→ Sailing Archives - Balance Catamarans https://balancecatamarans.com/category/boats/sailing/ Engineered for Performance - Crafted for Quality - Designed for Living Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:35:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://balancecatamarans.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/favicon.svg → Sailing Archives - Balance Catamarans https://balancecatamarans.com/category/boats/sailing/ 32 32 CAPE TO CANET – A Transatlantic Voyage Aboard Balance 580 Swann https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-580-cape-to-canet/ https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-580-cape-to-canet/#respond Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:37:02 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=16771 From Cape Town to Canet-en-Roussillon, 7,353 Nautical Miles in 36 Days The Balance 580 “Swann” has completed her maiden voyage — an unforgettable 36-day journey across the Atlantic and into the Mediterranean. This performance cruising catamaran set sail from Cape Town, South Africa, and arrived safely in Canet-en-Roussillon, France, covering over 7,300 nautical miles in […]

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From Cape Town to Canet-en-Roussillon, 7,353 Nautical Miles in 36 Days

The Balance 580 “Swann” has completed her maiden voyage — an unforgettable 36-day journey across the Atlantic and into the Mediterranean. This performance cruising catamaran set sail from Cape Town, South Africa, and arrived safely in Canet-en-Roussillon, France, covering over 7,300 nautical miles in style and comfort.

Here’s a day-by-day recap of this epic voyage — with highlights, photos, and reflections from onboard.

📍 Day 1 – Cape Town Departure

Swann passes through the iconic lifting bridge, leaving Africa behind for the open ocean. The adventure begins!

🌊 Day 2–4 – Settling In at Sea

Gentle breezes and choppy seas mark the early days. The crew begins to find their rhythm as the boat cruises steadily toward Saint Helena.

🌅 Day 5–8 – Ocean Flow

With solid trade winds and smooth sailing, life onboard falls into a peaceful routine. A stop at Saint Helena lies ahead.

🏝 Day 9–10 – Saint Helena Stopover

Swann anchors at the legendary island of Saint Helena. Time for refueling, rest, and a brush with history.

🌞 Day 11–14 – Northbound Magic

The open ocean stretches wide. Dolphins join the ride. The crew crosses 2,400 NM in style, with stunning sunsets and timeless moments.

🧭 Day 15–16 – Performance Meets Purpose

Swann proves her bluewater credentials — fast, efficient, and fully solar-powered. Then… she crosses the Equator!

🌬 Day 17–21 – Trade Winds & Cape Verde

Southeast trades push Swann north at 200 NM/day. Arrival in Mindelo marks a crew change and short break before the next leg.

⛵ Day 22–27 – Toward Gibraltar

With full sails and favorable winds, Swann makes swift progress. A few upwind days test her mettle — and she handles it with ease.

🌅 Day 28–30 – Calm Before the Med

Glasslike seas and quiet motoring define this leg. Dolphins return to ride the bow. Nature delivers daily magic.

🇲🇦 Day 31–32 – Tangier Stop

A brief stop in Morocco to refuel and avoid orca zones. The crew sets sights on the final stretch.

🌊 Day 33–35 – Spanish Coastline

Sailing through the Mediterranean, up the coast of Spain. Excitement builds as Canet draws near.

🎉 Day 36 – Arrival in Canet

7,353 nautical miles later, Balance 580 “Swann” arrives in France. A triumphant end to an elegant, efficient, and inspiring crossing.

