A double bowl sink, three burner LPG stove, and 130 liter refrigerator add to the quality of life aboard, while co-ordinated Polystone counter surfaces and timber accents add to the aesthetic appeal.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Seawind 1260 sleeps up to eight, with three double cabins in the owner’s version, where the entire port hull is a single stateroom. The charter version has four double cabins. Both versions come with two bathrooms, and the saloon lounge can convert to accommodate another double. This makes this catamaran suitable for three couples, two families, or mixed groups.

A recommended maximum loading of 2,500 kg allows for all the equipment and provisions you could want for life aboard and extended cruising. All cabins feature plenty of hatches for ventilation. Recessed 12volt lighting and simulated timber flooring create a comfortable atmosphere to relax. Both heads have a large number of cupboards and shelves; all finished to very high quality. With built-in 130 and 110 liter holding tanks, waste can be pumped out at shore stations or directly overboard when permitted. Vanity basins with hot and cold pressurized water and adequate mirrors and bench space make for comfortable cruising.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall Length: 41′ / 12.45 m
• Beam: 22’3″ / 6.8 m
• Draft: 3′ 8″ / 1.16 m
• Displacement: 18,077 lbs / 8,200 kg
• Diesel Sail Drives: 2 x 29 hp Yanmar
• Fuel: 126 US gal / 480 litres
• Fresh Water: 185 US gal / 700 litres
• Steering Twin Helms: Cable Steering
• Underwing Clearance: 2’6″ / 0.8 m
• Mainsail: 707 sq ft / 65.7 sq m
• Jib: 307 sq ft / 28.5 sq m
• Screecher (optional): 296 sq ft / 27.5 sq m
• Spinnaker (optional): 1,238 sq ft / 115 sq m

PRICE RANGE

The price of the Seawind 1260 starts at $410,000 and increases depending on the selected version and additional desired equipment installed.

CONCLUSION

Suitable for three couples, two families or mixed groups, the Seawind 1260 is an award-winning boat, being named the best sailing catamaran under 50 feet by cruising world magazine in 2018. The spacious living area with brilliant natural ventilation, protected cockpit lounge, and social helm seats make it ideal for those who desire an open indoor/outdoor lifestyle. The robust construction method and comfortable, well thought out design contribute to it being a safe and luxurious offshore cruiser.