Meet Onda. The last Balance 442 ever built, and our 99th catamaran to touch the water since the first 526 launched in 2015. The 442 has been a true cornerstone of the Balance range, a boat that proved what a 44 foot performance cruising catamaran could be. Onda carries that legacy forward as the final hull of her kind. From here, we step into a new chapter with the Balance 464, the natural evolution of everything the 442 taught us. This isn't a goodbye to what the 442 stood for. It's a celebration of it, and a launch into what comes next. Here's to Onda, to her owners, and to every mile ahead. Learn more about the Balance range at balancecatamarans.com #BalanceCatamarans #Balance442 #Balance464 #Onda #CatamaranLaunch #SailingLife #Multihull #BoatLaunch #Catamaran #BlueWaterSailing

Meet Philasande Gwala. At Balance Catamarans Cape Town she keeps tasks moving and deadlines met, but in early 2025 she traded the shipyard for the open Atlantic. As part of the Alexforbes Angel Wings team, she claimed first place on handicap in the 2025 Cape2Rio, a 3,300 nautical mile offshore race from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro and one of the toughest ocean events in the Southern Hemisphere. In this video, Philasande shares how she went from a love of the water to crossing an ocean by sailboat. She started sailing in 2022, committed herself to two years of training with the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy, and earned her spot through hard work both mental and physical. The crossing took 19 days, 8 hours and 41 minutes, faster than the crew anticipated, and it was not without hardship. A mid-Atlantic boom failure forced the team to adapt and keep racing competitively across thousands of miles of open ocean. Their two years of training together, and the trust they built as a unit, carried them to the finish. Her win matters beyond the result. The Alexforbes Angel Wings campaign was part of a development program working to open up sailing to communities historically underrepresented in the sport. Philasande's journey is a reminder of what happens when talent meets access, mentorship, and effort. We could not be prouder. Congratulations Philasande, you didn't just cross an ocean, you inspired all of us. The winning crew: Skipper: Sibusiso Sizatu First Mate: Tshepo Renaldo Mohale Crew: Philasande Gwala, Sesona Ntsaluba, Yonela Temela Reserve sailor supporting training and preparation: Yobanathi Klaas Read the full story: https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-catamarans-philasande-gwala-cape2rio-victory/ #BalanceCatamarans #Cape2Rio #Sailing #OffshoreSailing #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #Catamaran #SailingLife

Take an exclusive look inside the Balance 540 as Roger Paarman (GM at the StFrancis Yard) walks you through the latest construction progress. In this video, we cover the new Versa Stern sliding stern closure, the redesigned aft cockpit with a central working platform (complete with barbecue and washbasin options), and the lower helm setup with integrated daybed and cooler storage. We then head inside to explore the saloon — featuring a large aluminum sliding door, L-shaped lounge seating, a central island unit with TV lift option, centralized nav station, and a fully equipped galley with fridge-freezer drawers, dishwasher option, and oven. Below deck, we tour all four cabins across both port and starboard hulls, including the owner's en suite aft cabin, guest cabins, and shared bathroom configurations — plus the sail locker with dual deck and cabin access. The Balance 540 comes in six versions (3- and 4-cabin layouts), and this build reflects years of feedback from our 526 owners. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue pushing innovation — while staying in Balance. #Balance540 #Catamaran #SailingLife #BoatBuild #Bluewater #LuxurySailing #Multihull

Meet Dreamer, the third Balance 502 to take to the water. She launched on a still, wintery Cape Town morning, the kind where the air is cold and the harbour sits quiet. There is always something to savour in watching a new boat meet the sea for the first time, and Dreamer made it look easy. See more launches and stories from across the Balance fleet on our blog: https://balancecatamarans.com/news-media/ Stay in balance.

