The agile multi-tasker is the ideal performance cruiser for island hoppers yet fully capable of trans-oceanic adventure travel.
Overview
Overall Length
13.50m
44.29ft
Beam Overall
7.6m
24.93ft
Sail Area
112.0m2
1,205ft2
Designers
Philip Berman
Draft (Boards Up)
1.16m
3.81ft
Base Boat Displacement
11,800kgs
26,014 lbs
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
The Hull
Carbon Cross Performance Hull
We use E-glass (a Silica -based fiber) with significant carbon-fiber reinforcement in the high-load areas of our hulls and decks. Every Balance 442 is hand-laminated and vacuum-bagged with closed cell foam cores with a combination of polyester inner-skin resin and vinylester outer-skin resin.
Guided Walk-Through
See 442 Interior
Caramalized Bamboo
Zebrano
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 Clearance
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
Reviews
“On the water, Balance Catamarans achieve the elusive combination of excellent performance in a broad range of wind and sea conditions, on most points of sail, with good payload-carrying ability.”
Seahorse Magazine
“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
“The choice of materials is qualitative (the foam core and wood veneer for furniture), as well as the overall finish, in a word: impeccable.”
Voile Magazine
“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