⚓ Voyage Summary

  • Distance: 7,353 NM

  • Duration: 36 days

  • Average Speed: 8.5 knots

  • Engine Hours: 200

  • Highlights: Equator crossing, dolphin encounters, full solar autonomy, perfect sunsets

More posts about the Balance 580

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-580-cape-to-canet/feed/ 0 Balance Wins Again: Atlantic Victories for Catalyst & Eliza Jane https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-wins-again-atlantic-victories-for-catalyst-eliza-jane/ https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-wins-again-atlantic-victories-for-catalyst-eliza-jane/#respond Fri, 13 Jun 2025 09:01:37 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=16510 At Balance Catamarans, performance isn’t just a promise—it’s a proven reality. This past week, two of our performance bluewater catamarans left their mark on the Atlantic, finishing first in two separate ocean crossings. Catalyst Crushes the ARC Rally Congratulations to Catalyst, a Balance 526, and her owner David, for an incredible performance in the World […]

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At Balance Catamarans, performance isn’t just a promise—it’s a proven reality. This past week, two of our performance bluewater catamarans left their mark on the Atlantic, finishing first in two separate ocean crossings.

Catalyst Crushes the ARC Rally

Congratulations to Catalyst, a Balance 526, and her owner David, for an incredible performance in the World Cruising Club’s ARC Europe rally from Bermuda to the Azores. Catalyst was first to finish among all boats, first multihull across the line, and first in Multihull Division A—a clean sweep! The crossing was completed in just eight days, an impressive feat by any standard and a testament to the speed, balance, and seaworthiness of the 526.

You can learn more about the ARC Europe rally here: ARC Europe Event Page

Eliza Jane Leads the Salty Dawg Rally

Hot on the heels of Catalyst’s win, Eliza Jane, a Balance 482, finished first in the Salty Dawg Rally from Bermuda to the Azores just a few days later. Another fast, confident transatlantic passage that highlights why Balance owners trust their boats to go the distance—quickly, safely, and in style.

These wins aren’t just about being first—though we certainly love that. They’re about proving what Balance Catamarans are built for: fast, comfortable, owner-driven bluewater sailing. We’re incredibly proud of both crews and honored to see our designs leading the way across the world’s oceans.

Balance leads. Others follow.

Congratulations to Catalyst, Eliza Jane, and their intrepid owners!

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-wins-again-atlantic-victories-for-catalyst-eliza-jane/feed/ 0 Balance crushes it in the ARC! ️ https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-crushes-it-in-the-arc-%ef%b8%8f/ https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-crushes-it-in-the-arc-%ef%b8%8f/#respond Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:48:12 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=16456 Balance does it again. David Price’s Balance 526 Catalyst crushes the fleet in the World Cruising Club ARC Bermuda to Azores race. First to finish of All boats, 1st Multihull to finish, first Multihull in Division A. The entire crossing was done in eight days! Balance leads, others follow. Congratulations David!     Explore Balance 526

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Balance does it again. David Price‘s Balance 526 Catalyst crushes the fleet in the World Cruising Club ARC Bermuda to Azores race. First to finish of All boats, 1st Multihull to finish, first Multihull in Division A. The entire crossing was done in eight days! Balance leads, others follow. Congratulations David!   
 
Explore Balance 526

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/balance-crushes-it-in-the-arc-%ef%b8%8f/feed/ 0 The 6,000NM Balance Shakedown Cruise https://balancecatamarans.com/the-6000nm-balance-shakedown-cruise/ https://balancecatamarans.com/the-6000nm-balance-shakedown-cruise/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 08:57:11 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=16138 Written by Dean Paarman, Director of Multimedia & Community Enrichment At the end of January 2025, Balance 526 Hull #29—Väster—splashed in St. Francis Bay alongside the very first Balance 580, Windigo. For proud new owners Kirk and Catherine Brunsson, it marked the start of their very own journey at the helm—after years as devoted members […]

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Written by Dean Paarman, Director of Multimedia & Community Enrichment

At the end of January 2025, Balance 526 Hull #29—Väster—splashed in St. Francis Bay alongside the very first Balance 580, Windigo. For proud new owners Kirk and Catherine Brunsson, it marked the start of their very own journey at the helm—after years as devoted members of the Balance community. With over 7,000 nautical miles under their belts crewing aboard other Balance catamarans, they were more than ready to take the helm of their own performance bluewater cruiser.