Step aboard Black Rose, the very last Balance 526 ever built, anchored in the turquoise water off Clifton in Cape Town. This is a boat with a story in every detail. Her striking exterior wrap turns heads in any anchorage, while her interior was dreamed up by Studio Vara in California and brought to life by our team at Balance Catamarans St. Francis. The result is a one-of-a-kind blend of West Coast design vision and handcrafted South African boatbuilding. In this short tour we let the interior speak for itself: the light, the lines, the materials, and the sense of space that has made the 526 such a beloved model across the Balance fleet. As the final hull in the series, Black Rose marks the close of a remarkable chapter. We hope you enjoy spending three minutes aboard her. Learn more about Balance Catamarans: https://balancecatamarans.com Subscribe for more walkthroughs, owner stories, and life aboard performance cruising catamarans. #BalanceCatamarans #Balance526 #Catamaran #SailingCatamaran #YachtInterior #CapeTown #BlackRose #PerformanceCruising #LiveaboardLife #SailingLife

This is what a performance catamaran is built to do. Sailing the Balance 502 Twin Fin, accelerating to 18 knots (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ca0JEmjBWCk?feature=share) and cruising comfortably at 12 to 14, cutting clean through open water. Twin Fin is built with our full carbon core structure. Carbon bulkheads, beams, daggerboards, cabin soles, and rudders save over a ton of structural weight, and you see exactly where that weight saving goes the moment she powers up. Stiffness, acceleration, and real bluewater speed without sacrificing the liveaboard interior Balance is known for. No gimmicks, no exaggerated polars. Just a fast sailing catamaran doing what she was designed to do. The Balance 502 is the newest model in our lineup, replacing the celebrated 482. Designed by Du Toit Yacht Design and built in Cape Town, South Africa, available in Carbon Core and VersaDrive hybrid configurations. Explore the Balance 502: https://balancecatamarans.com/502-2/ Read how the carbon core saves over a ton: https://balancecatamarans.com/over-a-ton-saved-what-the-carbon-core-really-does-for-the-502/ #Balance502 #PerformanceCatamaran #FastCatamaran #SailingCatamaran #CarbonFiber #CatamaranSailing #BlueWaterSailing #BalanceCatamarans #SailingFast

Step inside the Balance 502, the newest performance catamaran from Balance Catamarans. A pure visual tour of the 502's Italian-inspired interior. No talking, just the boat. Mullion-free panoramic windows. Expanded overhead hatches. Natural light and airflow throughout the saloon. Frameless cabinetry, fine joinery, and a layout designed for real liveaboard cruising. This is what a luxury sailing catamaran interior looks like when performance and comfort are built side by side. The Balance 502 replaces the celebrated Balance 482 and is built with a full carbon core structure, available in standard Carbon Core or VersaDrive hybrid configurations. Designed by Du Toit Yacht Design and built in Cape Town, South Africa for serious bluewater sailors. Explore the Balance 502: https://balancecatamarans.com/502-2/ Design your own interior with our configurator: https://balancecatamarans.com/502-2/design-your-own-balance-502/ #Balance502 #PerformanceCatamaran #CatamaranInterior #SailingCatamaran #LiveaboardLife #LuxuryCatamaran #BlueWaterSailing #CatamaranTour #BalanceCatamarans

Phil Berman, founder of Balance Catamarans, joins us live from the Multihull Show in La Grande-Motte, France, aboard hull number two of the Balance 580. In this update, Phil shares a remarkable milestone.... Balance Catamarans will have launched 100 hulls by the end of this year, just over a decade since the company was founded in 2012. Phil walks us through the latest on the redesigned Balance 502 and 464, both featuring a new carbon structure that saves over a ton of weight, pushing them firmly into the high-performance cruiser category. He also gives us a first look at the upcoming Balance 540 ... a luxury 4-cabin catamaran with a cutter rig, higher bridge deck clearance, and a walk-in galley, set to launch in spring 2026. Plus, hear about the growing Balance owners community, recent rally in Tortola, and their partnership with Outer Passage for hands-on sailing experiences. 00:00 Show Intro on 580 00:23 Milestone 100 Cats 00:48 New Models Update 01:11 Carbon Build Tech 01:35 Upcoming 540 Preview 02:23 Europe Model Rollout 02:40 Owners Rally Growth 03:01 Try Before You Buy 03:31 Surf Culture Design 04:25 Balance DNA and Shows 04:52 Closing Sign Off 📍 Seen at: Multihull Show, La Grande-Motte, France 🔗 Learn more: www.balancecatamarans.com

Ever wondered what it's like to sail a world-class catamaran to places most charter boats never reach? Outer Passage runs crewed sailing voyages aboard Balance Catamarans — and every trip is built around you. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced sailor, you'll leave with real skills, real confidence, and maybe a serious case of the sailing life. What to expect: ✅ Daily hands-on sailing — you're at the helm, not watching ✅ Morning education sessions on weather, systems & safety ✅ Remote anchorages, island hops & unforgettable sunsets ✅ Ladies-only voyages available ✅ Charter credit applicable toward buying a Balance Catamaran 👉 Learn more: https://balancecatamarans.com/try-before-you-buy/ 📩 Contact Outer Passage: https://www.outer-passage.com/passages #sailing #catamaran #sailinglife #bluewater #chartervoyage

