the Schionning Designs Team

WE ARE A DESIGN, KIT AND MATERIAL SUPPLY COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN SERVING THE MARINE INDUSTRY WITH INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

The Schionning Story

The Schionning Designs Story - Leaders in Multihull Design & Kit Development WE ARE A DESIGN, KIT AND MATERIAL SUPPLY COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN SERVING THE MARINE INDUSTRY WITH INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FOR OVER 25 YEARS. Read More

The success of our designs I feel, stems from the practical commonsense approach of a boat builder, coupled with many years of live aboard experience and 50 – 60,000 sea miles in some of the worst conditions in the world. This experience makes you aware of the power of the sea and the need for a boat to be able to survive these conditions, protect her crew physically and psychologically as well as being a fast comfortable vehicle for all the good times.

I was born in South Africa in 1946. My father had an engineering background and had a very competitive spirit. He raced motorcycles and power boats and later designed and built racing dinghies which we both sailed competitively. So I grew up in a boat building environment from an early age and enjoyed working with boat design and building with my dad.

From school I trained as a land surveyor and enjoyed the combination of outdoor work, complex mathematics and high accuracy levels, whilst continuing to design,

build and race yachts in my spare time. I was drawn back to serious boat building and started a yard (Lucky Bean Boat Yard – Knysna, S.Africa) specialising in cold molded and composite yachts, building a number of boats between 20′ – 45′ feet. Having built some smaller cats and finding the concept very exciting I bought and rebuilt an old 34′ trimaran, adding new styling and engineering. I lived aboard her and sailed many thousands of miles up and down the South African coast and the Cape of Good Hope.

Looking to continue this interest and seeking a more peaceful ocean and country, I immigrated to Australia in 1986 with my two sons Craig and Brett. Here I met Lorraine who has personally sailed and cruised extensively and also has years of live aboard experience. She handles the business administrative and marketing side of things.

In 1987 we started building multihulls in Australia, initially other Aussie designs and I designed my first Multihull (a 24’ Trimaran). Both my sons completed boatbuilding apprenticeships with me during this time. The launch of our successful little trimaran was also the launch of a serious ‘passion’, this led to the development of the ranges of boats you are now looking at.

Schionning Marine has steadily grown since the late ‘80’s to become a recognized name in the Multihull Industry, we now employ a team of professionals to service our in house design studio and also a comprehensive marine supply business as well.

I am sure you will find our designs reflect our sailing, building and live-aboard experience and will give you the offshore confidence to sail safely anywhere in the world.

Multihulls are beautiful, safe, cruising boats. I hope you find them as exciting as we do.

Jeff Schionning.

Meet the Team

Robert Quinn

I got to know Jeff and Lorraine while living in Sydney Australia. I joined the Schionning Designs team in 2016 when I moved to Cape Town South Africa. The focus of this new office was to strengthen support and sales in Europe and USA. Being in South Africa allows Michael and I to work closely together. This close collaboration has bolstered our design development and output. Lorraine handed me the general management role in 2018.

I studied mechanical engineering in Illinois USA with a particular focus on design and simulation. I came to Schionning Designs with the experience of being at one of the world’s largest production multihull yards and two decades in the marine industry. I have also earned an international design award in marine seating. Over the years Jeff and I have partnered very closely on designs, engineering and company growth. It has been invaluable and a pleasure to be under the wing of an iconic designer. This boutique and bespoke niche of the multihull world is a rewarding space to be in.

Tarryn Schionning

Michael Van Schalkwyk

I joined the Schionning Marine team in 2007 and am based in South Africa assisting in 3D CAD modeling, and the creation of plans and renders for advertising, visual demonstration and display. I studied and trained in the field of electrical engineering and worked as a technician in the commercial 2-way radio business for 9 years. I’ve always been involved in computer programming and design in some way and have also been a keen Photoshop user for about 10 years, having done web design and graphic design at various stages. In 2008 my wife (Leze) and I built a VT330 at our home and gained valuable insight into the build process and design application.

info@schionningdesign.com