Swiss Cat 55

Founded in 2009 by Jurg Von Ins, the Swiss Cat brand stands out from the crowd with its carefully crafted blue water catamarans. High-performance, robust, comfortable and customizable - in terms of fittings and finishes, not to mention maneuvering and comfort equipment - these models have found their audience among connoisseurs. The first S2C 55 (see test in MW113) was followed by an S2C 45 (see test in MW135), then by the aforementioned SC48 (see test in MW155). These models were produced in the former Switch workshops in Balaruc-les-Bains in southern France, bought by the founder in 2005. The shipyard’s philosophy has always been to build, in very small series production runs, high-quality catamarans designed to be easily managed by a short-handed crew. From the very first models, the customer was invited to participate in certain equipment choices. The brand, supported by a “Swiss made” ideal, has unquestionably succeeded in making a name for itself.

The arrival of Philippe Chatel as CEO in 2019 led to new ambitions for the brand - starting with a range of power daycruisers. For the multihulls we’re interested in, architects François Pérus and Romain Scolari from Yacht Design Collective were tasked with renewing the range. In broad terms, the aim was to offer a more modern and glamorous envelope to the previous 55-foot ocean-going cruiser - while further improving the lightness and performance characteristics for which Swiss Cat is renowned. In 2022, on the strength of the new SC55 project, the shipyard moved to Fano, in Italy. Technical expertise and construction were entrusted to Christian Paulitsch and Teodosio Auspici of the Bay Srl shipyard.

Design: An Italian Revival?

Discovering the 55 alongside the dock during the show, I was instantly aware of the scope of the work carried out by this new team - a task that combines architecture, conception and design. The metallic electric blue of the hulls, combined with the white deck and anthracite coachroof, immediately give the boat a strong character. On the dedicated page of the yard’s website, you’ll see that the color combinations are infinite - they can even play with the shade of the antifouling. These multiple attires are obviously enhanced by a very modern design. The strongly inverted bows are aggressive, and the prominent bowsprit/beam amplifies this aggressiveness. The coachroof portholes, also significantly inverted and tinted, contribute to the sharpness of the silhouette. Finally, there are a few codes borrowed from the world of motor yachting. The coachroof cap integrates the flush solar panels - the harmony of the colors remains uninterrupted, with a black Axxon carbon mast and anthracite canvas by Incidence Sails. Standing out from previous Swiss Cat products, the look of this SC55 is characterized by its modern lines and colors that are as original as they are refined. As far as the hull is concerned, the architects have focused on balance and efficient passage through bigger seas, for fast, comfortable and safe sailing. The limited pitching we’re all aiming for obviously favors gliding across the water. The determination of the wetted surface and the waterline takes into account the catamaran’s laden displacement. This means that 3½ tons of load can be added to the SC55’s 38,500 lbs lightship displacement, resulting in a unit that can accommodate a liveaboard family, cruising in comfort.

Sophisticated Construction

From the moment you step aboard, the quality of the craftsmanship is perceptible: it’s stiff, stiff and stiff! The Swiss Cat is made from a multiaxial fiberglass/Corecell foam/epoxy resin composite using the infusion process. Carbon cloth has been used to reinforce structural elements such as beams, mast compression post and bulkheads. The rig and martingale are also full carbon. Safety is taken very seriously. Foam crash boxes run almost 16 feet (4.8 m) abaft the bows beneath the forepeak lockers, and quadraxial reinforcements enclose the rudder posts. Top-of-the-range materials have been selected for the fittings, including specific types of wood for the veneers. Particular care has been taken in assembly, jointing and veneering. Floors and furniture panels are kept as light as possible, with a foam or balsa core depending on stiffness requirements. Christian Paulitsch, a specialist in high-tech composites, supervises the construction processes and ensures that the weight specifications are adhered to. Of course, this demanding job takes much longer than mass production. The Bay Srl workshops have therefore set themselves a production target of three units per year, bearing in mind that it takes between 12 and 14 months to build one model.

