Inside the Balance 502: What Makes a Carbon Core Catamaran Different

Join Phil Berman, President of Balance Catamarans, for a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of one of our very first Balance 502s during its final assembly stage at our Cape Town yard. In this detailed update, Phil explains: What “Carbon Core” means and how it differs from our earlier carbon-cross builds. Why we’ve chosen to integrate carbon bulkheads, trunks, tanks, soles, steps, davits, and partition panels. The benefits of lighter, stiffer construction without sacrificing comfort, strength, or durability. How vinyl ester resin across the entire build (hulls) adds further strength and weight savings. Key innovations in the 502, including carbon daggerboard trunks, stringers in the bows, new skylight and ventilation systems, and redesigned interiors. The Balance 502 represents a major leap forward in our design philosophy: merging performance and comfort by carefully engineering weight savings with the highest-quality materials. By using Carbon Core construction, we’re able to deliver faster, stronger, and more payload-capable voyaging catamarans—without compromising the handcrafted cabinetry and luxury finish that define Balance. ⚓️ Boats featured: Balance 502 (Hulls #1 #2 #3 and #4 already in build), Balance 442, Balance 464 (next in line), with references to the Balance 540, 580, and 750. 🌍 Filmed: August 2025, Cape Town, South Africa. We’re excited to share the journey of the Balance 502 as she nears completion—and hope to showcase her at a Boat Show in the new yeat. 👉 Have questions about Carbon Core or Balance Catamarans? Leave them in the comments or email us—we’d love to hear from you. Stay in Balance. #BalanceCatamarans #Balance502 #CarbonCore #PerformanceCatamaran #CatamaranLife 00:00 Introduction to Balance Catamarans 00:19 Final Assembly Stage Explained 00:38 What is a Carbon Core Boat? 01:46 Customer Request and Decision to Use Carbon Core 02:23 Carbon Core Construction Details 03:00 Vinyl Ester vs Polyester Resin 03:28 Carbon Components in the 502 Model 05:55 Starboard Hall and Weight Savings 08:20 Partition Panels and Stringers 12:29 Performance and Comfort Balance 14:23 Future Models and Excitement 15:10 Conclusion and Contact Information