I have the incredible privilege of joining them—not just from the early days of build and commissioning, but through sea trials in Cape Town, and now, across the Atlantic Ocean. I’m writing this update from a quiet anchorage off the remote island of St. Helena, where we’re taking a short pause before setting sail again—this time toward Fernando de Noronha.

While I’ll be sharing a full-length video and story once I’m back on land and back in the editing chair, I wanted to give you a sneak peek of what this incredible passage has looked like so far.

Journey Highlights

A Viking Send-Off
 Kirk and Catherine – strong Nordic ties –  made their departure from Cape Town in true style by donning horned Viking helmets as Väster set sail. Spirits were high and the excitement was contagious.

Day 1: Easing In
 After a light start with barely a breeze, we motored for about 6 hours at 6 knots in search of wind. Along the way, we enjoyed sunshine, gentle swells, and sightings of playful seals along South Africa’s West Coast. By the evening, the wind had filled in—and we were sailing under starry skies.

Despite the soft start, we logged over 215 nautical miles on Day 1.

Days 2–7: Flying
 For six straight days, we had strong winds and a steady sea state. Even sailing conservatively—with a second reef and jib—we averaged over 220 nautical miles per day. At times, Väster surfed along effortlessly at speeds up to 20 knots, with a top speed of 23 knots recorded.

This performance was all the more impressive considering she was fully loaded with:

  • Four months of provisions
  • Full diesel and water tanks
  • Toys, gear, and spares
  • Catherine’s full professional music sound system

Even under load, Väster proved she’s not just a very comfortable liveaboard—she’s a true high-performance machine.

Days 8–9: Back to the Calm
 As we neared St. Helena, the wind faded and the seas calmed. We motored the final three days and dropped anchor on Day 9. Waiting in the harbor was Windigo, the first Balance 580, and the two crews shared a celebratory dinner to mark the moment.

Life on St. Helena

This remote island is unlike any other—rugged, welcoming, and full of character. During our stay, we’ve taken care of routine boat maintenance, explored ashore, and even hosted a live music night at the St. Helena Yacht Club. Picture this: a full sound system set up under the stars, islanders and sailors gathered together, and music echoing across the mooring field. A surreal and unforgettable moment.

What’s Next?

We’ll be lifting anchor soon and heading west to Fernando de Noronha. The Atlantic is far from finished with us yet—and neither is this story.

I’ll be sharing the full video chronicle of Väster’s shakedown cruise once I’m back on dry land.

In the meantime, be sure to:

✅ Subscribe to Balance Catamarans on YouTube
 ✅ Sign up for the Balance Newsletter

There’s much more to come.

Fair winds,
 Dean Paarman
 Director of Multimedia & Community Enrichment

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/the-6000nm-balance-shakedown-cruise/feed/ 0 Sailing the Balance 580 – Test Sail https://balancecatamarans.com/sailing-the-balance-580-test-sail/ https://balancecatamarans.com/sailing-the-balance-580-test-sail/#respond Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:12:00 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=15486 Explore Balance 580

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Explore Balance 580

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/sailing-the-balance-580-test-sail/feed/ 0 How to Sail a Balance 526 Catamaran – Training with ‪Outer Passage‬ https://balancecatamarans.com/how-to-sail-a-balance-526-catamaran-training-with-outer-passage/ https://balancecatamarans.com/how-to-sail-a-balance-526-catamaran-training-with-outer-passage/#respond Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:29:00 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=15854 Join Darren and Amanda (‪@OuterPassage‬) as they share their experiences of cruising and sail training aboard a Balance 526 catamaran. In 2024, they’ve navigated 20,000 nautical miles, from Grenada to St. Martin, Bermuda, and into the Mediterranean and back. This video series answers frequently asked questions and covers topics like the A-Frame main sheet system, […]

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Join Darren and Amanda (‪@OuterPassage‬) as they share their experiences of cruising and sail training aboard a Balance 526 catamaran. In 2024, they’ve navigated 20,000 nautical miles, from Grenada to St. Martin, Bermuda, and into the Mediterranean and back. This video series answers frequently asked questions and covers topics like the A-Frame main sheet system, sail trimming, night sailing, and more. Perfect for those new to sailing, building miles, or curious about cruising.

