Balance Catamarans presents the new Balance 464 CC and Balance 502 CC, also available in hybrid version.
The participation of Balance Catamarans at the Annapolis Sailboat Show was excellent. In fact, two new models were presented at the most important boat show in the United States where, among other things, the South African shipyard underlined its leadership in the “high performance catamaran” segment by exhibiting three of its fantastic sailing catamarans.
A leadership that materializes not only in the proverbial quality of construction and performance that have made this shipyard famous but also and above all in the continuous will to innovate that Philip Bermanpresident of Balance Catamarans and Anton du Toit, designer and naval architect, are already used to. But let’s go in order and discover together what all the new features introduced by these new Balance 464 CC and 502 CC consist of.
464 CC and 502 CC: many innovations
The design of the new catamarans took more than a year and made it possible to accommodate an innovative diesel electric system, to obtain a larger battery capacity and to house a large number of solar panels. The performance to which Balance Catamaran has become accustomed is guaranteed by a larger sail plan and a construction that uses a central carbon structure.
The whole project required more than a year of studies and also allowed us to better optimize the weight distribution.
VersaDrive Hybrid system
The new Balance 464 CC and 502 CC were created and designed specifically to house a state-of-the-art diesel electric system, it’s called Integrel E-Drive and it really promises a lot. Based on a pair of 45 hp Yanmar engines, it can develop up to 40 hp for sailing in electric mode or generate electricity with an output of 30 kW. The hybrid versions will be called VersaDrive Hybrid 502 CC and VersaDrive Hybrid 464 CC although, of course, traditionally powered versions will also be available.
The carbon heart of the new Balance 464 CC and Balance 502 CC
The core structure of the new Balance 464 CC and Balance 502 CC is made of 100% carbon fiber.
In fact, looking at the picture we will notice that all the transoms, bulkheads, plates, cockpit slabs, as well as the daggerboards and their related boxes and, of course, the rudders, are made entirely of carbon. This new construction method allows us to create very rigid and strong catamarans with great weight savings. Qualities that make these boats very safe and tremendously fast.
Increased sail plan
The sail plan of the Balance 464 CC and 502 CC has been revised, the transom and mast have been moved forward for the benefit of the J-size which now allows, without losing the characteristic self-tacking jib, to offer a larger area. headsail area.
The mast has also been increased and consequently also the mainsail area. This results in fast catamarans, capable of sailing quickly, even when the wind is light.
Welcome to VersaStern
The old problem of open sterns on catamarans has been solved.
From today it will no longer be necessary to use artificial systems such as “washboards” to prevent waves from entering the cockpit or children from falling into the sea. VersaStern is a system as simple as it is ingenious, it is a movable hatch that is normally hidden in a recess and, if necessary, opens like a compass and closes the stern. Likewise, when we need to moor, access the engines, or more simply when we are at anchor and want to swim, all we have to do is recline it and the stern opens again.
Doors, windshields and portholes of the new Balance 464 CC and 502 CC
The relationship to light and air on the new catamarans has definitely improved and now gives a sense of grandeur that pushes the boundaries of the boat far beyond its physical limits.
The hatch and aft windows have been enlarged and now create a unique atmosphere between outside and inside which, very cleverly, also creates better ventilation of the rooms.
The elimination of the center windshield pillar has greatly improved forward visibility from the interior.
This solution also allowed the adoption of larger longitudinal portholes that, when the catamaran is at anchor, allow natural ventilation of the interior.
The ventilation of the forward cabins has also been improved, thanks to the adoption of custom-made portholes it is now not only possible to let in a greater flow of air when we are at anchor, but also to leave these portholes open when it rains.
All in all, these new Balance 464 CC and 502 CC have really intrigued me, I can’t wait to see them live, can you?
BALANCECATAMARANS.COM
Technical data
Balance 464 CC | Balance 502 CC | |
Overall length | 14,19 m | 15,25 m |
Length of buoyancy | 14,19 m | 15,25 m |
Max Sleeve | 7,6 m | 7,9 m |
Min. draft | 1,14 m | 1,16 m |
Max draft | 2,27 m | 2,27 m |
Mainsail | 79.76 sqm | 95.63 sqm |
Self-tacking jib | 37.69 mq | 39.31 sqm |
Total bow triangle | 123.7 sq m | 143.5 sqm |
Gennaker | 173.23 sqm | 217.9 sqm |
Reacher | 89.55 sqm | 97.46 sqm |
Minimum empty weight | 11,500 kg | 12,800 kg |
Maximum empty weight | 12,500 kg | 14,000 kg |
Fuel | 2 x 400 lt | 2 x 400 lt |
Water | 2 x 350 lt | 2 x 390 lt |
Black water | 2 x 42 lt | 2 x 61 lt |
Designers | Philip Berman & Du Toit Yacht Design |
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