A La Carte Layouts

Building a unit where the weight calculations need to be managed as closely as possible, the semi- custom aspect still needs to be precisely framed to avoid any untimely issues that would jeopardize the desired balance. Marco Amadio was entrusted with the design of the layout. Based on 3- or 4-cabin versions, three different plans were drawn up, respecting structural imperatives such as bulkheads and daggerboard wells. The first SC55 launched, defined as the standard version, has three cabins, including the owner’s cabin, which occupies the entire port hull. Another version, with a different galley and an L-shaped sofa, called Gran Turismo, is also offered, as is a four-cabin version and the addition of crew quarters in one of the forepeaks. Aboard our test model, the floors were in brushed oak and the furniture in teak, but other types of wood are available on request. Swiss Cat’s pricing policy is indeed unusual (see inset). For my part, I really enjoyed this so-called standard version, which features a pleasant layout. The two tables, one in the saloon and one in the cockpit, run fore and aft, separated by the full-width picture window. With this closed, meals can be enjoyed by six, inside or out. On the other hand, with the doors opened wide, a large table can seat up to twelve people - enough for a proper banquet! The U-shaped galley is ultra-complete, but the forward countertop somewhat impedes access to the refrigerator drawers, located in the forward beam. On the other side of the boat, the spacious chart table offers an unobstructed view over the water. With every build, the precise layout and equipment list will be discussed at the time of ordering.

Wave-piercing Hulls

Facnor electric genoa and staysail furlers, six Harken electric winches, Antal electric mainsail traveler: the deck hardware is on par with the sail plan I mentioned earlier. The single-spreader mast is equipped with a radar mount. As soon as the sharp hulls started moving, the crew got into performance mode. A nice breeze of 9 to 11 knots was blowing in the Bay of Cannes, providing more than enough air to gauge the Swiss Cat 55’s abilities. The slightly curved symmetrical daggerboards plunge over 9 feet (2.8 m) below the surface and are operated electrically. With relatively flat seas, upwind sailing under genoa was very efficient. At 30° to the true wind, the Swiss Cat 55 was making over 6 knots. Bearing away to 50 degrees off the wind, the pace accelerated to over 8 knots. Speed was constant, and the helmsman was effortlessly maintaining his course.

Easing further downwind in these conditions, the gennaker was unfurled. This very large sail allows us to settle at between 7 and 8 knots, sailing at 100° and then 120° to the true wind. A fine performance considering the modest strength of the breeze. The sea was very calm... but fortunately, we eventually came across an imposing motor-yacht: we immediately set a course for its wake, to test the SC55’s behavior a little further. The bows proved their efficiency, cutting through large waves like two razors. As for the platform, it remained perfectly rigid, with no perceptible vibrations. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t tack in 20 knots of wind and a decent swell, but I was certainly impressed by the capabilities of these wave-piercing hulls, and could readily envisage smooth blue-water sailing...

Conclusion

I was already familiar with the “Swiss” quality of Swiss Cat catamarans, and I’m fully convinced of the continuity of this aspect following the reorganization of the brand and production shifting to Italy. The SC55 is a high-performance, comfortable ocean-going catamaran that offers a real plus in terms of character and design, much in the spirit of the specialists in the genre - Comar Yachts, Cure Marine, Gunboat, HH, Kinetic and McConaghy, to name but a few.

Honestly, how could you resist this incredible look?

The standard rig is carbon – an Axxon mast and boom. The genoa and small staysail, combined with the daggerboards, guarantee excellent upwind performance in all conditions. As for the huge gennaker in this shot, it lengthens the stride even further

The helm stations are highly ergonomic, with inclined winches. Electric foot and coachroof controls are very practical. On this model, the helm seat is a simple foam tube, in the style of the most stripped-down sport-cruisers. However, it is possible to design a more comfortable helm station - the shipyard is at your service.

Large carbon beam and carbon martingale, Facnor electric jib furler, 215-square foot (20 m²) self-tacking staysail: the 55 is designed for efficient short-handed maneuvers.

The layout of these two modular tables is particularly ergonomic. With an extension in the middle, they form a huge tabletop ideal for entertaining friends in fine weather.

The U-shaped galley is spacious and fully-equipped. Countertops are in Stilestone - 94% natural quartz + 6% water-repellent resin. Other layouts are possible, notably with a central island that gives slightly freer access to the drawer refrigerators.

The finishes and decor are top-of-the-range, with wood veneers in noble species such as oak and teak. Note the jumbo display screens, clearly visible from anywhere.

This multi-burner stove will allow the cordon bleu chef to produce some delicious meals.

Copies of Multihulls World are firmly in place on this chart table, which boasts a superb view! The inverted portholes don’t let the sun in when the rays are close to vertical. Perhaps an overhead porthole might be an idea to keep an eye on the sails.

The double bed in the aft cabins is not an island bed, due to the narrowness of the hulls, but the berths can still be up to 6 feet (1.8 m) wide - depending on the configuration chosen.

The bathroom in the owner’s cabin is extremely spacious - but also extremely chic.

A cabinet houses all the controls and electrical panels in one of the hulls.

The powertrain option here is a pair of 80 HP Yanmar diesels. As standard, the manufacturer fits two 50 HP engines.