Jurg von Ins: From Seychelles Dream to Swiss Catamaran Visionary
Jurg von Ins’s journey into the world of multihulls, specifically catamarans, began in the Seychelles in the early 2000s. During a vacation, he was captivated by the sight of magnificent catamarans anchored off the beaches. He admired the lifestyle of those aboard, effortlessly island-hopping and enjoying idyllic anchorages. The comfort and stability of catamarans appealed to him.
Upon returning from the Seychelles, von Ins visited the Paris boat show to learn more. He was immediately drawn to catamarans, but none quite met his expectations. He stumbled upon a catamaran model and engaged in a passionate conversation with a skipper about the advantages and disadvantages of catamarans, construction details, and the shipyard.
The Birth of a Builder
Shortly after, Sud Composites contacted von Ins, leading to further discussions. He was drawn to the Switch 55 catamaran project designed by VPLP. He decided to purchase his first catamaran. However, the shipyard faced financial difficulties, prompting von Ins to invest in the company. As problems mounted, he took control of the shipyard to complete his boat and build a second. This marked the beginning of his journey as both a catamaran owner and a builder.
The Switch proved to be a superb and seaworthy vessel. Von Ins enjoyed numerous voyages, including a transatlantic crossing and the America’s Cup in Valencia, with the skipper he met at the Paris boat show. However, the catamaran began to show its age compared to competitors. This led von Ins to embark on a new venture: the creation of Swiss Catamarans. He sought an architect to bring his vision of a cruising catamaran to life. The collaboration with Sébastien Schmidt, known for designing the Décision 35, resulted in the first Swisscat, a 55-foot cruising catamaran, in 2007.
Swiss Catamarans: A Commitment to Quality and Safety
Von Ins emphasized the importance of high construction standards and excellent finishing. He partnered with a shipyard in Turkey capable of meeting these requirements. The first Swisscat 55 was launched, followed by a second. The first 55 was presented in Cannes in 2009.
The Philosophy Behind Swiss Catamarans
Swiss Catamarans are designed for enjoyment, long-distance cruising in comfort, and, above all, safety. Von Ins believes that safety is paramount, especially when traveling with family or loved ones. Swiss Catamarans are built to cover distances efficiently, enabling them to navigate challenging weather conditions. This philosophy is reflected in the choice of daggerboards, carbon mast, and well-designed sail plan. The 55-foot size is considered ideal for comfort, seakeeping, and ease of handling, even by a single person in a family crew.
The latest model is wider, with a larger sail area, achieving a cruising speed of 11 knots under sail and 9 knots at 2000 rpm under power.
Prioritizing Sails Over Electric Motors
Von Ins expresses skepticism about some of the latest trends in catamaran construction. He believes that sails and hull design should be the priority for sailing yachts. He prefers investing in a well-designed sail plan rather than electric motors, as Swiss Catamarans perform well under sail and do not require extensive motor use. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity, ease of handling, and maintenance for long-distance cruising.
“We don’t go on a long voyage to stop regularly to repair or fix a problem. That’s not my vision of sailing!”
A Legacy of Miles and Adventures
Swiss Catamarans has been building catamarans for 20 years. Two Swisscats are currently in the United States, one in Fiji, and others in Australia. One owner regularly participates in the Sydney Hobart race, demonstrating the robustness of the design.
Von Ins’s most recent voyage was from Venice to Cannes, delivering a catamaran to the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. His next voyage is yet to be planned.
Enjoyed this post by Thibault Helle? Subscribe for more insights and updates straight from the source.
