EPISODE #12: The Debrief – Trans-Tasman Seawind 1170 Delivery
March 26, 2026
Delivering a catamaran across the Tasman Sea — one of the world’s most notoriously unpredictable bodies of water — is no small feat. In a recent episode of the Two Hulls One Life podcast, Multihull Central’s skipper and yacht broker Tom Adams sat down for a detailed debrief along with Brent Vaughan who also joined the 8.5-day passage aboard the Seawind 1170 from Sydney to the Auckland New Zealand, covering 1,248 nautical miles of mixed and at times challenging conditions.
Preparation: Safety First
Tom’s approach to boat prep was methodical. With the Seawind 1170 — known as Sweet Disposition — being just 18 months old and already having logged coastal miles to Townsville, the foundation was solid. Tom spent several days conducting a thorough systems check: verifying the life raft, fire extinguishers, EPIRBs, dan buoys, drogue, and all first aid gear. A full rig inspection was carried out, revealing only a minor goosesneck pin replacement. Jacklines and harnesses were rigged, and all shackles inspected. Spare 100-litre jerry cans of fuel was also taken aboard — a habit Tom credits with saving him in rough conditions off Coffs Harbour on a previous voyage.
Weather Routing: Timing is Everything
Weather planning was central to the trip. Using PredictWind Professional paired with an Iridium GO satellite device, Tom monitored evolving systems throughout the passage. The crew departed within a reasonable window, though competing pressure systems — a tropical low near New Caledonia and a Southern Ocean front — required careful navigation decisions. At one point, the crew deliberately slowed the boat to allow a developing low to clarify before committing to a heading. The southerly front ultimately produced beam swells of up to 4–4.5 metres and winds peaking around 30–32 knots, but was short-lived. The first leg out of Sydney saw wind on the nose and uncomfortable short chop, while a mid-passage calm required motoring for a period. The final 48 hours into New Zealand delivered some of the best sailing, with the boat hitting 13–14 knots.
Offshore Performance: The 1170 Proves Itself
For Tom — a lifelong monohull sailor making his first offshore catamaran passage — the Seawind 1170 was a revelation. The boat’s raked bows and chined transom provided excellent buoyancy and kept the vessel dry in heavy chop. The enclosed saloon cockpit was a standout feature: crew could reef the main from inside the helm station without getting wet, even in 30-knot conditions. The autopilot performed flawlessly throughout. The boat spent approximately two full days under third reef, prompting a suggestion that an additional, smaller reef point would suit offshore work well. The screacher sail, deployed briefly during calmer stretches, proved extremely easy to handle solo.
Systems, Power & Provisioning
The boat’s lithium battery system with booster alternators was a highlight — capable of charging from 60% to full in under 30 minutes at idle engine speeds. This proved invaluable given the predominantly overcast conditions that limited solar input. The crew ran the engines for roughly 30 minutes each afternoon to top up batteries and heat water via the engine’s heat exchanger. Total fuel consumption across the passage was around 135 liters per side — well within the boat’s generous 520-litre capacity, plus reserve. A Rainman AC watermaker producing 140 liters per hour handled all fresh water needs from day five onward, with the 520-litre tank capacity proving more than adequate. Crew comfort was maintained through pre-cooked meals, a practical galley-down layout, and rotating 3-hour watch shifts.
Standout Safety Feature
Seawind’s twin helm located on the same level as the saloon and cockpit surfaced as a major safety benefit when operating the boat offshore, especially when putting in reefs or shaking reefs out. Despite the twin helm arrangement, the protection of the coach roof, toughened glass windows and side clears, the helmsmen was never exposed to the elements and could add a reef using the single line reefing system without stepping outside of the cockpit or going forward. “Those helms are totally underrated on that boat and they are a major safety benefit,” Brent Said.
Verdict
Tom and Brent’s conclusion was unequivocal: the Seawind 1170 is a genuine offshore boat. At just under 40 feet, it punched well above its weight — combining the livability of a cruising catamaran with real bluewater capability. “That boat ate up those conditions offshore,” Brent said. “She felt strong, she felt safe — no concerns whatsoever,” Tom sail. For anyone considering a trans-Tasman passage or extended offshore cruising, this episode is a masterclass in preparation, weather strategy, and choosing the right boat for the job.
General Statistics
Rumb Line Total: 1,140 nautical miles
Total Miles Covered: 1,248 nautical miles
Total Days At Sea: 8.5
Average Speed: 6.3 knots
Top Speed: 16.6 knots
Deisel Consumed: 270 liters (approx. Half tank)
Seawind 1170 Offer
There is a factory special available from Seawind Europe with Med delivery offering a USD$50,000 discount on one boat only.
To get more information including the specifications and options included VISIT HERE.
Or contact the team on 1300 852 620 or sales@multihullcentral.com
Other News
Owning a catamaran represents freedom, comfort, and the ability to explore oceans with remarkable stability and space. Multihulls are increasingly popular among serious sailors, liveaboards, and long-range cruisers because they offer better onboard living areas and impressive performance for extended voyages.
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About the role
Based from our waterfront office and marina in Rozelle Bay, Sydney, we are a boutique charter management business that manages an exclusive fleet of sailing and power cruising catamarans, in conjunction with parent company and yacht sales company Multihull Central.