Rich spent 70 years sailing before finally building his dream boat — the all-carbon Balance 580, Blue Diamond. After owning a Balance 526 and "failing his first retirement," Rich came back to St. Francis Bay with a very specific wishlist for his circumnavigation build. In this video, he walks us through every custom feature on board and shares why he chose Balance — twice. What makes Blue Diamond special: Hydraulic furling on the genoa and working jib for single-handed night watches Twin 110hp engines (nearly double the standard) for fast, safe passages Full carbon build — hull, rig, and standing rigging Speed-rewind winches controllable from the helm Onboard hydroponic garden in the galley Perfectly balanced weight distribution for optimized waterline Rich also shares what it's like to work with the Balance build team, and why the culture at Balance sets it apart from any other boatyard he's encountered. 🌊 Follow Rich's circumnavigation journey as he and his South African crew, Ian and Angie, set sail for the world. 🔔 Subscribe for more owner stories, build walkthroughs, and life aboard content. 📩 Enquire about your own Balance catamaran: www.balancecatamarans.com #Balance580 #Catamaran #BlueWaterSailing #Sailing #Circumnavigation #CatamaranLife #BalanceCatamarans #Liveaboard #SailingLife

Join us for a lunchtime walk through the Balance Catamarans factory in Cape Town, where production is in full swing across multiple hulls and models. In this update, we take you through the entire production line — from boats fresh out of the molds in early assembly, through fairing and paint, all the way to the finishing bay. Highlights include: - 464 already in the painting phase, set for launch in 2026 - The new centerline skylight on the 464 bringing more light and air to the saloon - The frameless window setup delivering a stunning 180° saloon view - Improved headroom on the 502, even on the smallest vessel in the lineup - 🏁 442 Hull 30 — the very last 442 ever built, nearing completion 2025 and 2026 are landmark years for Balance Catamarans, with new models entering the water and a generation of iconic builds coming to a close. A huge thank you to the hundreds of skilled hands making it all happen on the floor every day. Stay in Balance. #BalanceCatamarans #Catamaran #BoatBuilding #CapeTown #Sailing #464 #502 #442 #Liveaboard #SailingLife

Here's the updated full description: 🥂 Hull Launch — Marnie Kai 3 | Balance 580 Performance Catamaran Watch as Marnie Kai 3, a stunning Balance 580, takes to the water for the very first time. A milestone moment for her proud owners — and the beginning of many great adventures ahead. The Balance 580 represents the pinnacle of performance cruising catamaran design — built by hand in St. Francis Bay, South Africa. Built with foam-cored epoxy construction and carbon reinforcement throughout, she delivers exceptional speed and agility without compromising on luxury or offshore capability. Designed for sailors who demand offshore capability without sacrificing luxury, she is SAIL Magazine's Boat of the Year for 2026. Whether crossing oceans or exploring coastlines, Marnie Kai 3 is built to go anywhere the wind takes her. 🌊 Fair winds and following seas. #Balance580 #CatamaranLaunch #MarnieKai3 #BalanceCatamarans #SailingLife #Catamaran #BoatLaunch #BlueWaterSailing #PerformanceCruising #SailLife

What does a full carbon core actually do for the weight of a Balance Catamaran? On launch day for Twin Fin — our latest 502 — we break down exactly where the weight savings come from and what it means for performance on the water. Key highlights: ⚖️ Over 1 ton (2,200+ lbs) of weight saved on the 502 and 464 🔩 Full carbon fiber bulkheads, partition panels, cabin soles, and tanks — replacing traditional E-glass throughout 🧪 Full vinyl ester resin hull construction for stronger, lighter laminates 🪵 Foam core cabinetry with handmade doors — no shortcuts on fit-out 🚀 Benefits: better performance, greater bridge clearance, and increased load carrying capacity This isn't about stripping out comfort. Every creature comfort you'd expect from a bluewater passagemaker is still there — refrigeration, air conditioning, full cabinetry. We're simply building it lighter and stronger. 👉 Watch Phil's full factory carbon core deep-dive: https://youtu.be/xuGcnsQxXVQ Stay connected for more updates on Twin Fin's sea trials and everything coming in 2026. #BalanceCatamarans #CarbonCore #502 #464 #Catamaran #BlueWaterSailing #WeightSaving #CatamaranBuild #SailingLife #Liveaboard #TwinFin

