Charter for a cause
The latest Seawind 1370 to reach Australian shores is offering sailors the chance to experience the Whitsundays while raising money for a family in need.
Photography by Phill Gordon Riptide Creative
04 June 2026
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Bareboat yacht charter company Whitsunday Escape has launched a fundraising initiative centred around one of the most exciting new arrivals to Australia’s charter fleet: the Seawind 1370 Sidetracked – raising funds for the greater good.
The close-knit team at Whitsunday Escape decided to launch a raffle with the support of one of their long-term investors for a five-night charter on the brand-new luxury boat on hearing the news that four-year-old Lucy Scarrott – sister to two-year-old Ella, and daughter to well-known Whitsunday boating community members, Cat and Andy Scarrott – had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma – an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The vessel chosen to make a difference – a Seawind 1370 – is no run-of-the mill charter catamaran. Sidetracked is one of the first models of that kind to make landfall in Australia and the very first available for charter in the Whitsundays.
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Boasting additional features not commonly seen in a charter fleet, such as trifold doors and performance capabilities enhanced by lightweight, carbon-reinforced construction, the vessel is also not only spacious and luxuriously appointed, but also a superior sailor.
Sailed fresh from the factory in Asia to the Whitsunday Escape base at the Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, by owners Geoff St Clair and Kim Mitchell, Sidetracked breezed through headwinds and sea states that would have stopped other boats in their tracks.
Under normal circumstances Sidetracked would be set straight to work in the Whitsunday Escape fleet where Mr St Clair is a repeat investor, but on this occasion her first ‘charter’ is to raise money for the Scarrott family.
“Lucy’s parents Cat and Andy are dear friends of the Whitsunday Escape family and their whole world has been turned upside down by a heartbreaking diagnosis no parent should have to face,” Whitsunday Escape Managing Director, Jaclyn Watson, said.
“Both parents have had to give up their jobs and relocate to Brisbane so that Lucy – who has already undergone major brain surgery at the Queensland Children’s Hospital and now faces months of intensive radiation and chemotherapy – can receive daily treatment for an entire year in a fight to survive.”
We may not be able to wave a magic wand and make Lucy’s diagnosis disappear, but one thing we can do, thanks to Geoff and Kim’s generosity, is take some of the immense financial pressure off, so that they can focus on what matters most, which is being together and supporting Lucy through this battle”.
To win the holiday – sailing the Whitsundays aboard Sidetracked, and being a part of Lucy’s support team – future sailors and those who want to help simply have to buy a ticket through Raffletix, where proceeds will be administered to the Scarrott family via the Proserpine Lions Club.
Only 1,000 tickets are available at a cost of $50 each, with the winner set to sail away on a charter worth $11,000 for a priceless experience.
Mr St Clair said the winner should prepare to be impressed.
“You’re going to be getting a beautiful sailing boat! Its sailing capabilities are exceptional, but with the volume and all the luxuries of the latest, greatest new boat – it’ll definitely have ‘wow factor’,” he said.
“And even if you don’t win, you’ll be contributing to an incredibly worthy cause,” Ms Watson added.
The raffle runs from today until 10.30am on July 31.
To purchase tickets, click here or follow the links on Whitsunday Escape’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
About Whitsunday Escape
Whitsunday Escape is a multi-award-winning bareboat company specialising in unique ‘skipper yourself’ boating holidays, in the iconic Whitsunday Islands area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
With many protected anchorages to visit, this style of accommodation blends adventure tourism with world-class natural surroundings.
The Whitsunday Escape bareboat fleet is the largest in the southern hemisphere and includes more than 35 modern power and sailing vessels, accommodating anywhere from two to 12 guests.
Operating for more than 30 years, Whitsunday Escape is a trusted leader in the bareboating industry and an established contributor to the Whitsundays marine, tourism, eco and business communities. Over the years, the company has rasied almost $240,000 for charitable causes including Neuroblastoma Australia, Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Dementia Australia, the Australian Red Cross, Volunteer Marine Rescue, Variety Children’s Charity, and numerous local causes through the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach.
About the Seawind 1370
The Seawind 1370 is a sailing catamaran that’s perfectly suited to island-hopping through the Whitsundays, blending easy comfort with confident sailing performance. Twin protected helms, a galley-up layout and trifold doors create an open, breezy design that feels right at home in the tropics.
Families, couples and mixed groups are well catered for, with three double beds and an additional single bunk located within one cabin.
Lightweight carbon-reinforced construction, twin helm seating and a self-tacking jib give the Seawind 1370 responsive handling and straightforward sailing.
For guests wanting a modern sailing catamaran that is comfortable, capable and easy to charter, the Seawind 1370 is an excellent choice.
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