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Multihull Central focuses solely on multihulls. Every day, we interact with buyers looking for catamarans for sale in Australia, helping them determine which designs best suit their sailing plans, experience level, and long-term objectives.
My wife Tracey and I come from Sydney Australia. We recently completed a circumnavigation of the world. As a short summery we sailed over 35,000 nautical miles, we took four years to achieve this and we visited over 40 countries. Was it all we hoped it would be? Absolutely and then more. Was it challenging? Yes at times however also extremely rewarding. Did we choose the right Yacht for the Job? For us this was the perfect choice. Very Strong, well built, fast, comfortable and she looks great 😃. Would we recommend this journey to others? Yes in a heart beat.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Auckland, New Zealand – 3 February 2026
Seawind Catamarans return to New Zealand with purpose and momentum, unveiling the award-winning Seawind 1170 at the Auckland Boat Show from 5–8 March.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 04 February 2026
Multihull Central is pleased to announce its appointment as the exclusive dealer for Outremer Catamarans across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Under this new partnership, Multihull Central will also serve as the exclusive brokerage partner for Outremer vessels throughout the region
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 23 January 2026
Multihull enthusiasts are getting an exciting glimpse into the future of performance cruising as Seawind Catamarans advances construction of the very first Seawind 1270. On a recent tour of the Seawind production facility in Vietnam, we joined a new Australian owner walking through his customisation options and witnessing the craftsmanship behind this next generation model.
Testing the Seawind 1160 XL: Can Outboards Power a 40ft Cruising Cat?
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AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
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Glenn Ashby’s path to becoming sailing’s fastest catamaran legend began with a childhood moment that would define his career. At just three years old, sitting on the side of his father’s Arrow catamaran, he experienced the magic of a hull lifting clear of the water—everything going quiet as the boat accelerated smoothly through the breeze. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is unbelievable,'” Ashby recalls. “I really like going fast and I love flying a hull.”
Selling a catamaran is a major decision, and getting it right can make all the difference. Success comes down to the 4 P’s — Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Present your boat like an open home with repairs, cleaning, and styling done upfront to avoid objections. Set the right price based on actual sold-boat data, not just online listings, to capture serious buyers during the crucial first weeks. Location matters too — marinas with easy access, services, and strong buyer demand (like Sydney, Gold Coast, or Opua) can speed up sales. Finally, a strong marketing mix is essential: professional photos, online listings, social media, YouTube, eDMs, and boat shows ensure your catamaran reaches the right global audience.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 26 August 2025
Seawind Catamarans Unveils All-New 1160 XL: The Evolution of a Legend
Complete redesign of proven offshore performer features over 30 major improvements.
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From New Zealand to France: A Professional Sailor’s Journey Home in an Outremer 51
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AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 14 August 2025
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slipping costs and the like. Drop the rig, raise the centreboard, fold the floats to reduce beam to 2.5m, then haul the little tri onto a dual-axle alloy trailer.
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AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 16 October 2024
Multihull Central are excited to announce an all-new Regatta on Sydney Harbour dedicated to Multihulls, with an offer extended to all cruising and racing catamarans and trimarans with accommodation, including owners of Seawind, Corsair and all other brands who would like to enjoy racing on the world’s greatest harbour.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
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Maritime shepherd the fleet away from a visiting whale.
It’s certainly been a different winter on Sydney Harbour than usual, while there’s been plenty of sunshine, the breeze has not been so forthcoming. Normally winter consists of light sou-easters and the occasional fresh westerly, this time we’ve had gloriously sunny days with westerlies around five knots or lower, week after week, with a number of races abandoned as a result.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 5th September 2024
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Cruz Club is a 12 month program designed to help equip would-be cruisers who are inspired to set off exploring the world by sea but don’t yet have the skills, experience or a boat to do it on and want to get prepared and do it right and avoid making costly mistakes along the way.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
The HH44 was met with enthusiasm and rave reviews at the Cannes Yachting Festival, when it made its international debut last month. Throngs of visitors came out to see the HH44, declaring it “spectacular”, “stunning”, “the future” and “the best boat in the show”.
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Tips for Delivery by Sea – Asia to Australia / New Zealand
The Summer of 2022 / 2023 has been and interesting journey for many of our customers taking delivery of boats over this period. With country borders being opened up in earnest, this saw new boat owners taking delivery of their cruising catamarans on mass, as we helped coordinate deliveries of 4 x Seawinds and 1 x HH50 from Asia back to Australia and New Zealand. We have gained some new and valuable insights for those considering taking delivery in Asia.
So here are some key points to consider…
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brent Vaughan from HH Catamarans distributor Multihull Central, takes the HH50-SC ‘Synergy’ out sailing off the Gold Coast to test how it sails in lumpy conditions and light winds. Here is the full account and transcript that accompanies the sailing video.
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Here is his story:
The club has been formed with the objective of providing a means for multihull boat owners to build networks, learn about how others fix issues and engage in both cruising and racing/rallys whilst enjoying the social aspects that belonging to a club provides.
If you have ever considered swapping the suit & tie and air-conditioning, for deck shoes and salt air and running your own business, then a charter boat business might be just the thing you need to feed both your entrepreneurial and outdoor desires.
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MCYC is not just about Thursday night Twilight racing. We hold rallies to other ports and we support each other cruising around Australia
