Seawind 1170 Debuts a New Era of Performance Cruising at the Auckland Boat Show
February 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Auckland, New Zealand – 4 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. Fresh from being named Multihull of the Year at the British Yachting Awards and newly built at Seawind’s advanced European facility in Turkey, the 1170 marks the beginning of a new generation of performance-driven cruising catamarans for Kiwi sailors.
This relaunch is powered by a strategic partnership between Multihull Central and Icon Azzure, combining decades of multihull expertise with deep local knowledge of New Zealand’s demanding coastal and offshore conditions.
A Catamaran Built for the Way Kiwis Sail
Designed for sailors who chase horizons rather than marinas, the Seawind 1170 blends offshore pedigree with modern cruising comfort. Its raked bows, flat decks, and square-top mainsail deliver a lively, responsive sailing experience, while the self-tacking jib, furling screecher, and spinnaker ensure versatility from light airs to ocean passages. Twin 29hp Yanmar engines provide reliable power when the breeze fades.
The first New Zealand-bound 1170 is currently sailing across the Tasman from Sydney — a fitting introduction for a model renowned for its bluewater capability. Following its debut at the show, the new owners will cast off again, joining the Island Cruising Rally to Fiji, demonstrating the boat’s offshore confidence straight out of the box.
Inside, Seawind’s signature indoor–outdoor saloon opens seamlessly to the cockpit, creating a protected, social space that suits New Zealand’s variable weather. The design reflects input from experienced sailors and has been refined through real-world cruising miles – not just computer modelling.
A Partnership Anchored in Experience
Multihull Central leads the relaunch, bringing one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most established multihull networks back to New Zealand shores.
“New Zealand is a natural home for Seawind,” says Brent Vaughan of Multihull Central. “Kiwi sailors demand performance, safety, and durability. The Seawind 1170 delivers all three in a proven, award-winning package.”
Vaughan notes that Seawind’s global production footprint also opens up new delivery pathways for owners.
“Whether you take delivery in the Mediterranean or prefer Thailand on one of Seawind’s other production models, there are very competitive options available for the liveaboard cruiser.”
Icon Azzure will provide local representation, onboarding, and after-sales support, ensuring owners enjoy a seamless experience from first enquiry through to long-term cruising.
“Partnering with Multihull Central allows us to bring some of the world’s most exciting multihulls directly to New Zealand buyers,” says Steve Thomas of Icon Azzure.
“The Seawind 1170 is an exceptional showcase of what the brand represents. Its debut at this year’s boat show is a milestone we’re proud to share.”
See It at the Auckland Boat Show
The Seawind 1170 will be available for on-water viewings throughout the show. Prospective owners can step aboard, explore the layout, and experience firsthand why the model has earned global acclaim.
With its offshore capability, modern design, and renewed commitment to the New Zealand market, the Seawind 1170 sets a bold course for the next chapter of performance cruising catamarans.
Explore more:
Test sail video: Test Sailing the Seawind 1170
Factory tour video: How a Seawind is Built
Hi-res images: Seawind 1170 Sweet Disposition
For more information or to arrange a private viewing:
Multihull Central
Brent Vaughan
M: 0418 670 751 E: brent@multihullcentral.com
Icon Azzure
Steve Thomas
M: 0274 459 197 E: steve.thomas@iconazure.com
About Seawind Catamarans
Founded in Australia, Seawind Catamarans builds performance-oriented cruising catamarans designed for bluewater sailing. With manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and Turkey, the company produces models from 35 to 43 feet, each focused on offshore capability, innovative design, and exceptional value. Seawind catamarans have completed countless ocean crossings and circumnavigations, earning a global reputation for reliability and adventure-ready engineering.
About Multihull Central
Multihull Central is the exclusive distributor for Seawind Catamarans in Australia and New Zealand. As specialist multihull resellers, they offer a complete ecosystem of services for new boat owners, including sail training, bareboat holidays, Cruz Club, charter management, commissioning, warranty support, and after-sales service.
