2007 FGI-Seawind Regatta a record breaker

by Peter Heiniger on 18 Nov 2007 The year’s annual FGI-Seawind Regatta is being hailed as one of the biggest single-brand sailing events of its type staged in the world.

Attracting a record 34 starters from all over NSW, the three-day event (October 26-28) on Sydney’s spectacular Pittwater section of Broken Bay has also been hailed as the most successful regatta in Seawind Catamaran’s 25-year history.

The previous record year, 2005, saw 28 Seawind cats take to the water. The 2006 regatta attracted – starters.

'It’s going to be challenging to top this year’s event – both in terms of turnout and sheer crew enjoyment,' a satisfied Seawind Catamarans’ Managing Director, Richard Ward, said.

'There’s not another regatta of its type, centring on multihull boats from a single manufacturer, in Australia.'

Of the boats participating, 20 were Seawind 1000s, six were Seawind 1160s and four were the recently launched Seawind 100XL. There were also two Seawind 850s, a Seawind 1200 and a veteran Seawind 24, one of the company’s first products.

'Close on 200 crew members took part, adding to the event’s sense of camaraderie,' Seawind Marketing and Sales Manager, Brent Vaughan, said.

The regatta, supported by this year’s Gold Sponsor, Fibre Glass International (FGI), kicked off with a Friday twilight fun race followed by the traditional cocktail party at Newport’s Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC).

Despite the evening’s rain, the following day dawned on what promised to be a weekend of spectacular sailing weather.

The first Saturday race, in light 5-10 knot conditions, was followed by a raft-up lunch at The Basin, and an afternoon race in similar 5-knot conditions.

'Ironically, throughout the lunch break, a brisk 12-15 knot breeze blew across Pittwater,' Vaughan said.

' However, these light, challenging racing conditions only added to the relaxed, informal, fun atmosphere.'

As has become tradition, coffees and icecreams were provided by regular sponsor Finlease from its aptly-named Cappacino Boat during the lunchtime raftup between races while the onboard BBQs were blazing.

That evening, the regatta’s traditional Pig on the Spit dinner was held under a giant marquee erected up from the beach in The Basin, and crew members were treated to a live band and a spectacular 25th Anniversary cake in the shape of a Seawind 1160 – complete with sails and rigging! And all walked away with prizes thanks to the great support from the sponsors, particularly GME who gave away a VHF radio, GPS & EPIRB!


Sunday’s action started with a barbeque breakfast at The Basin, followed by the Sunday Fun Run race back to the RMYC.

Overall regatta winner was Phil Amos, on his Seawind 1000 Alize – which also took out the overall Seawind 1000 Division.

While everyone entered the spirit of dressing up for the occasion, the Best-Dressed Boat prize went to the pirate crew of Margaritaville, who showered passers-by with exploding party streamers from several onboard cannons!

Seawind Catamarans has been chalking up record orders this year, with eight-multi-award winning 1160s and four new 35ft Seawind 1000XLs being sold at the recent Sydney Boat Show. This followed on from 10 sales at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Most recently, four more orders were taken at the Annapolis Boat Show in the US, pushing production through to the end of 2009.

Seawind Catamarans plans on lifting production from one cat a fortnight to one a week, and construction of another factory at the company’s Bellambi site near Wollongong is due to start before Christmas.

Seawind Catamarans are also looking forward to more upcoming events including the Seawind Moreton Bay Regatta later this month, and then next year the Whitsunday Rally in June and others in Australia and the USA.

'Whatever happens at next year’s 10th annual regatta, the die is already set . . . those taking part can expect maximum fun and enjoyment regardless of how they place,' Ward said.