Sailing High

The Seawind 1160 catamaran has won a string of awards for Bellambi's Seawind Catamarans.

By Paul Fahy

BELLAMBI'S Seawind Catamarans will vie for the Boat of the Year award at the world's biggest sailboat show next week and the company has every reason to be optimistic.

The boat builders are enjoying an amazing winning run with their Seawind 1160 catamaran.

The 1160 won the Australian Sailboat of the Year award in 2005 and beat off more than 20 international challengers to take the title of Best New Sailboat at the Newport International Boat Show in Rhode Island last week.

With the string of victories, Seawind will enter the monster Annapolis Boat Show on October 5 with the wind in its sails.

"It has put us in a nice position, so we just have to cross our fingers," marketing and sales manager Brent Vaughan said.

"For a little company in Bellambi to get this kind of international attention is quite exciting."

Victory at the famous Newport Harbour where Australia II won the America's Cup in 1983 was recognition for years of innovative work for the team at Seawind. The 1160 has won praise for its unique layout that offers extraordinary space and natural interior light through the use of a specially designed tri-fold door.

Mr Vaughan said the catamaran had proved particular popular with the grey nomads' retirees looking to travel and explore the world.

"We have orders going into 2008, which is basically unheard of for an Australian sailboat company," he said.

Seawind plans to expand its 80-strong workforce over the coming year to cope with demand. Managing director Richard Ward is currently in the USA for an extensive east coast tour with the 1160 and will be at the Annapolis show for the big announcement.