Seawind Catamarans is continuing to target the European market, ramping up production at its new manufacturing factory in Izmir, Turkey, and opening an additional facility.
The factory is purpose-built for manufacturing catamarans up to 42ft in length and is managed by Seawind Europe’s managing partner, Kivanc Kardes.
It was officially opened in September 2023 with the first hull from the facility launched in August 2024.
The third hull is expected to be completed in February 2025 and production is now being increased to achieve a capacity of 12 boats per year.
The plant is located in the Izmir Free Zone in the northern part of the city, and manufactures the new Seawind 1170 model.
The facility also serves as a sales and marketing base for all Seawind models sold into the European market and as a commissioning, handover, technical service, and maintenance center.
After 25 years in the automotive industry, the pandemic made me reflect on my goals. I sold my shares and left the company in 2021.
Kivanc Kardes
To support these additional functions, Seawind has opened an office at the Oasis Marina in Yeni Foça, Izmir, that will be used for Seawind commissioning and handover processes for boats built in both Turkey and Vietnam.
The new facility will also benefit customers from the US, explained Seawind, with the option of mast-up shipping making transportation more convenient and cost-effective.
And Kivanc explained how the Turkish operation came into being.
“After graduating as an industrial engineer, I worked with my uncle in a small family-owned company. Over the years, we grew from a seven-person workshop to a 450-person, multi-facility operation in Turkey and Europe.
“After 25 years in the automotive industry, the pandemic made me reflect on my goals. I sold my shares and left the company in 2021.”
And he said when he considered a business in sailing, he reached out to Seawind’s owner, Richard Ward who was seeking an opportunity to manufacture in Turkey.
“Richard had already fallen in love with Turkey during a 2019 visit and was seeking an opportunity to manufacture here, said Kivanc.
“My email reignited his vision, and after a series of meetings and visits, we established Seawind Europe.”
