Boatyard: Balance Catamarans Cape Town
Rig package: Mast, boom, standing and running rigging
Furling system: Profurl jib and Facnor screecher furlers (Manual)
Components package: Crossbeam and double longeron, with integrated anchor launch system, boarding ladders, steering idlers and quadrants, stantions and pulpits (anodised black), TV brackets and other components
Description:
The first Balance 442, Umoya, was launched by Balance Catamarans Cape Town in February 2022. S
The Balance 442 has a powerful 75- square meter main sail, meaning she can sail easily even in light airs, while other catamarans are motoring. Many Balance 442 buyers plan to cruise the world, so she is designed to be sailed easily single- or double-handed. Contributing to this are the self-tacking blade jib, helm reefing station, and innovative VersaHelm® design, an important feature on all Balance Catamarans – a breakthrough that has been widely copied in the industry. The permanent up- and- down helm stations and VersaHelm make helming the boat in both fair and inclement weather easy while never losing four-corner visibility at any time.
When the wind gets strong, it is easy for a couple to furl in her headsails and reef her down and keep on sailing. All the Balance 442’s reefing and sail management takes place at the upper helm station. Furling headsails, electric winches and a mainsheet system that operates without a traveller mean that she is easily sailed by sailors lacking racing experience.
The Balance 442 can be ordered either with dual daggerboards or high-performance fixed keels. The fully retractable dual daggerboards draw less than 3’ 6” inches of water so shallow waters present no impediment to the Balance 442. Upwind performance is dramatically improved with the boards in the down position, while off-wind performance is enhanced with the boards raised. In dangerous cross seas, with the daggerboards up, the Balance 442 will side-slip to avoid the tripping effect associated with large fin-keeled catamarans. Most of the owners of the vessels on order have opted to go with the daggerboard option.
With her owner version configuration, the Balance 442 easily accommodates up to six people for a long voyage. The innovative salon table converts into a queen-sized bed so you can always host another couple.
She has great flow and openness between the main salon and the cockpit, and her permanent up and down helm stations and versa helm give flexibility to the helmsman.
The Balance 442 Sailing Catamaran is designed by Du Toit Yacht Design. Her sails are by Ullman Sails South Africa.
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