Easy answer: Safety.
More nuanced answer: Preparation. Elimination. Innovation and Savings.
But let’s start at the beginning: Preparation.
Of course, one of the most catastrophic events that can occur aboard any sailing vessel is a fire. At sea, fire behaves very differently than it does on land, fed by different elements. Once a blaze takes hold inside a boat, surrounded as it is by fiberglass, wiring, and other combustible materials – the danger can escalate quickly. And there is no local fire department nearby to take care of business. So the first step at Balance is:
1. Preparation: Design and Fire Safety
Every Balance Catamaran is equipped with comprehensive fire safety equipment throughout the vessel. But that is the expected part, it’s the design elements that support the locations of the equipment that often go unrecognized as part of safety roll calls.
For instance, you’ll find both the important equipment you need but also the critical design thinking that denies any potential fire its oxygen. These systems are designed to help contain and extinguish a fire quickly if one ever does occur.
Consider:
- Clearly marked fire extinguishers throughout the boat
- Both CO₂ and foam extinguishers for different types of fires
- A fire blanket in the galley
- Engine room access ports designed to allow a fire to be suppressed without opening the compartment and feeding it oxygen
The next safety design element is:
2. Elimination: Removing Propane Risks
Many cruising boats rely on propane gas for cooking and grilling. While common, propane systems actually introduce a number of risks onboard. Why?
- Propane is heavier than air, meaning leaks can accumulate in bilges
- Gas lockers, regulators, and plumbing require constant monitoring
- Even small leaks can create dangerous ignition situations
Because of this, Balance Catamarans are designed with no propane systems.
Instead, Balance Catamarans rely on a powerful onboard electrical system that allows owners to cook, grill, and live comfortably without storing gas onboard.
3. Innovation: The 48-Volt Revolution
A key part of making a gas-free boat possible is the shift toward modern 48-volt lithium battery systems. Over the past several years, marine electrical technology has advanced dramatically. Lithium battery systems are now:
- Safer
- More energy-dense
- More intelligently managed through battery management systems (BMS)
At Balance, these systems are installed with extremely rigorous standards. Our electrical installations are thoughtfully diagramed at each junction. And then, once installed, double- and triple-checked by our quality control teams before an owner takes delivery.
The move to 48-volt systems also offer a significant technical advantage.
But also consider that because power equals voltage multiplied by current, increasing the voltage allows the system to carry the same power with lower current. Lower current means:
- Smaller wiring
- Reduced heat buildup in cables
- Higher levels of efficiency
- Dramatically improved safety margins
In short, the 48-volt architecture allows us to safely support the large energy demands of modern cruising without heavy wiring or unnecessary electrical losses.
What we have not focused on in this post are the dramatic fuel savings achieved with these systems. (To read more about these: Understanding E-Drive Performance )
These last elements are at once the most important in so many ways, and yet they are viewed as part of the everyday, overall design thinking at Balance Catamarans: Innovation.
4. Savings: Efficiency and Generator-Free Cruising
Consider that another major step in reducing risk and complexity onboard was eliminating the traditional generator.
Balance Catamarans has been a longtime partner with UK-based Integrel Solutions to support development of an advanced onboard power system that allows the boat’s propulsion engines to generate large amounts of electricity while underway.
The result of this increased efficiency is a system that:
- Removes the need for a separate generator engine
- Reduces noise and vibration onboard
- Eliminates the maintenance associated with another engine
- Frees up valuable storage space
- Dramatic fuel savings acheived
Instead of a generator, Balance boats rely on a combination of:
- High-capacity lithium battery banks
- Solar power
- Engine-driven charging through the Integrel system
More recently, this system has evolved even further with the introduction of E-Drive electric propulsion options, which can produce remarkable charging capacity any time a diesel engine is generating. Balance Catamarans partnered with Integrel on this as well as was the first builder to introduce it into its catamarans globally.
The system can generate 15 kW of power per side, and in optimal situations even more. Combined with solar, this means the boat’s battery bank is constantly being replenished.
The result is a remarkably energy-rich environment all safely onboard a Balance Catamaran.
Abundant Electricity: Safer Galley Living
How does this abundance of electricity create a safe sailing environment? With abundant electrical power available, Balance Catamarans can support electric induction cooking in the galley.
Induction stoves are:
- Extremely efficient
- Safer than open flame
- Faster to heat than traditional gas burners
Owners can cook comfortably without the many risks associated with propane systems.
And of course, no Balance Catamaran would be complete without honoring our South African heritage. – with electric BBQs!
Make Way for Tradition: The Electric Braai
In South Africa, the braai, known as a barbecue in other parts of the world, is more than just a way of cooking. It’s part of the culture.
That’s why Balance Catamarans incorporate a stern grilling station using Kenyon electric grills, allowing owners to enjoy outdoor cooking without propane tanks.
The result is a clean, safe, and easy-to-use grilling setup that owners consistently tell us is one of their favorite features onboard. Afterall, what’s better than barbecues with the best views in the world?
Safer Sailing is so many things
At Balance Catamarans, our goal has always been to create boats that combine performance sailing with real cruising comfort.
By eliminating propane systems and generators, and embracing modern electric energy systems, we’re also able to provide:
- Safer boats
- Simpler systems
- Cleaner energy
- More space onboard
- A quieter onboard experience
Most importantly, it allows owners to focus on what matters most: sailing, exploring, and enjoying life at sea.
Safety has always been central to our design philosophy, and as marine technology continues to evolve, we will continue pushing forward and refining systems that make offshore cruising not only more comfortable, but safer for everyone aboard.
Because at Balance Catamarans, the goal is always the same:
Performance and comfort, in perfect balance.
