State of Balance Catamarans 2021

[@johanmarais9950]

What a fantastic story: Phil Berman is rather modest about his SA Hobie experience as he became the world champion in that competition. Jonathan Paarman was the greatest surfer in the world (my opinion) in his day and grew to these positive extremes. 2 Oceans have been building sailing vessels (amongst other) like Liberty that one cannot find anywhere else. And now the 482/442 range. I don't know any of these guys personally which hopefully shows my objectivity - what a great team. PS: I've had to constrain myself from using some kind of "f" word to express myself more... Love you guys

[@balancecatamarans]

Awesome, Johan. Thank you so much!

[@johanmarais9950]

@@balancecatamarans And then I also forgot to mention Anton du Toit - DT Yacht Design...

[@barrybarnes96]

Love how the "fully tabbed bulkheads" gets a timely mention.

[@bradlacey9370]

Lottery tickets tomorrow…who knows?! 😆 probably the only way I will be able to swing it. I will say, Phil took the time to take us through the boat they brought to Annapolis in 2019b.c.(before COVID). He could probably tell we couldn’t afford such a beautiful boat. But still gave us the total tour with no less passion or detail than the deep pocketed retirees swarming the place. Maybe it is because I work for New Balance footwear. But someday would love to make this my new Balance!!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Congrats on the success of Balance Catamarans and the very large order book. It's apparent that many people appreciate the fine quality, performance and design of these boats. I find their styling artful and beautiful. They are sleek, clean and modern, but also highly humane.

[@jacksbackable]

Great to see you again Phil, you certainly have a unique product, you are certainly innovative. It’s great to see the passion you have for building these cats! Thanks for sharing and being so transparent! 👏😎🏖🌴☀️🇦🇺

[@ballievogel5385]

Just love the wrap of the sunny

[@Infinityrob8]

Balance is best in its category,great builds🙌🏼

[@balancecatamarans]

Thank you! :)

[@nedwphillips2126]

I don't know how or when... but I know I (my family and friends) will be in the Balance family one day!! And after now 12 months of looking and yes drooling, was hoping to get to that boat show, however here in Oz we are having lock downs after lock down Etc, so I have to be/am happy with the Videos, Cheers and such.

[@balancecatamarans]

Thanks so much, Ned! We look forward to building your Balance for you one day!

[@jamesbennett5421]

Beautiful boats, thanks for the update!

[@balancecatamarans]

Thanks, James!

[@yumibeauty1404]

Hi, guys. You are really Great!

[@lifesailinc-lsi1120]

light and strong +

[@nicolasmonastirsky]

I hope sooner than later I’ll giving you the call, I love the 482.

[@balancecatamarans]

We hope so too, Nicholas!

[@mikeferguson2828]

Stunning boats 👍

[@ttsimpson28]

Any chance for a shaft drive option down the road?

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

Never say never, but it would seem unlikely as it would probably need new hull design/molds, etc. What's the big downside of sail drives? Aren't they workable?

[@ĶČXXĻ-ĀxÐ]

@@LoanwordEggcorn They absolutely are workable. There are a ton of boats out there with sail drives. Crossing Oceans, cruising, and circumnavigating. Sail drives are cheaper and easier for a factory to install. Plus they allow the builder to utilize them in a way to maximize interior volume. With that said. There are some negative things to consider with sail drives also. The way the sail drives are installed. Creates a big hole in the boat. Sail drives are not usually protected by a skeg. So if you strike something substantial underwater. It can push the drive back into the boat. Opening that large installation hole. They also present different problems to overcome if they need service. There is so much I could say. But this response is already quite long. As with anything on a boat. There are trade offs you will have to make. I would suggest researching traditional engines with a shaft and propeller. As well as sail drives before deciding on what you want. They both work as intended and people make passages with both everyday.

