Seawind Catamarans is pleased to confirm that the Seawind 1160XL has been nominated for the 2026 Multihull of the Year Award Election.
Introduced in 2025, the Seawind 1160 XL represents the latest development of Seawind’s well-established 39ft performance cruising catamaran platform. Despite its recent launch, the 1160 XL has already gained recognition within the international multihull community, earning nomination in one of the industry’s most respected, reader-voted awards.
The Multihull of the Year (MOTY) Award is decided by sailors and owners worldwide and recognises multihulls that demonstrate genuine relevance on the water through design, construction and sailing characteristics.
A considered evolution of a proven platform
The Seawind 1160 XL was developed with a clear objective: to increase internal volume, deck clearance and offshore capability, while retaining the sailing balance and responsiveness that have long defined the Seawind 1160 lineage.
To achieve this, the 1160 XL features a completely re-engineered hull and deck structure, designed from first principles and certified to ISO Category A (unlimited offshore).
Key aspects of the design include:
- Revised laminate engineering with targeted use of carbon fibre in high-load areas to manage displacement
- Slender hull forms to maintain efficient light-air performance and reduced resistance
- Reverse bow geometry to extend waterline length, improve buoyancy distribution and limit pitching
- Increased working sail area, providing effective drive without reliance on additional sails
Throughout the design process, the focus remained on delivering consistent, usable performance across a wide range of sailing conditions, rather than chasing headline speed figures.
Performance validated through sailing and testing
The Seawind 1160XL has undergone extensive sailing trials under both sail and power, including direct comparison with earlier Seawind models and contemporary cruising catamarans.
Under sail, the boat demonstrates efficient upwind angles, stable tracking and sustained boat speeds on working sails alone. Reaching performance comfortably exceeds expectations for a cruising catamaran of this size, while remaining balanced and predictable.
Twin Yamaha 25hp High Thrust Duo Prop outboards deliver dependable motoring performance with strong low-speed thrust, while fully clearing the water under sail to eliminate drag. The result is improved sailing efficiency, lower maintenance requirements and a propulsion solution aligned with real-world cruising use.
All performance observations are based on real sailing, measured data and owner feedback.
Designed around practical cruising use
Beyond performance, the 1160 XL reflects Seawind’s long-standing, owner-driven approach to design.
Wider hulls provide increased internal volume and headroom, while flat decks, higher lifelines and improved forward access enhance safety and ease of movement at sea. Storage capacity, deck ergonomics and systems access have been refined with extended cruising and short-handed sailing in mind.
The result is a catamaran that remains straightforward to sail, while offering the accommodation and comfort expected of a modern offshore cruising multihull.
Multihull of the Year voting
Being nominated for Multihull of the Year shortly after its release is a meaningful acknowledgment of the design intent behind the Seawind 1160 XL. If you value design innovation with breakthroughs in layout developed through real-world use, a balance between liveability and open-water capability, and specifications that define real-world performance under both sail and power, we invite you to support the Seawind 1160 XL in the 2026 Multihull of the Year vote.
Voting dates
- Voting opens: 12 February 2026
- Voting closes: 18 April 2026
- Winners announced: 22 April at the International Multihull Show
Voting for the 2026 Multihull of the Year Awards is now open.
Cast your vote here: https://www.multihulls-world.com/164/the-multihulls/votes/votes
NEW CATAMARAN
NEW CATAMARAN
