It's Monday morning and chances are you're huddled around the water cooler at work conducting the typical weekend post mortem. The 20 somethings discuss their night out with world weary cynicism, but oddly enough still manage to remember precisely what they did, when and with whom; the 30 somethings didn't go anywhere or do anything- they've usually got young kids; but from 40 onwards people tend to be cashed up and know the value of a good weekend. If you're lucky enough to own a Seawind catamaran chances are that you've just managed to make the rest of the water cooler crowd green with envy.
One of the reasons Seawind is such a success is that they take care of their clients post sale. Like many successful boat manufacturers, they've realised that most people like to enjoy their boats in company, and last weekend they hosted their latest owners' event. A fleet of approximately 35 boats attended a Pittwater regatta, with racing on Friday and Saturday and a leisurely cruise back to the yacht club on Sunday.
Sail-World spoke to Seawind's Marketing Manager Brent Vaughan on Saturday as he was lounging on the deck of a Seawind 1000XL, catching the rays and enjoying a laid back race to The Basin in light south easterly winds. (For the uninitiated the Basin is a spectacular lagoon on the eastern side of Pittwater which is surrounded by bush and has been netted off for swimming. The western side is bordered by the magnificent Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.)
'We've got an absolutely beautiful day with warm sunshine, there was a bit of a south-easterly this morning and then that connected with the northerly that's supposed to come later this afternoon, so we've got very little breeze, only about 5 knots.'
The weekend started well for the Seawind owners with a invitation race in a perfect 15 knot north easterly. The beautifully named Manyana, (flashback to the tropics: new resident 'but you said you'd deliver my new fridge two weeks ago.' Fridge seller, in a soothing tone with a beatific smile, and purrs 'eh, manyana!') was the winner in a close race. Skippered by Tony Wainright, Manyana held on to just beat Endless Summer, a Seawind 1000XL, over the finish line.
A highlight of Friday evening was the Harken cocktail party at the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Newport, and an appearance by Darren Bundock, aka the Tornado King. There was a general scrum to secure Bundock as crew for Saturday racing. (How often do you get to have an Olympic medallist on your boat? Sail-World hears that the boat he ended up racing on was hit with a Beijing sized handicap.) Richard Ward, Seawind founder, was also in attendance and spent the weekend racing with owners.
The cocktail party included the launch of the Seawind Cruising Club website which features forums, blogs, photo galleries and more, while Olympic Silver medalist Darren "Bundy" Bundock was interviewed by Brent Vaughan, on his Olympic experience in China and his catamaran sailing career. Kids flocked to get Bundock's autograph while many other guests stopped to get their photo taken with Bundock and his Silver medal.
Saturday morning kicked off with laid back racing in lighter conditions, with a course that ended at midday with a raft up next to Scotland Island for lunch. The Finlease cappuccino boat made its welcome presence felt with damned good coffee and delicious ice cream and everyone either lay around and gorged, or socialised, or did a bit of both. The weather continued its perfect form and everyone said that winter was a distant memory.
Saturday afternoon was an opportunity to work off some carbs with a race around Lion Island, then onto the Basin, followed by a spit roast dinner and a presentation ceremony. A 16 x 9m marquee was set up, Seawind hired a small cottage and the party kicked on into the small hours. Prizes included Wild Oats wine, a chain counter from Muir Winches, Club Marine vouchers, a Lifetag system from Ray Marine and very desirable Ronstan watches.
'It's a really nice night and it's completely secluded down there. You can only get there by water.' said Brent Vaughan, from his reclining position on a brand new Seawind.
'We give good really good prizes, not necessarily for those that are the fastest but those who have the best time. There are prizes for the best dressed boat and those we went the wrong way by accident.'
Vaughan laughed when he was asked if there was likely to be a prize for the 'Most Spectacular Grounding'? 'Thankfully not' he replied.
Other great prizes were on offer from sponsors FGI, Finlease, GME, Tempo Spars, Whitsunday Rent A Yacht, UK Halsey, and Yanmar. Secondary sponsors included Oatley Wines, B & L Supplies and Smart Boating, Hunts Marine, Barracouta Sails, Club Marine, Muir Winches, Raymarine, RW Basham, Ronstan, Tunbridge Signs, High Modulus & Sheets Ahoy.
Race results were as follows:
Overall Handicap Winner: Seawind 1000 "Felix" William King
Seawind 1160 Winner: One More Steve Liddell
Seawind 1000XL Winner: Endless Summer Rohan Walter
Seawind 1000 Winner: Alize Phil Amos
Sunday morning saw relaxed cruising back to the yacht club, with the fleet arriving in plenty of time for people to pack up and cruise, fly or drive home.
'We have a few boats from Jervis Bay, some from Port Stephens, and we've had some people fly in from Hervey Bay, and people fly in from Tasmania. People come in from all over the area.'
The Seawind team pulled out all the stops to make sure that the weekend went without a hitch and that everyone had a whale of a time. Two brand new boats were delivered just before the weekend, with Jim and Betty Goldring's new Seawind 1000XL arriving at 2am Saturday morning, and was out racing later that morning. John and Fiona Weiner took delivery of their new Seawind 1160 on Friday afternoon and were soon out racing too.
'That boat (the Seawind 1160) won all of the awards last year in America, such as the Best Cruising Catamaran and Most Innovative Sail Boat in America.'
So how was your weekend? Did it involve racing and cruising in a beautiful location, delicious food, smashing company, great boats and some really desirable prizes? If not, it may be time to either buy yourself a Seawind or make friends with someone who needs crew. For details of Seawind's next event in Moreton Bay, Brisbane, visit the Seawind website.
www.seawindcats.com
Telephone: 02 42859985
Fax: 02 4285 9984
Lot 4, York Road
Bellambi NSW 2518
Australia
by Jardine Media
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