 

For Balance Owners: To access the complete series (20 videos) you can log in on the Owner’s Portal and navigate to: https://owners.balancecatamarans.com/…

 

For more info on Sail Training and Passage making with outer Passage: https://www.outer-passage.com/

Explore Balance Education

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/how-to-sail-a-balance-526-catamaran-training-with-outer-passage/feed/ 0 Sail Training – Balance 442 #21 Bubbles Up https://balancecatamarans.com/sail-training-balance-442-21-bubbles-up/ https://balancecatamarans.com/sail-training-balance-442-21-bubbles-up/#respond Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:10:00 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=15480 Explore Balance 442

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Explore Balance 442

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/sail-training-balance-442-21-bubbles-up/feed/ 0 Testing New Sails – Balance 482 SeaEsta https://balancecatamarans.com/testing-new-sails-balance-482-seaesta/ https://balancecatamarans.com/testing-new-sails-balance-482-seaesta/#respond Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:05:00 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=15415 Explore Balance 482

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Explore Balance 482

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/testing-new-sails-balance-482-seaesta/feed/ 0 Testing New Sails – Balance 482 Windependent https://balancecatamarans.com/testing-new-sails-balance-482-windependent/ https://balancecatamarans.com/testing-new-sails-balance-482-windependent/#respond Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:01:00 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=15409 Explore Balance 482

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Explore Balance 482

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]]> https://balancecatamarans.com/testing-new-sails-balance-482-windependent/feed/ 0 Sea Trial Highlights from Cannes, Balance 526 https://balancecatamarans.com/sea-trial-highlights-from-cannes-balance-526/ https://balancecatamarans.com/sea-trial-highlights-from-cannes-balance-526/#respond Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:41:00 +0000 https://balancecatamarans.com/?p=15385 After her exciting debut at the Cannes International Yachting Festival, the Balance 526 catamaran, Pippilotta, embarked on a thrilling sea trial off the coast of the Cote Azure. Anchoring for the night, she readied for a day of shifting winds and dynamic sailing, setting the stage for a truly memorable journey.  Link to Article: https://www.yachtingnews.com/balance-…  […]

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After her exciting debut at the Cannes International Yachting Festival, the Balance 526 catamaran, Pippilotta, embarked on a thrilling sea trial off the coast of the Cote Azure. Anchoring for the night, she readied for a day of shifting winds and dynamic sailing, setting the stage for a truly memorable journey. 

Link to Article: https://www.yachtingnews.com/balance-… 

From calm, coffee-sipping mornings on the bow to the rush of handling gusty conditions, this video captures every moment as our crew and guests tested Pippilotta’s prowess. With Darren and Amanda from Outer Passage at the helm, Pippilotta handled it all with ease—showing her impressive speed, maneuverability, and stability, even as conditions changed. Reaching up to 12 knots on a beam reach and demonstrating her sturdy build through two-meter swells, Pippilotta showcased the performance and comfort that define Balance Catamarans. 

Join us as we tack up the narrow channel, push her speed with the code zero on a broad reach, and share a rare behind-the-scenes view of the spacious cabins—perfectly quiet even amidst challenging seas. The day ended with a Q&A, a downwind run back to Cannes, and a surprising 180-degree wind shift, adding an unexpected twist to an already eventful journey. 

Explore the nuances that make Pippilotta a dream for ocean-crossing enthusiasts and get inspired for your next adventure. Want to experience a Balance sea trial for yourself? Be sure to book a slot at an upcoming boat show.

Explore Balance 526

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