About Icon Azure
Icon Azure specializes in premium yachts and launches for clients who demand more—from luxury that celebrates your achievements to adventure-ready vessels that command New
Zealand’s azure waters and beyond. We provide bespoke brokerage service, elite inventory, and the expertise to turn your vision of escape into reality.
For media contact Brent Vaughan | M: 0418 670 751 |
E: brent@multihullcentral.com
Seawind 1170 at Auckland Boat Show
Other News
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?
The latest Seawind 1160 XL represents a bold evolution in cruising catamaran design, breaking new ground by pairing a 40-foot platform with twin 50 horsepower Yamaha high-thrust outboard engines challenging conventional thinking about propulsion systems for cruising catamarans.
We recently had the pleasure of handing over a new Seawind 1260 in Sydney after it was shipped to Australia. After a 4 year wait, overcoming various challenges along the way, the owners finally took delivery and sailed her back to their home port in Victoria. Below is a delightful message just received of their experience…
Cruising Thailand’s Islands: First Look at the Seawind 1160 XL
David Cox, owner of a Seawind 1160 Light and Vice Commodore of the Multihull Cruising Yacht Club in Sydney, recently returned from a week-long adventure sailing Thailand’s Koh Chang Islands aboard the brand-new Seawind 1160 XL—serial number one, no less. His experience offers valuable insights for anyone considering Thailand as a cruising destination or evaluating the XL model’s capabilities.
Seawind Catamarans has a proud history of supporting its owners in many ways, one of the more notable being the conduct of rallies and regattas all over the world. In Australia these have occurred in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Whitsundays and Brisbane.
The Brisbane event has a long history. Indeed it was an an event in 2008 that I was invited to crew on a boat, Next Phase, and as a result ordered my first Seawind. So in 2025, after a false start earlier in the year due to adverse weather and a number of other issues we held a very successful regatta on 15, 15 and 16 November. The event was the product of an enthusiastic group of owners.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 3 October 2025
The much-anticipated Seawind 1270 has officially launched, and it’s poised to revolutionize the 40-foot catamaran market. This isn’t just an incremental update—it’s a complete redesign that builds on the legendary success of the Seawind 1260 while introducing features never before seen on a Seawind of this size.
From America’s Cup to Catamaran Cruising: The Epic Journey of Glenn Ashby
Brent Vaughan interviews Catamaran racing legend and America’s Cup hero, Glenn Ashby about his wild achievements that led him to become the fastest sailor alive and now cruising on the cruising lifestyle on a catamaran.
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.
Seawind Catamarans and Australian distributors Multihull Central today announced the launch of the highly anticipated next generation Seawind 1160 XL at the upcoming Sydney International Boat Show in November.
From New Zealand to France: A Professional Sailor’s Journey Home in an Outremer 51
When veteran ocean racer Mike Golding decided to transition from competitive sailing to family cruising, he knew exactly what he was looking for. The former Vendée Globe competitor, who had completed six around-the-world races in his illustrious career, needed a vessel capable of serious ocean passages while providing the comfort and space his family deserved. His choice? A late-model Outremer 51 purchased through Multihull Central’s New Zealand operation.
AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Sydney, Australia – 14 August 2025
A new sailing podcast has been launched called ‘2 Hulls 1 Life’ hosted by Brent Vaughan, Managing Director of Multihull Central, who interviews inspirational sailors about their adventures cruising the world onboard their catamarans.
The show is designed to help educate, inform and inspire anyone who has considered the cruising lifestyle and explores subjects such as the Pacific rally, Sail Malaysia Rally, professional delivery crews, charter boat ownership, Seakeepers research and major passages crossing the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It will also delve into the design attributes of various cruising catamarans.
Fourteen knots of boat speed closehauled, 17 on a power reach and 20+ under kite – numbers normally associated with a supermaxi like Comanche, but here we’re referring to a pocket multihull that’s 24.2m shorter and a metre narrower, even with its amas outstretched like albatross wings.
