The Balance 526 is a decidedly interesting sailing catamaran. Manufactured in South Africa with particular attention to safety and performance, it immediately conquered the “blue water cats” segment, as the number of units sold indisputably proves.
These reasons alone are enough to explain the model’s great success, even if I personally think that in a market segment populated by ugly catamarans that look more like cubes than sailboats, the indisputable beauty of the “blue water cats”is not enough. Balance 526 played a decisive role. With lines that manage to be both sporty and elegant, this catamaran captivates at first glance.
A combination of qualities we couldn’t ignore, so much so that, indifferent to the rather difficult weather conditions, we jumped in the car and went for a sea trial.
Balance 526: sea trial
It’s a very special day in Cannes today. The sky is black, and thunderstorms pass repeatedly over the Port Canto sky, pouring torrential rain, with gusts of wind that bend the boats at anchor.
The Balance 526 is waiting for us at anchor just outside the harbour, although in these conditions it already seems hard to believe that we’ll be able to get aboard. Then, thankfully, the big storm passes and we quickly jump aboard the dinghy and manage to reach the boat before the next storm arrives.
Entering the main deck of the Balance 526 is reassuring: even in these conditions, everything is dry and secure. The large hardtop protects the entire exterior perfectly, and access to the pilot station is enclosed; if it weren’t for the gusts of wind, not a drop of water would get in here.
We wait for the umpteenth storm to pass, then weigh anchor and set off. The Balance 526’s helm station is simply perfect; from here, you can actually hoist, release and lower the sails without ever having to leave the steering wheel, which, in a market where all the yards abuse the term “easy sailing”, is of particular value, as this catamaran really can be manoeuvred alone.
From the helm, everything is within easy reach, and – and this is the stroke of genius – from the feet. All halyards and sheets reach the stoppers in an orderly fashion, and from there to the three electric winches controlled by six foot switches. They then descend into the three separate compartments below, where they fall under the effect of gravity. It’s an ingenious system, which makes it possible to really manage the boat single-handed, since autopilot control is also at your fingertips.
We hoist the mainsail directly with a hand of third reef; there’s 15/16 knots of true wind and, in normal conditions, we could easily keep the whole mainsail open, but the sky’s still dark and it’s not prudent to take unnecessary risks. We trim the self-tacking jib while the Balance 526 is already starting to accelerate; speed increases rapidly and, in no time at all, we’re already sailing between 10 and 11 knots, at 60 degrees to the apparent wind, and on board comfort is absolute.
At the helm, this catamaran is lively and responsive, a far cry from the muted feel of pure cruising catamarans. Here, the pressure of the wind on the sails can be felt at the helm, and it’s really easy, as well as rewarding, to steer while maintaining the windward angle.
The daggerboards are down to 50%, so I try to go upwind and, surprise, the Balance 526 slows down very little; at 30 degrees to the apparent wind, we’re still making over 9 knots, this catamaran goes upwind like a monohull!
With the self-tacking jib, changing tack is child’s play; the Balance 526 slows down a little, but if you make up your mind, you’ll find yourself on the new tack with no problem at all.
I choose to return just as the sky darkens and the wind increases to 24/25 knots. We’re at 100 degrees to the apparent wind and the boat is speeding along, constantly sailing above 12 knots.
What I like most about this sailing catamaran is the sense of security it conveys; even in these conditions, it doesn’t stall, doesn’t pull to windward, and sails with impressive stability and consistency. This is clearly a machine designed to cover many, if not countless, miles every day.
It’s starting to rain really hard, so we close the sliding cockpit roof, tilt the helm down and continue sailing in extraordinary comfort.
This maneuver is made possible by VersaHelm, the system invented by Balance Catamarans that enables “the helm to be moved downwards, for steering sheltered from the elements or in cold weather. The 360° visibility when steering from below is perfect, making this not only a comfortable option, but also a very safe one.
Then we get the crazy idea of entering the channel between the mainland and Santa Margherita Island to sail towards Golfe-Juan, where, once we arrive, we should be safe. In the channel, conditions deteriorate; the wind increases to 25/26 knots real (30/31 knots apparent) and, without the cover of the islands, the sea comes at us too, with waves of 2 meters or more.
So we take in a second reef in the mainsail and, in the worst possible conditions for a sailing catamaran, set out to tack close-hauled against wind and sea, in a channel which, at its narrowest point, is no more than half a mile wide!
To my great surprise, however, the Balance 526 copes with this extreme condition with great ease, without the slightest hesitation. We’re constantly sailing between 8 and 9 knots at 30/35 degrees to the apparent wind, riding these big waves and steering dry from the inside, it’s incredible. What surprises me most is that this catamaran, even when sailing close-hauled, never hits the waves!
