Our Reality of a Brand New Boat

Dear Billy & Sierra, Many thanks for posting this latest comment that will, I hope, help put this situation into some better perspective. I am posting this comment to you both but also for your many TES followers who of course are following here closely. Firstly, I want to publicly acknowledge and apologize for the frustration and inconvenience you have experienced with number of warranty issues of this new Seawind. Even though this was the first boat of a brand new model & design, this level of warranty issues is totally unacceptable for everyone including, and especially, ourselves. I personally test sailed this boat when first launched. The test sail was along 200 miles of unprotected coastal waters in 3 to 4 meter seas and with winds to over 30 knots. This test found a number of issues that needed attention, but none of these were structural issues. The boat sailed beautifully without even the slightest creak both upwind or downwind. I believe these characteristics are in accord with your extensive sailing experiences on Laurie Sue and we have seen your delight in sailing her through your channel, demonstrating good sailing performance and structural integrity. Despite your many frustrations, I was very pleased to know you still believe you have made the right choice with your description of “the best 40ft and under sailing catamaran out there in terms comfort, functionality and sailing ability”. As you know, 1170 Hull 1 was actually built for me personally but you both had waited long enough during covid 19 and I then made the decision to send this boat to you and then take a subsequent boat for myself. As I was involved in much of the testing of this boat to my satisfaction, I then felt this was a right thing to do. Obviously, I don’t think this now and I unreservedly apologize to you both. However, I want to reassure you and your audience of the following important points: • We will continue to provide full & total warranty support to ensure that “Laurie Sue” is as perfect as possible. This includes the deck non-slip which will be repaired to as new condition at a time convenient to you both. • This boat was the first of a brand new design & model. It was developed during an unbelievably difficult Covid time. It does not reflect what any subsequent SW1170 buyer should expect. • We have taken note of every issue and incorporated all the improvements into subsequent 1170s being built. We have re-surfaced the deck mold to ensure that subsequent SW1170’s are built to the same high standard that all Seawinds enjoy. The Seawind 1170, from hull 3 onwards, is being built in our brand new Seawind facility in Izmir, Turkiye and I am personally taking delivery of the first SW1170 from this new production line. I’ve done this to ensure that we can completely test and experience the boat from the new factory. SW1170-03 will be extensively tested over thousands of sailing miles before 1170-04 is delivered. This new boat, along with a new SW1370, will be exhibited in Cannes in September. Lastly, this experience has been of great concern to me and Seawind as a company. We are placing renewed importance on systems design & build quality for every aspect of every boat. We are strengthening our QA and inspection process, a process that starts on commencement of the production and proceeds through to every stage until launch. I give you & everyone out there my full assurance that Seawind will always stand behind its product. We won’t always be 100% perfect, but we will strive to be. With best regards to all Richard Ward - CEO Seawind Catamarans

Are you joking? Y’all keep referring to these issues as ‘little’. A incorrect gasket material disintegrating and clogging the fuel system is not a little thing. You two are being very gracious and patient. As a two time new boat owner I feel your pain. Good luck in the future 👍

I’m astonished that you are so tolerant of the Gelcoat issue, to me that’s completely unacceptable.

There’s been quite a lot of negativity in the comments below and we think many people took what we were trying to say a bit too far. Our sole intent with this video was to let people know a bit of what our realty has been with this new boat and to hopefully inform future new boat owners of what they may want to expect so that they are not caught off guard with the shake down period of a new boat. No new boat is perfect and this is not the automobile industry with BILLIONS invested in manufacturing so it's not really a fair comparison because as good as production boat brands may get they will never be 100%. As many problems as there has been with our boat none of them have been major structural issues or anything that has prevented us from using the boat and going sailing. Seawind has been responsive in fixing the issues and paying for the expenses involved which is a whole lot more than some of the nightmare stories we have heard from most other production brands in the industry.  There are a number of reasons why we had so many fit-out and QC issues but at the end of the day we all know (Seawind included) that these are just excuses. Seawind promises to fix our last few remaining warranty items and have begun to plan proper nonskid panel replacements already. Additionally, future Seawind 1170's are being produced in Seawind's new 1170 factory in Turkey and we have high hopes that workmanship and QC will be greatly improved. Lastly, despite these warranty issues, we still love this boat and believe it is the best 40' and under sailing catamaran out there in terms of comfort, functionality, and sailing ability.

I never understood how people have to apologize for making videos complaining about the quality of their boat. The amount of money you guys paid for that new boat, everything should be perfect. The gelcoat problem is mind-blowing to me. That is going to be such a bigger problem in the future. In any case, stop apologizing and saying how lucky you are to be in that situation. You guys probably worked your asses off to get to that point and you deserve it.

