A 40-foot catamaran in search of performance
From the Balance Catamarans shipyard, founded in 2013 in South Africa by Philip Berman and Anton du Toit, the Balance 442 reflects the shipyard's initial objective: a cruising yacht, with no concessions on performance. This 13.50-meter-long, 7.6-m-wide multihull boasts a displacement of 11.8 tons and 112 m2 of sail area. Without going into ultra-performance, all the elements for optimal sail trim are on deck. The choice of daggerboards will allow you to sail upwind.
Comfortable outdoor living spaces
As is customary on a catamaran, there are plenty of spaces for outdoor living. The outside cockpit table is modest, but capable of accommodating the crew on board, while the sundeck on the port side and the aft-facing bench seat on the starboard side allow you to vary your viewpoints and positions in the boat while sailing.
A plancha allows you to cook comfortably outdoors.
There's no front cockpit here, just 2 large traditional trampolines to keep the weight down, but you can still lie on them. On the other hand, the forward balcony seats are set far back, making it easier to admire the bow wave than on other models.
3 bar positions
As increasingly common on multihulls, the tilting helm column allows the boat to be steered in 3 positions. The classic raised helm station on starboard, facing the piano, gives good visibility of the sail plan. The wide bench seat allows the helmsman to avoid being alone. An upright position, close to the engine controls, is ideal when standing up for harbor maneuvers, while the position tilted to port, sheltered by the cockpit hatch, is ideal when the weather turns nasty and you want to remain sheltered, with the entire instrument panel available.
Everything for travel
Several details of the Balance 422 show the importance of living aboard for the long term. Rainwater collection gutters have been integrated on the roof. To the detriment of aesthetics, some would say, the panels are raised above the roof for optimal ventilation and performance.
The central deck hatch, forward of the roof, not only provides access to a storage area. The portholes in the forward cabinets open to provide ventilation, like an XXL dorado box.
Lines, already integrated into the roof cap, will be used to mount nets for provisions above the cockpit.
A well-kept interior
Once through the roof's large sliding door, you discover a bright interior, with a generous U-shaped galley to starboard and a saloon to port, as well as a model chart table.
In the owner's hull, the cabin is positioned forward, leaving space aft for an XXL shower, separate from the bathroom.
On the other side, the rear cabin of our Balance 442 features an ingenious option. Simply open a drawer under a meridian to switch from a real office configuration to that of a bed.
Warm and full of tricks, the interior of this Balance 442 definitely makes you want to cast off and discover its performance.
The base price of the Balance 442 is $970,000, ready to sail from Capetown, but may vary according to options.