As we approach Golfe-Juan, the wind and sea gradually diminish, and once we reach our destination, we can drop anchor. We’ll take advantage of this break to explore the Balance 526 and grab a bite to eat. There are seven of us on board, but given the size of the boat, we can all settle in with ease. The monohulls around us are visibly rolling along, while we’re warm and dry, standing still and enjoying incredible comfort.
While we’re having lunch, the sky clears, the rain stops and the wind eases. So we reopen the outside steering station, readjust the helm and are ready to go again.
The conditions we’re encountering now are those of fine Mediterranean weather, with a light breeze and little sea movement. So we hoist all the mainsail, unfurl the self-tacking jib and, immediately and magically, the Balance 526 starts up again. There’s 6/7 knots of true wind and we’re constantly sailing above 5 knots, peaking at 6 knots when we’re 30 degrees off the apparent wind. The Balance 526 feels every little gust and turns it into speed; steering with such a responsive helm is a real pleasure.
The wind picks up slightly and stabilizes at between 9 and 10 knots true; the catamaran accelerates and immediately exceeds 7 knots. The sky is serene again, and I smile as I enjoy these precious moments of navigation aboard this boat which, quite simply, is extraordinary.
Conclusions
The Balance 526 is an extraordinary catamaran. Masterfully built by highly experienced South African craftsmen, she manages to surprise not only with her performance, but also, and above all, with her extreme ease of handling and the sense of security and peace she is able to convey, even when conditions are difficult, as they are today.
This sailing catamaran is designed for long, comfortable sailing, and is extremely efficient in both light and strong winds, upwind and downwind. Capable of very high average daily distances, it’s the ideal boat for those who want to go on long cruises around the world, or for those who want to sail the Mediterranean without ever turning on the engine.
Balance Catamarans prices its boats in the upper mid-range of the market, while offering, in my opinion, the best value in its class. However, an analysis of the evaluations of this shipyard’s pre-owned models shows that depreciation is really minimal. So, given their ability to retain their value over time, buying a Balance will never be a risky investment – quite the contrary.
The Balance 526 has many qualities, just as there are many rational reasons to make a considered purchase. However, personally, I still think these catamarans are the most beautiful on the market, and it’s really very easy to fall in love with them…
The Balance 526 in detail
Constructed from epoxy resin with carbon reinforcements, the Balance 526 is truly well made. And it couldn’t be any other way, given the simply star-studded team leading the design and construction of the Balance 526. Phil Berman (founder, co-designer and CEO of the shipyard), Anton du Toit (naval engineer and designer) and Jonathan Paarman (South African builder of excellence) are names that certainly need no introduction in the world of sailing catamarans.
On board, everything you touch feels solid and consistent. Great attention is also paid to the furniture and finishing touches; the hand of Balance’s experienced craftsmen is clearly felt everywhere, even in the most hidden compartments. The Balance 526 is also highly customizable, with a wide choice of configurations, essences and fabrics.
Inside, despite a performance-oriented design, space abounds everywhere. The main deck is welcoming and designed for long stays on board, both externally and internally, where the level of finish is even higher, and storage capacity, both in terms of galley units and refrigerated volumes, is at its maximum.
3-cabin version
3-cabin version + vanity
3-cabin version, storage volume
4-cabin version
4-cabin version + Vanity
4-cabin version, storage volume
5-cabin version
Exterior Landscaping
Main deck, storage space
The Balance 526 is available in the version we tried out today, the three-cabin version (my personal favorite), as well as in 4- and 5-cabin versions, ideal for larger families or for those wishing to devote the boat to yacht charter activities, which, in the case of Balance, can only be of the highest standard.
In our case, the layout in the two hulls is efficient and traditional. One hull is entirely dedicated to the owner, who has a large cabin and a simply enormous bathroom, equipped with a separate double shower. The extreme bow of this cabin can be converted into an office, laboratory or dressing room.
The hull on the left, meanwhile, is dedicated to guests and accommodates two cabins, both with private bathrooms. In this case, the forward cabin has the same wide bed as the owner’s cabin, while the aft cabin is laid out in the traditional way.
Beyond the description, it’s definitely worth relying on this video to fully understand the superb level of finish and the vast amount of space available.
Balance 526 – Technical Specifications
Overall length
16 m
Length at waterline
15,64 m
Bau Maxi
8,26 m
Draught drifts recorded
1,12 m
Draft with daggerboards lowered
2,16 m
Draft fixed daggerboard version
1,37 m
Height of mast above water level
23,93 m
Empty displacement
12.500 kg
Maximum displacement
15.625 kg
Maximum dinghy length
4 m
Maximum crane load
400 kg
Maximum tender weight
255 kg
Motors
2 x 57 hp Yanmar
Fuel capacity
2 x 500 l
Fresh water capacity
2 x 390 l
Black water capacity
2 x 60 l
Mainsail
106 m2
Self-steering jib
43 m2
Reacher
88 m2
Asymmetric spinnaker
240 m2