[@ttsimpson28]

@@ĶČXXĻ-ĀxÐ Very well put. New saildrives are much better than older ones. As they age you will always have to monitor the seals & replace them eventually & as you said, service = haul out which on a big cat can be problematic depending on location. I was never a huge Privilege fan but really love how they are doing shaft-drives on the new 510s. For me it's just one less think to worry about that while might be a low probability it's a HIGH severity event.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

@@ĶČXXĻ-ĀxÐ Thanks for your intelligent and informed comments. All design decisions on anything engineering are tradeoffs. There is usually no one single perfect solution to any real world problem for every possible situation. Agree about the lack of skeg protection for sail drives. (I suppose one could add a skeg to protect a sail drive, but that would add some drag, etc.) Traditional prop shafts require different engine room layouts. Usually the engine needs to be further forward to have a shallow enough angle for the shaft. A sail drive may be lighter and simpler to install. It's certainly more compact. Etc. Their seal arrangements are different. A sail drive feels kind of exposed to damage to me, BUT, it's a much more modern, highly-engineered solution that may be easier to integrate into a boat, being more compact, needing a single main hole, etc. With the sail drive, the engine can be nearly on top of the drive, making for less overall boat space used for propulsion. It's more compact. A traditional prop may require more maintenance, but be simpler to maintain in some aspects. All tradeoffs. As you note, both types are successfully cruising the globe right now.

[@ttsimpson28]

@@LoanwordEggcorn I think Phill did mention in another video that they can add a "mini" keel type situation to the bottom that helps protect the drives which would be a must IMHO. While sail drives are "modern" they are much more complex and not necessarily better than shaft aside from having the prop wash bing directly back and not at a slight down angle.

[@tancolvis5240]

TOP mast lighting green n red can be a build into the mast??

[@tancolvis5240]

Can the steering wheel be smaller as the front there devices n need to be operated ....

[@supervan5597]

Love your boats! Quick question, are you planning on implementing hydrofoil wings in the future? Aquila came up with some awesome foiling wings for their power catamarans, but I guess sail boats are different.

[@tancolvis5240]

Can hide all sail lines and can be seen (transparent) casing build like a drainage yet look flat n can see for damage of lines or ropes n the end of ropes can be winded up not a spegetti box .

[@circumnavigation9386]

What about the fire at Nexus Phil? Wil it have an impact on the schedule?

[@paulspokes9345]

when was the fire?

[@balancecatamarans]

The fire at Nexus is causing a delay in the completion of two of our 526, but fortunately the primary factory, tools, and all equipment along with the other boats much further along are all just fine. The new factory we had planned is going up now along with repairs to the shed damaged by the fire. We got lucky, I have to say. Phil

[@cbryan9474]

@@paulspokes9345 July

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

@@balancecatamarans Glad things are relatively ok.

[@circumnavigation9386]

@@balancecatamarans that is good news. Thx.

[@charlyduchiron3359]

👍👍👍 toujours aussi beau 👍

[@tancolvis5240]

Why are scoop area mostly square not spoon type shape ...

[@MrWmcintyre]

Can't wait to see the Balance 580 in carbon fiber.

[@balancecatamarans]

Nor can we :)

[@tancolvis5240]

Balance design need more innovative n better shaped then so not up to current times n technology in shape ... it can be better

[@MrAlubenco]

Nothing from South Africa.

[@ĶČXXĻ-ĀxÐ]

That’s a shame. There are many world class catamarans that have a South African pedigree. As well as some great airplanes. As a consumer you can spend your money anywhere you choose. I respect your choice. It does eliminate some very good options. What location and boat are you considering? I really like the versa helm. So I really like Sirius for a monohull. It is more difficult deciding on a cat. Have a great day.

[@barrybarnes96]

Why ever not? They make great boats. Do you have some ill considered political reason?

[@MrAlubenco]

@@ĶČXXĻ-ĀxÐ until you have mentioned options I've just discounted. I've not heard of blue water cruisers produced from that region.

[@MrAlubenco]

@@barrybarnes96 until now have I've never seen blue water cruisers produced from that region, no ulterior reasoning.