The Balance 526 - Balance Catamarans

Our Models

526

With her heavily carbon reinforced structures and total epoxy construction, she sails like a racer yet remains amazingly easy to operate and maintain.

526 - #23 - PIPPILOTTA - SAILING St Francis 14

526 - _20 - DAYDREAM - INTERIOR SALOON 5

Overview

Overall Length

16m

52.5ft

Beam Overall

8.26m

27.17ft

Sail Area

157.1m2

1690ft2

Designers

Philip Berman

Draft (Boards Up)

1.12m

3.68ft

Base Boat Displacement

12,500kgs

27,558lbs

Anton du Toit

Performance

Someone once likened our 526 to a “BMW M Series,” so who are we to argue? With her foam core hulls and decks, carbon daggerboards, heavily carbon reinforced structures and total epoxy construction, she’s built and sails just like a high-performance racing cat yet remains amazingly easy to operate and maintain.

* Polars are known as Velocity Performance Predictions (VPP’s). Balance polars are calculated using advanced computer modeling from the Wolfson Unit at the University of South Hampton. The polars shown here are produced using the average launch weight displacement of a cruise equipped Balance 526. We do not run polars at lightships displacements because they are a poor predictor of catamaran performance in real world conditions. Our polars do assume a flat sea state, properly trimmed sails and a clean bottom. Polars of any kind, however, do not guarantee specific performance. Vessel performance in real world conditions vary due to sea state, hull condition, payloads, and the skill of the helmsman. To learn more about VPP’s and catamaran performance, click below to view our eight part Catamaran Conversations video series.

The 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 526 is hand-laminated and vacuum-bagged with closed cell foam cores in full epoxy construction.

The 526 XP is crafted with 100% epoxy resin and full carbon construction.

Fast as she is, the 526 interior carries more handmade cabinetry than any catamaran in her class, a gourmet galley, sumptuous owner’s shower, and an open-plan cockpit/salon that connects you to family, friends and nature seamlessly.

Guided Walk-Through

See 526 Interior

Design Your Balance

Zebrano

Walnut

Configurator

Designing your dream catamaran and how to use our visualization tool

What Owners Think

“Having owned and maintained more than a dozen yachts, including a Hinkley, Oyster, J-boats, Swan and Nautitech, Balance is by far and away the best boat I have ever owned and sailed!”

Todd H.

“Superb craftsmanship, delightful to work with, and absolutely beautiful boats.”

Irene V.

“Balance Catamarans, being a smaller, high-end, boutique shipyard, were prepared to work carefully with me to build the catamaran of my dreams.”

Piotr R.

“After years of planning we found Balance Catamarans to be the best combination of performance, quality of build and value on the market.”

Phil M.

“The team at Balance has an attention to detail, workmanship and overall quality that makes us very proud to be part of the Balance family.”

Barry S.

Layouts

Owner master berth starboard forward, owner master shower aft. Queen berth forward on port side with double bed aft. One or two heads on port side, depending on customer choice.

Queen berth forward on port side with double bed aft. One or two heads on port side, depending on customer choice.

Full Specs

Overall Length

16.00 m / 52.50 ft

Waterline Length

15.64 m / 51.31 ft

Beam Overall

8.26 m / 27.17 ft

Main Sail

106 m2 / 1,141 ft2

Working Self-Tracking Jib

43 m2 / 461 ft2

Sail Area (100% Foretriangle)

157.1 m2 / 1,690 ft2

Asymmetric Spinnaker

240 m2 / 2,582 ft2

Draft (Boards Down)

2.16 m / 7.07 ft

Draft (Boards Up)

1.12m / 3.68 ft

Draft Keeled Version

1.37 m / 4.5 ft

Air Draft / Mast Clearance

23.93 m / 78.53 ft

Bridgedeck Clearance

0.83 m / 2.72 ft

DISP (Base Boat – Daggerboard)

12,500 kgs / 27,558 lbs

DISP (Base Boat – Keeled)

12,500 kgs / 27,558 lbs

Davit Load

400 kgs / 882 lbs per arm
Max Length Tender: 4.0 m / 13 ft
Max Weight Tender w/OB: 255 kgs / 526 lbs

Screacher/Reacher

88 m2 / 947 ft2

Engine

YANMAR 4JH57 X SD 60
2× 57 HP / 2×43 kW

Fuel Capacity

2 x 500 ltrs / 2 x 130 gals

Fresh Water Capacity

2 x 390 ltrs / 2 x 103 gals

Black Water Capacity

2 x 60 ltrs / 2 x 16 gals

Maximum Displacement

15,625 kgs / 34,450 lbs

esigning your dream catamaran and how to use our visualization tool

Please note that, based on component availability and other factors, specifications are subject to change without notice. The weight of each yacht we build varies based on her interior fit-out, materials chosen, hardware and added equipment. All our catamarans are designed for best-in-class weight and sailing performance, without compromising strength or quality. Underwing clearance will vary based on the final fit out of the yacht together with what is stored on her, the amount of fuel and water she carries, and the number of passengers onboard.