Balance Catamarans
Following the production of the 421 and 451 in China in 2014, Balance Catamarans was relaunched by Phillip Berman, Jonathan Paarman, Anton Du Toit and Roger Hill.
Their mission? To build the ultimate blue-water cruising catamarans: fast, safe and comfortable yachts that can be sailed shorthanded, that are simple to maintain, can carry a decent payload and that are comfortable to sail and live aboard.
Phil Berman traces the roots or at least the idea for the company back to 1979 when the Hobiecat World Championships were held in South Africa.
The Hobiecats for the races were built in South Africa which lead to start of what is now a booming ecosystem in the country: catamaran manufacturing. The Hobiecats were sold to local sailors after the championships and this fueled a growing community of catamaran enthusiasts in South Africa.
Phil was heavily involved with Dolphin catamarans and was the main distributor for that brand for many years.
You can see some of the influence that this partnership with Philipe Pouvreau and the Pimenta family from Brazil had on the development of Balance.
Paarman Connection
The range of Balance Catamarans is built by the Paarman brothers at Nexus Yachts in Cape St Francis on the East Coast of South Africa.
Starting off with the Balance 526 (2915) the company created the Balance 760 (2017) the 482 and the 442. A 620, a 680 and a 762 made up the rest of the earlier line-up.
New Range
The range offered currently (with hybrid power options) is as follows:
464, 502, 540, 580 and 750.
The whole line-up was refreshed to incorporate hybrid power options. Rather than retrofit, they started from scratch to optimse the weight distribution in the new boats.
The team behind the design is one of South Africa’s most successful yacht designers: Anton du Toit.
Previously, the company built the Balance 421 (this was originally an Australian boat called the Montebello 12.5 built on the Gold Coast – they bought the molds from Montebello and shipped them to the new factory) and the 451 (2014) which was built with partners in China.
Later came the 601 which was built in South Africa.
Balance 451 (2014)
Designed by New Zealander Roger Hill, the 451 set the early DNA for the Balance brand. Slim hulls and wave piercing bows with hulls and deck foam cored, plus cored bulkheads, floors, bimini, and cabinetry.
The 451 was built with Chinese builder Lee Xiangong. These are nippy boats and great value for money. The bridedeck and headroom are lower compared to the newer range.
Balance 601 (2013)
The last 601 was manufactured by Balance in 2019. This model was replaced by the newer 620 which more closely followed the 526 design.
A true blue water boat. Very robust, she sails well up and downwind and is fast (8-12kts in average conditions and capable of 20+), with high bridge deck clearance, a big load capacity and plenty of fuel and water range.
Balance 526 (2015)
The design that supercharged the Balance brand, the 526 is a very successful model. Read our full Balance 526 review here.
This model will be replaced by the 540.
Available with either daggerboards or fixed keels.
You can also read our Balance 526 Owner’s Review with Little Bird (526-12)
Balance 482
With wave piercing bows, foam core hulls, decks and furniture, and carbon reinforced, the 482 offers great performance and head turning design.
This design has been replaced by the 502, now available with hybrid power options.
The 482 was available with either dagger-boards or high performance fixed keels, just like her longer sister, the 526.
Balance 442
The “baby” of the range that evolved from the successful 526, the 442 was replaced by the 464.
She was designed to operate short-handed or even single handed, with a self tacking blade jib, reefing station, and the famous Versa-helm design that you will see on the bigger boats. She comes with dual daggerboards.
They are no longer taking orders in this size.
Balance 620
The next step up from the 526 was the 620: the replacement for the older 601 design.
They have stopped offering this size. Choose from the 580 or 750.
Sleeker and higher off the water than the older design. The 620 has a powerful sail-plan and will sail along at wind-speed when the wind speed is 7 knots or higher.
Balance 760F
The 760F is a high performance luxury cat for those sailors who want a flybridge. She moves! No longer in production.
Balance 464
With a 2026 launch, the 464 is offered as Carbon Core & 464 VersaDrive Carbon Core.
An ideal performance cruiser with Hybrid Drive option for island hoppers yet capable of trans-oceanic adventure travel.
Balance 502 (2025)
With hull #1 Tiger Lilly, Balance launched their replacement for the 484 with hybrid power options.
Balance 540
The replacement for the iconic 526
Balance 580 (2025)
New yachts on the water include “Windigo” and “Swann”. For owners who want to step up from the 526 and 540.
Balance 780 (2025)
A new beautiful flagship with twin VersaHelms.
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