Our Models

The agile multi-tasker is the ideal performance cruiser for island hoppers yet fully capable of trans-oceanic adventure travel.

Overall Length
13.50m 44.29ft
Beam Overall
7.6m 24.93ft
Sail Area
112.0m2 1,205ft2
Draft (Boards Up)
1.16m 3.81ft
Base Boat Displacement
11,800kgs 26,014 lbs
Designers
Phillip Berman signature
Phillip Berman
Anton du Toit signature
Anton du Toit

Performance

With her carbon reinforced foam core hulls and powerful sail plan the Balance 442 is a fast and able voyager. Upwind she points high, with little leeway, in the 6 to 8.5 knot range with her high aspect daggerboards. Reaching she enjoys speeds between 7 and 13 knots. Dropping down a swell she’ll surge even faster, steering like a surfboard with her high performance spade rudders.

* Polars are known as Velocity Performance Predictions (VPP’s) and are calculated using advanced computer modeling at base boat weight assuming vessel in flat sea state, trimmed sails and clean bottom. Polars do not guarantee specific performance. Vessel performance in real world conditions vary due to sea state, hull condition, payload, and the skill of the helmsman. To learn more about performance, click below to view our videos on Polars

Performance

Guided Walk Through

See 442 Interior

Design Your Balance

Configurator

Designing your dream catamaran and how to use our visualization tool

Learn More
What Owners Think

“It has been a privilege to work so closely with Anton, Jonathan, Roger and Phil to build my dream boat.”

Mark T.

“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.”

Frank B.

“Having owned and maintained more than a dozen yachts, including a Hinkley, Oyster, J-boats, Swan and Nautitech, Balance is by far and away the best boat I have ever owned and sailed!”

Todd H.

“Balance Catamarans were the perfect compromise for us as they are fast, comfortable, practical, beautiful and very well built, by people who also love to sail.”

Mark T.

“Aesthetics were also a big factor for us in deciding to order our new Balance 526. We find her crisp contemporary lines and modern interior finishes to be satisfying to our eyes. Also, as experienced sailors, we were drawn to the fact that the 526 is a truly handmade labor of love crafted by passionate builders who were happy to let us make a wide range of choices on finishes and equipment that larger production builders will not accommodate.”

Jim F.

“Superb craftsmanship, delightful to work with, and absolutely beautiful boats.”

Irene V.

“She’s pretty, she’s built like a rock, she’s light, super intelligently designed and is going to be a blast to sail. I think the name Balance says it all.”

Jeffrey P.

“Balance Catamarans, being a smaller, high-end, boutique shipyard, were prepared to work carefully with me to build the catamaran of my dreams.”

Piotr R.

“As experienced sailors, we were drawn to the fact that a Balance is a truly hand-made labor of love crafted by passionate builders who were happy to let us make a wide range of choices on finishes and equipment.”

Jim F.

“After years of planning we found Balance Catamarans to be the best combination of performance, quality of build and value on the market.”

Phil M.

“Every once in a while, you connect with a group of people you know will always be in your life in a very good way. I think building in South Africa, you get a lot more for your money. The craftsmanship is top-notch.”

Frank B.

“The team at Balance has an attention to detail, workmanship and overall quality that makes us very proud to be part of the Balance family.”

Barry S.

Truly impressive…With the scaled-down 442, Balance fills out the family offering with dimensions and a price point that make their designs more accessible to a broader swath of the cruising market. The result is a performance catamaran that’s perfectly positioned to appeal to an experienced sailing couple looking for quality, livability, speed, and savvy systems, all in a true 44-foot package that is a kick to sail.

Sail, February 6, 2023
Layouts

Full Specs

Overall Length

13.50 m / 44.29 ft

Waterline Length

13.50 m / 44.29 ft

Beam Overall

7.6 m / 24.93 ft

Main Sail

75.6 m2 / 813 ft2

Working Self-Tracking Jib

29.81m / 321 ft2

Sail Area (100% Foretriangle)

112.0 m2 / 1,205 ft2

Asymmetric Spinnaker

152.83m / 1645 ft2

Draft (Boards Down)

2.15 m / 7.05 ft

Draft (Boards Up)

1.16 m / 3.81 ft

Draft Keeled Version

N/A

Air Draft / Mast Clearance

20.01 m / 65.65 ft

Bridgedeck Clearence

818mm / 2.807 ft

DISP (Base Boat)

11,800 kgs / 26,014 lbs

DISP (Base Boat – Keeled)

N/A

Davit Load

250 kgs / 550 lbs per arm
Max Length Tender: 3.5m / 11′ 6″
Max Weight Tender w/OB: 214 kgs / 472 lbs

Screacher/Reacher

59.64m / 642 ft2

Engine

YANMAR 3YM30AE X SD 25
2×22 kW / 2× 29 HP /

Fuel Capacity

2 x 400 ltrs / 2 x 106 gals

Fresh Water Capacity

2 x 350 ltrs / 2 x 92 gals

Black Water Capacity

2 x 42 ltrs / 2 x 11 gals

Maximum Load Displacement

15,340 kgs / 33,818 lbs

Please note that, based on component availability and other factors, specifications are subject to change without notice.

The weight of each yacht we build varies based on her interior fit-out, materials chosen, hardware and added equipment. All our catamarans are designed for best-in-class weight and sailing performance, without compromising strength or quality.

Underwing clearance will vary based on the final fit out of the yacht together with what is stored on her, the amount of fuel and water she carries, and the number of passengers onboard.

Reviews

“The choice of materials is qualitative (the foam core and wood veneer for furniture), as well as the overall finish, in a word: impeccable.”

“I think the Balance 526 represents an important moment in the history of multihull design and evolution…there was something missing in the marketplace that Phil recognized: a high-performance voyaging cat that an experienced couple could take anywhere…finally, we have that a couple can really sail well.”

Tim Murphy, Judge, Cruising World Boat of the Year 2017

“Pretty as she is, every aspect of her design seems to have been refracted through a simplicity prism. Access for repairs is exceptional. The movement from helm to side decks and from side decks to foredecks is a breeze. The wiring and systems installations all reflect a commitment to functional excellence.”

Multihulls World

“Several Balance 526 owners have reported 24-hour periods covering 260 miles or more. This is one very, very fast catamaran, laden or empty.”

Multihulls World