Craig
Nirvana vs. Seawind - I have both boats - so I suppose that would serve as an endorsement of shorts - perhaps a few observations regarding these two boats might help your thought process. The Nirvana is more or less a "turn key" boat. Once it arrives, in very short order - no more than 30 min's. you are ready to put it in the water. I am not aware of any boat of this or similar in size that is as easy to assemble and to transport. It is so well designed, a monkey could assemble one. Well, that may be overstating it a bit. How about my wife can do it! It will come complete with a radio, but you can easily use your 2.4 ghz radio and receiver - or any 2 or more channel set up. (stick radio for sailboats) The Nirvana has a carbon fiber mast and booms, comes with durable and functional sails. A set of custom sails would really make one of these boats achieve it's potential.
The Nirvana does well in light to moderate weather conditions, doesn't draw as much water as larger boats, and is ideal for first time sailors. It is fun, fast and forgiving. Each time I sell one, I get another one. I actually miss sailing the darned things. They are a handsome yacht - fashioned in the likeness of a racing sloop. It is ruggedly built, but not heavy and with very little maintenance, it will provide years of fun. Another terrific factor is they have terrific resale value.
In contrast the Seawind is a kit boat - it doesn't require advanced hobby skills to assemble - the better handyman you are the better the results. There is some sanding, painting if you don't like white, some gluing and some some attention to detail. The Seawind is larger and carries more sail area than the Nirvana and should be faster. However, a well tuned Nirvana with a good skipper at the sticks, can give a Seawind a run for it's money.
The Seawind kit (pictured below) requires you to install a good high torque metal gear sail servo, and a good quality rudder servo. If you get one I can help you with the selection or other folks on the forum may make suggestions as well. You will need a battery holder for 4 AA 1.5 volt batteries or a 6 volt rechargeable battery and a charger if that is the way you go. The boat requires a radio and receiver, so if you have a good one you are all set there. The Seawind is fashioned in the likeness of an AC boat,with great looks and features some nice details to give it a more realistic appearance.
The Seawind has a couple of well known issues - one the factory hatch leaks and will require some simple modifications to make it seal properly. Next the rudder is under sized and can be over powered by heavy wind conditions. If you get into class boat racing, everyone has the same issue. and finally, they like to bow dive in heavier wind conditions which causes the boat to slow down. That can be addresses as well. The last thing I'd say is that the keel could be a little longer to get the boat up to it's potential. All of these things are easy to address. The Seawind's factory sails are really good sails and work well. The boat comes with a lot of nice decals and graphics to spice up the boats appearance.
The Seawind is a more sophisticated boat, and as such requires more attention and knowledge to get it set it up properly - most sophisticated ladies take more work, right? Over all both boats are winners. The Nirvana will require less of an investment and get out sailing faster and is a really great to learn with. The Seawind is good 1st boat too, but is really a better 2nd boat.
I add my own refinements to all of my boats - some for the sake of appearance and others for functionality.
Like many of us we like to put are mark on them, so to speak.
Either boat would be a good selection for you. Go for it.
Windchaser