Boat in a box - Seawind opens market with new catamaran cruiser +Video
by Sarah Ruggiero on 25 May 2012
The Seawind 950 is designed for a couple, but is also ideal for families and charters - Seawind 950 Launch Sarah Ruggiero
Seawind Catamarans revealed a revolutionary strategy for tackling the international market with the launch of their latest catamaran during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Thursday. Marketed as a ‘boat in a box’, the Seawind 950 Catamaran is intentionally designed to ship anywhere in the world in two 40ft containers.
'There will be no restrictions with where we can send this boat,' said Richard Ward, CEO of Seawind Catamarans. 'If a buyer is in the Great Lakes of America, if he’s up in some remote lake of Canada, if he’s Russian and wants the boat for the Baltic Sea; these have all been destinations that have all been off our radar.'
Once too expensive to ship as deck cargo, the 32ft catamaran is now exported often.
'Sending them in two 40ft contains is incredibly cheap and in two days, the guy, whether he’s in Latvia or Sweden or Vladivostok, can put it together with just himself and his partner,' said Ward.
Ward predicts the 30ft vessel’s modular packing coupled with a smaller price tag will widen the market for Seawinds even more.
'It will open up catamaran sailing to people that are in that price range,' said Ward. 'There aren’t enough catamarans that are catering to that end of the market.'
In addition to easy transport and affordability, the 950 allows for safe and reliable assembly due to minimal structural bolting.
'It would take you and I maybe two days to put it together, it’s that simple,' said Ward. 'You don’t need any more skills that what it takes to tie your shoelaces.'
As an entry-level cruising catamaran, Ward explains that the Seawind 950 is just as easy to operate as it is to ship and assemble.
'It’s a boat that’s super easy single-handed, but it’s designed for a couple,' said Ward.
According to Ward, the 950 is also perfect for both family use and chartering. Configured around a spacious galley, the 950’s open plan living design features two large double cabins, a child bunk or third cabin, shower, and an outdoor cockpit and saloon, the table of which converts into a bed or sofa.
Buyers can chose either an overlapping or a self-tacking jib, in addition to a fully battened mainsail and twin 9.9hp Yamaha high-thrust outboards.
Ward is proud of the ‘boat in a box’ debut and plans to continue Seawind’s performance based philosophy and signature style.
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