For decades, Patrick Shaughnessy, president of the world-renowned Farr Yacht Design, built his career designing and racing some of the fastest and most celebrated monohulls in sailing history. But when it came time to commission a personal cruising yacht, Shaughnessy made a bold move, choosing a Balance 464 catamaran for his next adventure.
As highlighted in Herb McCormick’s recent Yachting article, this marks a significant shift for Shaughnessy, whose career has been defined by high-performance single-hulled vessels. His decision reflects a growing trend in the sailing world: embracing the versatility and comfort of cruising catamarans.
Why the Balance 464?
At Balance Catamarans, we’re incredibly honoured to welcome Shaughnessy to our community of performance voyagers. The Balance 464, which he plans to take delivery of in 2026, is a groundbreaking addition to our lineup. Currently under construction in Cape Town, the 464 is designed for both high-speed island hopping and trans-oceanic exploration.
Built with carbon fiber reinforcements, this agile multitasker offers hybrid propulsion through our optional VersaDrive system, providing unparalleled flexibility for cruisers. Whether you’re looking to harness solar power, expand your lithium battery bank, or carry a heavier tender, the 464 delivers exceptional performance without compromise.
Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation
Our team, led by Balance founder and president Phil Berman and naval architect Anton du Toit, has worked tirelessly to refine the Balance 464. Like all our models, it embodies Balance’s core values: sleek design, superior ergonomics, and advanced engineering.
The Balance 464, with its longer waterline and increased payload capacity, is set to redefine performance cruising. Whether outfitted for hybrid power or optimized for traditional sailing, it promises a thrilling experience on every voyage.
A Shared Passion for Exploration
Shaughnessy’s sailing ambitions reflect the spirit of Balance Catamarans. With plans to sail from South Africa to Grenada, explore the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas, and potentially venture to French Polynesia, his Balance 464 will be more than a vessel—it will be a home.
As he puts it: “Every time we went exploring, at some stage, I really wanted to get home. So we started thinking, what if we just brought home with us?”
We look forward to handing over his Balance 464 in 2026 and are excited to see where his journey takes him.
The story also featured in Yachting News, Europe’s largest yachting publisher: READ HERE