I purchased a new Lagoon 400S2 catamaran and had no warranty issues at all. I believe that my dealer was the difference, the first 6 years was a wonderful honeymoon. Everything worked, nothing broke. All my pumps are now 10 years old and still going strong, I have 43,000 nautical miles and have just completed my first major refit.

Billy and Sierra y’all stand your ground. Document and take pictures of every single thing from the very smallest to the largest. Little problems if not remedied immediately can lead to bigger issues. I have always found even up to today, if you put off something being repaired that you have paid for, everyone takes advantage of you and a lot will say forget about you and move on to another job or taking someone else’s money on a new job. The boat should have never left the factory with any leaks whatsoever. Be polite always but be firm on getting fixed what should have never been broken in the first place. Keep records, dates and times of calls, conversations, personal meetings, etc. 👍😎🙏🏼😎✌️

You guys are being much kinder than I could have been. Brutal.

You just save a lot people from a ton of grief.

You guys are being WAAAY to generous and kind to Seawind. Kudos for some of your points, such as going to the factory at least once for a pre-acceptance inspection. But having owned and operated many boats, including new, this boat ranks pretty low on my shoddy construction meter! Unfortunately, many of the issues you are having reflect directly on the factory, both in design, materials selection, fabrication/installation, and quality control. That Gelcoat issue is huge and indicative of multiple failure points in initial mold prep and Gelcoat application. It will never be fixed short of sanding/grinding it back, fairing it all out, and unfortunately probably final finish with an epoxy paint final coat. The fact that the factory specified and/or allowed the use of a completely inappropriate gasket material speaks volumes about what’s going on (or NOT going on!) in their design/engineering/QC divisions. Lastly, the flooring, like the Gelcoat is a huge failure in product (adhesives) selection and materials compatibility assurance. Sorry guys… love your videos. We’re huge fans of you kids. I realize you’re still trying to get warranty work done, so I get your reluctance to be too critical of the builder. But Seawind delivered you a shit sandwich. And when boat builders do this, they need to be called out on it.

You do not come across as negative or unappreciative. I appreciate the straight talk. Love your videos. Keep up the good work. This one reminds me of houses I’ve owned, equipment I’ve bought for the company that I work for. The best fabricators in the world are not perfect. How they respond to the issues is what matters in the end.

I love when Billy is talking and Sierra is just sitting there with her half smile or smirk. All I can think of is I’m Ricky Bobby and I’m not sure what to do with my hands but for her it’s her awesome grin!

Not the only YouTube channel complaining about Seawind commissioning issues.

The small stuff adds up!! This was not negative at all it is just reality.

Guys, you are both so positive, constructive and admirable!! We have been through a similar journey with our Seawind 1600 Womble (delivered in Miami) which we have been living aboard and ocean sailing for 3 years now. Our warranty work was carried out in various islands across the Pacific and in New Zealand. The most frustrating thing is the loss of time but Seawind have been and continue to be constantly supportive in supplying people (big shout out to Paul here!) or upgraded equipment when needed. However, Womble is now dialled in and is a very robust and reliable blue water cruiser, but it was a year plus journey to hone her into what she is today. I think your video is a really authentic view of the time it takes to bed in a new boat for live-aboard cruisers who intend to use their boats to explore and adventure. New Owners must ensure they are buying a brand that has a proven history of supporting their customers. We have met too many boat owners who have had a really tough time getting warranty work sorted out.

A lifetime boater’s one piece of advice to me was, Never buy a brand new boat, always let somebody else figure out all the flaws. Boats unlike cars are built one at a time and at that pace there is very little chance that the builder can ever get good enough to build it flawless the first time. Love the Channel, give Jetty a hug for me. 💓

And you guys didn’t tell us all the issues?!?!? Where the HELL is quality control?

I have a cousin who purchased a new boat last year. He is going through the same processes. I suspect manufacturers are still coming off the COVID times, where you couldn't get help, or the help you could was substandard...and that went for all the component suppliers, etc...but that mess should be working its' way out of the supply chain by now. You two are smart and very aware when it comes to issues...a LOT of people are not on top of things. We purchased a new RV last year, a 40 Ft fifth wheel Toy hauler. We have been doing the RV thing for 40 years, this is our 7th unit. We bought from a dealer where I have a close friend in the Senior service Technician. Once the deposit was paid he took it into Pre Delivery Inspection and it spent over a week there as he went through every system and fixed everything that was wrong. I knew when we hooked up to it it was right, and it has been flawless since. Billy and Sierra are right...the Pre Delivery inspection is a HUGE issue with any of these big purchases. Take the time, whatever it takes

The Gel Coat issue is very concerning. Recall all of the Blister Hulls in the late 60s and 70s so hope it gets resolved

Ruby Rose 2 had had a bad time with their SeaWind too and they were at the factory the whole time.