{"id":289047,"date":"2026-02-18T00:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T00:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/289047\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T00:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T00:11:18","slug":"eight-days-across-the-tasman-on-a-seawind-1170","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/289047\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight days across the Tasman on a Seawind 1170"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Auckland Boat Show bound Seawind 1170, Sweet Disposition, is covering nearly 1200 miles of Tasman Sea on her delivery from Sydney to Auckland.<\/p>\n

Brent Vaughan of Multihull Central and skipper Tom departed Sydney, pointing the bows toward Cape Reinga for the crossing. The objective was straightforward: deliver the boat to Auckland while putting the 1170 through a genuine offshore passage.<\/p>\n

Before departure, Vaughan was clear about the opportunity ahead. \u201cWe\u2019re actually going to have the opportunity to really test the Seawind 1170 in those conditions with varied winds and varied seas and see how she goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Punching into it<\/p>\n

The opening stretch delivered 16 to 18 knots and steady progress, with the 1170 sailing consistently in the sevens and occasionally into the mid eights. \u201cVery comfortable, nice sea state so overall the boat\u2019s performing well,\u201d Vaughan reported.<\/p>\n

Conditions strengthened overnight. The breeze built to around 30 knots, with lumpy seas on the nose at roughly 40 degrees apparent. Three reefs were set in the main in darkness.<\/p>\n

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\u201cReally good test for the bows, you just feel them punching through the swell and riding over them,\u201d Vaughan said.<\/p>\n

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By morning the wind eased into the low twenties and the boat settled into an eight knot beam reach. After several days working to windward, a southerly change came through at 4.30am. \u201cWe\u2019ve been sitting on 25s up to 30 knots during the day,\u201d Vaughan said, noting that although the sea built, the boat was \u201chandling really well\u201d as they shaped a more direct course toward New Zealand.<\/p>\n

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Living aboard at sea<\/p>\n

The passage also demonstrated the 1170\u2019s practicality offshore. In the starboard hull galley, Tom described it as \u201ca really usable space at sea\u2026 you feel really enclosed in here with real good visibility.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Provisioning for the crossing included frozen meals, canned backups and ample snacks. \u201cMake it as easy as possible,\u201d Tom said.<\/p>\n

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At the navigation desk, PredictWind routing, Starlink connectivity and a swivelling chartplotter allowed watchkeeping from inside the saloon. \u201cWe can keep watch here day and night quite comfortably,\u201d Vaughan explained, noting the ability to lean back and check sail trim through the tall cabin windows.<\/p>\n

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The twin helm layout proved particularly effective. \u201cMost of the time when you come out here on the helm offshore, it\u2019s not for sailing generally, it\u2019s actually for shaping reefs out or putting reefs in,\u201d Vaughan said. Importantly, reefs could be adjusted \u201cwithout actually exiting the cockpit at all and exposing ourselves to the conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wide side decks, 800mm safety rails and flat working areas allowed safe movement forward, even in 2.5 metre seas.<\/p>\n

Approaching North Cape<\/p>\n

With approximately 200 miles remaining, routing became critical. \u201cYou can enter your boat\u2019s polars into the programme and then basically get it to chart you a weather course to your destination,\u201d Tom said, monitoring forecasts of 25 to 30 knots and 3.5 to 4 metre swell around North Cape.<\/p>\n

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As the New Zealand coastline rose ahead, the outcome was evident. The Seawind 1170 had not simply been delivered. She had completed a full Tasman crossing, tested in varied conditions.<\/p>\n

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Seawind Catamarans will be showcasing their award-winning Seawind 1170 at the Auckland Boat Show from 5\u20138 March. Fresh from being named Multihull of the Year at the British Yachting Awards and newly built at Seawind\u2019s advanced European facility in Turkey, the 1170 marks the beginning of a new generation of performance-driven cruising catamarans for Kiwi sailors.<\/p>\n

Seawind 1170 showcased at Auckland Boat Show as Seawind strengthens New Zealand partnership<\/a><\/p>\n

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