The high-performance voyager was designed for sailors with speed in their hearts but luxury on their minds. View our first 580 Hull, just launched!
Speeds in excess of 20knots
Dual Daggerboards
Handmade Cabinetry
Carbon Reinforced
100% epoxy fabrication
Overview
Overall Length
17.78m
58.32ft
Beam Overall
8.6m
28.21ft
Sail Area
209.5m2
2,255ft2
Designers
Philip Berman
Draft (Boards Up)
1.65m
5.40ft
Base Boat Displacement (Standard Carbon Cross Version)
16,668kgs
36,753lbs
Anton du Toit
Performance
With her long lean hulls and carbon reinforced structure, foam core hulls, 100% epoxy construction, she’s a high performance luxury voyager for those who refuse to compromise. Upwind she points high, with little leeway, in the 8 to 11 knot range with her high aspect daggerboards. Reaching in true winds between 8 and 16 knots she’ll do wind-speed or better with ease. Put her in stiff winds and surf and let the excitement begin as she excellerates into the 20’s.
* 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
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 580 is hand-laminated and vacuum-bagged with closed cell foam cores in full epoxy construction.
The 580 XP is crafted with 100% epoxy resin and full carbon construction.
Guided Walk-Through
Design Your Balance or Pick from one of the Curated Designs below
Professionally Curated Design Themes by OLC Philadelphia
Configurator
Designing your dream catamaran and how to use our visualization tool
Layouts
Full Specs
Overall Length
17.78 m / 58.32 ft
Waterline Length
17.78 m / 58.33 ft
Beam Overall
8.6m / 28.21ft
Main Sail
140.9m2 / 1,516ft2
Working Jib
79.5 m2 / 856 ft2
Sail Area (100% Foretriangle)
209.5 m2 / 2,255 ft2
Asymmetric Spinnaker
310.83 m2 / 3,346 ft2
Draft (Boards Down)
3.35 m / 10.99 ft
Draft (Boards Up)
1.65 m / 5.40 ft
Draft (Keeled Version)
N/A
Air Draft / Mast Clearance
27.43 m / 89.99 ft
Bridgedeck Clearance (Base Boat)
1.10m / 3.61 ft
DISP (Base Boat – Daggerboard)
16,668 kgs / 36,753 lbs (Standard Carbon Cross Version)
DISP (Base Boat – Keeled)
N/A
Davit Load
400 kgs / 882 lbs per arm
Max Length Tender 4.27m / 14 ft
Max Weight Tender w/OB 268 kgs / 590 lbs
Screacher/Reacher
125.7 m2 / 1,353 ft2
Engine
Yanmar 4JH57 x SD60
Fuel Capacity
2 x 500 ltrs / 2 x 132 gals
Fresh Water Capacity
2 x 300 ltrs / 2 x 79 gals
Black Water Capacity
2 X 60 ltrs / 2 x 16 gals
Maximum Load Displacement
21,668 kgs / 47,790 lbs
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.
CAPE TO CANET – A Transatlantic Voyage Aboard Balance 580 Swann
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...
Balance 580 Windigo on Passage
Just over ten days ago, the first Balance 580, christened Windigo, embarked on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic. Departing from a blustery Cape Town,...
BALANCE 580 Exclusive Walkthrough – Multihulls World
We are excited to share this new video walkthrough of the Balance 580, filmed in St. Francis, South Africa by the team at Multihulls World....
Balance 580 Hull 3 ‘Swann’ Makes Her Debut
Another Balance 580 hits the water. This one is heading for European Waters. Congratulations to the owners, she is a Beauty. https://youtu.be/pl7UlTY976M Explore Balance 580
...Vote for the Balance 580 – Multihull of the Year Nominee!
We’re thrilled to share that the Balance 580 has been nominated for Multihull of the Year by Multihulls World! This stunning new launch from Balance...
Windigo, Balance 580, Launches!
On January 29, 2025, in St. Francis Bay, South Africa, the very first Balance 580 touched the water. The whole Balance team and the proud...
Brand-new Balance 580, she’s launching this month, January 2025!
Introducing the brand-new Balance 580! With its sleek design and high-performance capabilities, this cutting-edge catamaran is ready to make waves. The mast has been stepped,...
Raising the (Performance) Bar
FEATURED IN SEAHORSE MAGAZINE – Here! Balance Catamarans is a fast-growing brand of comfortable ocean cruising cats, built to a strict ethos, that sail remarkably...
Carbon Cross, Carbon Cross + and Carbon XP
Check out Phoenix’s distinctive look above. Have you seen this on other Balance hulls? Wonder what it’s all about? Every Balance 526, 580 and 750 are hand-laminated and vacuum-bagged...
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