2,000 miles of open ocean behind you. The anchor drops. And suddenly… life on land feels foreign. This is Part 2 of our Atlantic crossing aboard Balance 526 Väster — and it's less about sailing, and more about what happens when you arrive somewhere so remote, so real, and so utterly unlike anywhere else on earth, that it stops you in your tracks. St Helena Island sits alone in the South Atlantic. No cruise ship crowds. No tourist traps. Just 4,500 warm souls, 699 steps of sheer grit, a fish fry that brings the whole town together, and a restaurant that sailors have been talking about for decades. We were lucky enough to share the anchorage with Windigo — the first ever Balance 580 to make this passage — which made an already extraordinary landfall feel like something even more special. This is what the Balance community looks like when it meets on the water. Onboard Väster: – Dean Paarman (Balance Catamarans) – Kirk & Catherine Brunsen (Owners) – Josh Solomon (Captain) Boat: Balance 526 Väster 🌍 Read the full story: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com/atlantic-crossing-part-2/ (link live soon) 🔗 Miss Part 1? Cape Town to St Helena: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com/atlantic-crossing-part-1/ 🏝️ Planning a stop at St Helena? Here's what you need to know: St Helena is one of the most remote islands on earth — and one of the most rewarding stops on any Atlantic passage. A subtropical paradise where mountainous terrain and microclimates create an astounding diversity of landscapes, all within a few minutes' drive. St Helena Tourism 🧭 Start here: 👉 Official St Helena Tourism: https://sthelenatourism.com 👉 Visitor Information (St Helena Government): https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/visitors/ 🍽️ Anne's Place — Don't skip it. A family-run institution in Jamestown, tucked behind Castle Gardens, known for traditional home-cooked local cuisine — St Helena fish cakes, fresh local fish, and a warm welcome that sailors never forget. St Helena Tourism Its ceiling is a canopy of flags from vessels all over the world, each signed by the crew. Visitors' books tell the story of decades of passages. St Helena Island We left a new log book and started a Balance sticker tradition on the phone booth — keep it going. 👉 https://sthelenatourism.com/restaurants/annes-place/ 🐟 The Wednesday Night Fish Fry at the Yacht Club On Wednesday nights, it feels as if all of Jamestown turns out for the weekly fish fry, held quayside along the harbour. With cold drinks, sea air and animated conversation, the St Helena Yacht Club reveals itself as a true community hub and a welcoming haven for visitors. Become a member. It costs almost nothing (5GBP) and it means everything. 🚗 Hire a car and drive the interior — we can't recommend this enough. Car hire is the most practical way to explore the island. Sainthelenaisland All hire is through small local businesses — personal, affordable, and far better than any chain. Book well in advance as demand is high, not just from visitors but from returning Saints as well. St Helena Tourism 👉 Car hire listings: https://sthelenatourism.com/hire-types/rental-car-hire/ 🪜 Jacob's Ladder — You have to do it. 699 steps between lower Jamestown and Ladder Hill Fort, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into the island's history. St Helena Tourism 280 metres of walking distance. 185 metres of elevation. Average 40-degree incline. Don't say we didn't warn you. 📖 For visiting sailors — everything you need: 👉 https://sainthelenaisland.info/visiting_by_yacht/ 👉 Noonsite port info: https://www.noonsite.com/place/st-helena/jamestown/ 💳 Practical tip: Card acceptance is limited. Bring British pounds (GBP = SHP on island) or set up the Bank of St Helena Tourist Card before you arrive. 🛥️ About Balance Catamarans: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com 📸 Instagram: @balancecatamarans 📘 Facebook: /BalanceCatamarans ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Atlantic Passage Recap 00:07 Landfall at St Helena 01:10 Yacht Club and Windigo Meetup 02:44 Fuel Work and Rest Day 03:18 Permission to Fish 03:43 Fish Fry Gig Prep 04:25 Annes and Jamestown Stroll 05:01 Live Music Night 09:27 Island Drive and Roadside Shop 11:29 Departure Prep and Customs 12:59 Provisioning and Deep Clean 15:03 Cliffs and Jacobs Ladder 17:17 Farewell and Next Leg Make sure you're subscribed — Part 3 is coming as we cross to Fernando de Noronha on the other side of the Atlantic. Stay in balance.

