Alongside our cruise in the Three-Lakes region (discovered in previous pages), we had the pleasure of rediscovering, on the banks of the Thièlle, the Scheurer shipyard in the commune of Nidau (canton of Berne). Founded in 1969 by Andreas Scheurer (who is still with the company), the yard now employs fifteen people. It can rig boats weighing up to ten tonnes. Once dry, these can be stored in the basement, where winter storage is located. This guarantees a stable, temperate climate for the seventy-five boats housed there. A further thirty or so units can be stored outside.
Managing director Aron Steinmann tells us that no project scares his teams, whether it’s a complete repaint on a new boat or the restoration of a wooden canoe from the beginning of the last century. On the mechanical side, the yard has Volvo Penta and Yanmar licenses for inboard engines, as well as Suzuki and Tohatsu for outboards. For refits, repowering options are also available. Having manufactured the A-Cat carbon racing catamarans for many years, Scheurer has now taken over Fiberfoam AG, a manufacturer of carbon masts and sail battens. This is a subject we’ll be developing in an upcoming Skippers Voile & Océan.