The Corsair 880 is way easier to sail and considerably cheaper, and you can forget expensive ocean deliveries, marina fees,
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.
From Charter Investment to Pacific Paradise: How One Couple Made Their Cruising Dreams Reality
When Colonel David Burke first bought a Seawind 1160 and put it into charter, he had no idea it would become the foundation for an extraordinary Pacific cruising adventure. Now, sitting in the pristine Lau Group of Fiji aboard his upgraded Seawind 1260, David’s story demonstrates how charter boat ownership can be the perfect stepping stone to achieving blue water cruising dreams.
Paul Hooge and his wife transitioned from life in Colorado to full-time cruising after retiring. With little sailing experience, they purchased a Seawind 1370 and decided to commission it in Thailand instead of shipping it home. With support from local expert Phil Harper, they prepared the boat and joined the Sail Malaysia Rally—a multi-month cruising event from Langkawi through Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo.
The rally offered a mix of structured events and independent sailing, giving them access to stunning, less-traveled places like the Anambas and Natuna Islands. Along the way, they connected with local communities, joined parades, and received warm welcomes from various ports.
Despite initial inexperience, they successfully navigated the rally with help from fellow cruisers and the Seawind 1370’s performance. Paul praised the boat’s comfort, handling, and visibility, calling the journey both challenging and unforgettable.
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…
Sydney, Australia – 25 September 2024
Seawind Catamarans returns to the Melbourne Boat Show with Australian distributor Multihull Central, showing a brand new Seawind 1160 Lite catamaran now available to bareboat charter with Riviera Nautic on the Gippsland Lakes.
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
The world’s most popular sailing trimaran is making a resurgence in Australia with two brand new pre-sold Corsair 880s arriving in Sydney this week for assembly by distributor Multihull Central, alongside a third also on display.
The Bay to Bay Regatta had been on my bucket list for a few years now and seeing this year it landed on my birthday, I decided it was an opportunity not to be missed. So I phoned up my mate Steve Medwell who I used to sail Tornadoes and F18s with and invited him along for a ride. The ride was our new award winning Corsair 760 trimaran.
Whether you are a first time sailor, or an experienced around the world circumnavigator, the iconic Australian-owned and founded Seawind brand has a boat and design for you for all levels of experience and planned adventures. But with four boats that are only a few feet apart in length, it can get tricky to decide which is the right boat to choose and the best fit for you. So, we have put together these special buyers guide to help unpack the design concept behind each and its characteristics, its pros and cons, and who we recommend them for to help you select not necessarily the most expensive boat, but the best boat for you.
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”.
HH Catamarans has named Multihull Central as the exclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand as the up and coming brand of high performance catamarans releasing some innovative new designs and ramps up production for their new44 and 50foot models.
One of the world’s most popular and prolific YouTube sailing channels, Gone with the Wynns, have just announced their purchase of a new ecofriendly hybrid-electric HH44 sailing catamaran. The HH44 ‘Ocean Cruiser’ version is a high-performance cruising catamaran designed to sail around the world sustainably and efficiently while also providing a luxurious living platform for couples and families travelling the world.
Multihull Central announced the new Corsair 880 is on its way to Australia to be showcased at the upcoming Sydney International Boat Show.
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.
We plan to take our little Seawind 1000 catamaran ‘Seabbatical’ from Sydney Harbour, to Lady Musgrave Island. As I still have the demands of running a business and kids at school, this will be a mini seabbatical and so finding time is important but demanding.
‘Pirate Pete’ is the proud new owner of the brand new Seawind 1260, that Cumberland Charter Yachts will be welcoming in to the fleet in August this year. We asked him what his background story was in buying the Seawind 1260 and why he chose to have it chartered in the Whitsundays.
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.
Charter boat ownership is a great way to accelerate buying your dream boat, profit from strong demand in the tourism industry and provides a fully managed solution to boat ownership while you are still busy working and with family commitments.
MCYC is not just about Thursday night Twilight racing. We hold rallies to other ports and we support each other cruising around Australia