Sneak preview of the sailing fun as 12 Balance Catamarans gather in the BVI for the first Rally in 2026.

Get an exclusive first look at the Balance 540 — the latest addition to the Balance range, expected to launch late 2026 or early 2027. In this video we walk you through some of the exciting new features including the 540 VersaStern, VersaHelm™, the redesigned saloon, and where we are in the build process. 🔗 Get the full build spec: https://balancecatamarans.com/the-balance-540/ 🔗 Learn more about the Balance 540: https://balancecatamarans.com/the-balance-540/ Stay Balance. #Balance540 #BalanceCatamarans #CatamaranBuild #BluewaterCruising #Catamaran #SailingLife

How often do we truly slow down… and hand our lives over to the ocean? This is the first leg of an Atlantic crossing aboard a Balance 526 — from Cape Town to St Helena. But this isn’t just a passage… it’s something far more meaningful. It’s the beginning of ownership. It’s the ultimate offshore shakedown. And for many Balance owners — it’s a rite of passage. With 1,700 nautical miles behind you… and 1,700 ahead… life simplifies. Your world becomes wind, waves, watches, and the quiet space in between. Onboard: – Dean Paarman (Balance Catamarans) – Kirk & Catherine Brunssen (Owners) – Josh Solomon (Skipper) Boat: Balance 526 Väster From last-minute provisioning in Cape Town to high-speed runs offshore, settling into watch systems, and finding rhythm at sea — this is where the journey truly begins. 🌍 Read the full story: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com/atlantic-crossing-part-1/ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Why Sail Away 01:18 Last Minute Provisioning 04:09 Meet Väster and Crew 05:12 Leaving Cape Town 07:32 First Night Offshore 09:26 Dialing In the Sails 13:37 Day Three Speed Runs 16:09 Staying Safe at Pace 17:06 Sea Legs and Burgers 18:39 Watch System Explained 23:38 Food and Boat Routines 27:44 Crew Bonds and Quiet 29:25 Calm Day and Motoring 31:45 Fishing and What’s Next

What does it actually take to build a catamaran that's safe, livable, and fast — without compromising any of the three? https://balancecatamarans.com/built-to-last-the-engineering-philosophy-behind-our-catamarans/ Phil Berman & Dean Paarman sit to to break down the engineering philosophy behind Balance Catamarans, from Du Toit Yacht Design's role in laminate schedules and structural integrity, to why major components are built to a 2:1 safety factor — double the calculated load. We also get into the real tradeoffs between weight, durability, and comfort: why glass wins over Lexan, why storage volume matters on a cruising cat, and what CE Category A offshore certification actually means for a boat's resale value and safety. Plus — the escape hatch debate, why beam-to-length ratio determines how well your cat sails in light air, and the reefing guidelines that keep you from flying a hull. 00:00 Engineering and Certification 01:24 Safety Factors and Weight 02:58 Materials and Livability Tradeoffs 04:01 Escape Hatches Debate 05:15 CE vs US Standards 05:51 Beam Width and Stability 07:03 Reefing and No Hull Flying 07:40 Wrap Up and Guidelines Link: https://balancecatamarans.com/design-for-safety/ Link: https://balancecatamarans.com/built-to-last-the-engineering-philosophy-behind-our-catamarans/ Catamaran Conversations with Patrick Shaughnessy: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ZKlaZSmtsRpY6CxjveL9BKi5k3mQwkx

Meet Blue Diamond — a stunning new Balance 580 fresh out of the Saint Francis Bay yard on her very first factory sea trial. This early-stage trial is all about the fundamentals: engine performance, systems checks, leak inspections, and navigation — the essential groundwork before rigging is even touched. No sails yet, just pure motoring through the bay. And she does not disappoint. Highlights from the trial: Exceptional stability on the water Comfortably cruising at 11–12 knots under motor A first look at this beautiful new hull in her natural environment Rigging setup and sailing sea trials are coming soon — stay tuned. 🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss the next chapter of Blue Diamond's journey. 📖 We publish new stories weekly — check out our blog for the latest from the yard and beyond: 👉 https://balancecatamarans.com/news-media/ #Balance580 #BlueDeamong #Catamaran #SeaTrial #SaintFrancisBay #BalanceCatamarans