Independent guide: Not affiliated with Seawind. Model details vary; confirm with the builder's documentation and a rigger.

Quick answer

Seawind is an Australian-founded catamaran brand, and its boats are well represented in Australian cruising grounds. Many models are designed for easy short-handed sailing, often with a self-tacking jib. Rigs are deck-stepped with swept shrouds and no backstay. Inspection priorities are the forestay and its attachment, the self-tacking track and car, the chainplates and mast step, and the mainsail systems.

Inspection priorities

  1. Forestay, furler and forward attachment
  2. Self-tacking jib track, car and end stops
  3. Shroud chainplates
  4. Mast step and compression structure
  5. Mainsail halyard, reefing and lazy-bag

Services

Things to check on a Seawind

  • Self-tacking track and car. Every tack loads the car against its end stops; check fasteners, rollers and deck sealing.
  • Jib sheet lead. The sheet often turns through several blocks; check for chafe and worn sheaves.
  • Forestay and furler. The headsail stays on the furler for long periods in Australian sun; check the UV strip and swivel.
  • Chainplates and mast step. As on any catamaran, the compression structure under the mast deserves attention.

A re-rig plan for a Seawind catamaran

  1. Gather the records. Rig installation date, previous inspection reports and, for ex-charter boats, the operator's maintenance log.
  2. Book an inspection aloft to check the masthead, spreaders and upper terminals before committing to scope.
  3. Decide what else happens with the mast out: furler service, running rigging, masthead lights and instruments, and mainsail track and car.
  4. Check crane and berth capacity for the boat's beam and mast height before booking the lift.
  5. Inspect chainplates and the mast step while the rig is off.
  6. Restep, tune and sea trial, then re-tension after the first sail in a breeze.

Costs

Catamaran re-rigs usually cost more than a monohull of the same length. See catamaran re-rig costs, and ask for an itemised quote that shows the forestay attachment, bridle and mainsail systems as separate lines.

Frequently asked questions

Do Seawind catamarans use self-tacking jibs?

Many Seawind models are set up with a self-tacking jib to make short-handed sailing simpler. The jib track, car and sheet lead should be included in rigging inspections alongside the forestay and furler.

Where can I get a Seawind re-rigged in Australia?

Seawind catamarans are common along the east coast, and riggers in major centres such as Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast regularly work on catamarans. Check the yacht riggers directory and confirm the rigger has experience with self-tacking systems and catamaran crane lifts.