Awards, Reviews and Features

Since the first 526 was launched and won the grandaddy award of them all, Cruising World’s Import Boat of the Year in 2017, Balance Catamarans has earned recognition, awards, and global independently juried reviews. Explore below.

Models

526

482

442

580

502 Balance 526: Cruising World Import Boat of the Year and Best Full-Size Multihull Over 50 Feet for 2017

Balance 526 Ondine at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, Annapolis MD

“I think the Balance 526 represents an important moment in the history of multihull design and evolution. We’ve been watching catamaran development for 20 years now. In the beginning, there were big, fat boats that at first weren’t designed for the loads that people put on them. But there was something missing in the marketplace that Phil recognized: a high-performance voyaging cat that an experienced couple could take anywhere.”

Tim Murphy

“The collaboration between Berman, du Toit, the Paarman bros and their company, Nexus Yachts, led to a balancing act in creating a light, fast cruising boat — one that two people could truly sail well — that nonetheless could carry a cruiser’s payload and offer complete, comfortable accommodations. The end result was the Balance 526, Cruising World’s Import Boat of the Year and Best Full-Size Multihull Over 50 Feet for 2017.”

“I think this is a performance cat that a couple can sail well. There are many details I like about it. One of them is that there are no gimmicks or quirks about the hull form — no bumps or chines. The builder decided from the beginning that he wanted a boat that can consistently sail between 10 and 12 knots. To do that, you have to have a hull form that wasn’t going to get too voluminous or too splashy in different kinds of seaways, and stay true to it.”

Tim Murphy

Katamarans: Balance 526 Owner’s Review

“It’s the whole package. Performance, safety, comfort, ease of use/maintenance, quality. Not to parrot their marketing material – but they really did find the perfect balance. ”

Yachting News - Balance 526: the most beautiful of sailing catamarans is fast and comfortable

Balance 526 is a superlative catamaran. Built with skill by highly experienced South African artisans, it impresses not only with its performance but especially with its extreme ease of handling and the sense of safety and calm it conveys—even in tough conditions like today.

Balance 482 - British Yachting Awards: 2023 Multihull of the Year HIGHLY COMMENDED

Balance 482 won HIGHLY COMMENDED by the British Yachting Awards Ceremony. Thank you to all who reached out and shared your views on the B482!

Balance 482 - SAIL Magazine 2022 Best Boats Winner

“If you’re the kind of sailor who values performance and drop-dead gorgeous good looks in addition to comfort afloat, you owe it to yourself to check out the Balance 482.”

Balance 482 - Sailing World 2022 Boat of the Year: Best Multihull

“The Balance 482, our Boat of the Year judges agreed, is a performance catamaran sailors’ kind of cat. With refined daggerboard profiles and a lightweight build, the boat performed to its full potential in not a lot of wind, even while sailing with its small self-tacking jib.”

Cruising World: 2022 Boat of the Year - Best Performance Catamaran

“The sailing performance was excellent,” said Douglas. “The boat felt really good. The steering was terrific. The structure of the boat throughout was exemplary. Storage is really good. Visibility was good. Ventilation was great. “

Multihulls World Magazine: Balance 482 Sailing Catamaran Review

“Capable of satisfying the family man as well as the competitive sailor, this multihull offers a versatility that is rare on the market – this is certainly why, even before its release, thirty five units have already been ordered.”

Sailing Today Boat test: Balance 482 catamaran

“In an ever more crowded multihull market, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. The Balance 482 has what it takes, as Sam Jefferson discovered.”

Balance 442 - Sail Magazine 2023 Best Boats Winner

“Perhaps the best part of the 442 is the sailing. Not too many cats will do 11 knots in 16 knots of true wind at 80 degrees AWA. Fewer still will hold onto 6.5 knots of speed at 35 degrees AWA in the same breeze and without making much leeway.”

“Like her bigger siblings, the Balance 442 is all about smart systems, livable layouts, and sassy sailing. The sail away price is $1.2 million, which still puts her below many of her performance cat competitors. If you’re looking for smart living and fast sailing, you may have found it.”

“The Balance name isn’t an accident. This line of voyaging cats was created to address a niche market for experienced sailors looking for a balance of a performance multihull and a proper liveaboard. Neither slow and voluminous nor high-strung and spartan, Balance cats deliver a happy middle ground.”

Cruising World: Balance 442 Sailboat Review

“I see the future of onboard electrical systems on this boat.”

Boating New Zealand: On Balance, All Good

“Every design and building element – down to the smallest detail – takes into consideration how it interacts with every other element with a Balance Catamaran.”

Balance 580 - Multihulls World 2025 Multihull of the Year Nominee for Sail Performance

Balance 580 - SAIL Magazine 2026 Best Boats Winner

“As the brand promises, the new 580 is a true “balance” of power and luxury. She excels at both living like a contemporary condo and sailing like a witch.”

“Balance cats are sleek and sexy with an aggressive profile that suggests speed even at rest. Co-designed by Berman and Du Toit Yacht Design, the Balance 580 fits the family aesthetic perfectly.”

Seahorse Magazine: Balance 580 Review

‘We are taking a lead in what was until recently a niche market sector but is now widely recognised, especially among those with a performance sailing and racing background, as being the best route to the ultimate cruising yacht,’ he says. ‘One that’s responsive, fast and enormously fun to sail, but also with the deck space and internal volumes to truly offer luxury living, without the need to sail with a professional crew.’