Balance Catamarans

Balance Catamarans is a very young shipyard, founded in 2013 by Phil Berman, an American who has always been attracted to sailing, particularly multihulls. In 1979, he was crowned Hobie 14 world champion in South Africa, where he fell in love with the country, its landscapes, and its people. After becoming a professional sailor, he founded The Multihull Company (a 100% multihull brokerage firm) in 2001 and wrote several specialist books. At a time when some might already be considering retirement, Phil wanted to set up a multihull shipyard. An inconclusive initial experience in China prompted him to return to South Africa, where, following a partnership with the builder Nexus Yachts, Balance Catamarans was created in 2013. A second agreement was later signed with Two Oceans Marine in Cape Town.
From the outset, Balance Catamarans has sought to redefine performance, comfort, and innovation. The yard quickly set about steering the industry toward new technological challenges while imposing a unique design, created by Anton du Toit. This renowned naval architect joined Balance’s dream team very early on. In just over 10 years, the brand has managed to launch elegant catamarans now powered by cutting-edge hybrid propulsion systems, all while creating a passionate community of sailors - from seasoned veterans to inspired newbies. Balance doesn’t just build multihulls - they create homes on the water, designed for adventure and the pure pleasure of sailing, yet without ever losing sight of safety.

The Cape Town Showcase Factory

Nestled on the industrial edge of the Port of Cape Town, the 97,000-square-foot (9,000 m²) Two Oceans Marine factory that builds the Balance is presented as a center of excellence - here, innovation and performance converge to redefine and to a certain extent shake up the sometimes-conservative world of yachting under the leadership of the tireless Phil Berman and factory manager Mark Delany. Welcome to the world of Balance Catamarans!
During our exclusive tour of the factory, we discovered how it works: with around 600 craftsmen and engineers on site and up to 15 catamarans in various stages of production, the Balance shipyard is a hive of activity, manufacturing three distinct models: the popular 482 and 442 (soon to be replaced by the 502 and 464) and the Balance 750. This flagship model, which can be customized to suit your desires, is due to splash very soon, and will, of course, be the subject of an article in Multihulls World.
Each catamaran under construction goes through specific stages supervised by dedicated managers like Peter and Shereen, whose names will be familiar to Balance owners. The construction process is as impressive as the finished product. At the heart of the method is undoubtedly the intelligent management of materials. The outer skin is made from a robust composite sandwich that reduces noise while providing excellent protection against external attack (salt, UV rays, etc.), while the interior structure—floors, bulkheads, tanks, woodwork—uses a patented carbon core to maximize strength while minimizing weight.
The layered infusion process, in which skins and cores are bonded in a single, uninterrupted operation, reduces the risk of dry areas and improves the rigidity and durability of the catamarans.
The factory also produces the Two Oceans brand of vessels, and many composite parts are manufactured in the workshops adjacent to the yard.
Some 700 km (435 mi) east of Cape Town, Balance Catamarans has a second site, which we were also able to visit. Here, on the shores of the Indian Ocean, a team of 300 staff are responsible for the production of the 526 and 580, driven by the same dynamic as at the Cape Town headquarters.

A Design Guided by Experience

Balance doesn’t just build catamarans; they make them evolve. The new 502 and 464 models are the result of 14 years of learning and refinement. “We wanted to create the perfect composite catamaran,” Phil Berman sums up succinctly, “That meant making it lighter, sleeker, faster—but also livable, attractive, and durable.”
With these goals in mind, the design team rethought everything from the hull mold to the interior finish. New features include:
• A revised rig with a lower forestay and increased sail area for better performance in light airs.
• A carbon-reinforced saloon floor for added stiffness.
• The “VersaStern” solution that allows the open cockpit to be closed instantly for safety in rough seas or if you have young children or animals on board.
• Frameless, European-style joinery and a redesigned galley for improved ergonomics and aesthetics.
Every choice is guided by actual use and feedback from owners. The helm seat, for example, has been repositioned for greater comfort and access.
The 502 is already in production and is scheduled to debut at the Annapolis Boat Show in October. Construction of the Balance 464 is also set to begin shortly, with the model likely to make its debut at one of the major US boat shows in early 2026.

A Clientele of Owners, Not Charter Companies

As with any new model from Balance Catamarans, the development process is long and highly collaborative. “Our customers don’t realize how much time goes into the design, tooling, tool cleaning, and construction of the first catamarans—it’s a significant commitment, and not just financially”, explains Mark Delany. And speaking more specifically about the shipyard’s customers: “We don’t deal with charter companies, but with owners who are seeking a high-performance multihull, one for sailing close-hauled and for ocean passage-making, but also wanting a permanent residence on board,” explains Phil. “Many of them come from a monohull or “Yacht Club” background, but a growing wave of newcomers, inspired by YouTube sailing channels, are also embarking on the adventure. From the 464 to the 502 and 580, each model meets slightly different needs.
The longer the catamaran, the faster it is and the smoother the ride, but all our multihulls share the same DNA: ergonomic design, optimal livability, and performance.”
Thanks to constant dialogue with experienced owners and a continuous focus on improvement, Balance continues to adapt its range to the demands of today’s sailors: each catamaran is semi-customized, tailored to the tastes and needs of its owner. A digital configurator allows you to preview your choice of woods, fabrics, worktops, and floor coverings. From zebrawood to eco-friendly bamboo, no two interiors are alike. For those who prefer a simpler approach, Balance has teamed up with interior designers to offer six design packages, facilitating harmony and style. Beyond aesthetics, Balance focuses on functionality. Plenty of storage space and well- designed lockers make life on board enjoyable. “There are drawers for your underwear, your tools, your spare parts,” Phil explains. “You can’t live aboard without a lot of storage space.”

Hybrid Propulsion is the Way Forward

Perhaps the most striking revolution is in the propulsion system. In response to growing interest in eco-friendly cruising, Balance has adopted a new VersaDrive hybrid system developed by Integrel Solutions. This system allows the boat to be maneuvered in port using electric motors (which are quiet and clean) and using diesel only when necessary. The system combines load capacity and fuel economy (up to 25%) while offering several modes of operation. “The majority of our new buyers are opting for the hybrid version,” says Delany, “It’s cleaner, quieter, and much more efficient for offshore cruising.”
Balance Catamarans is developing its forward-thinking vision through strategic partnerships to enhance the whole boating experience. The recent collaboration with the Navico Group, which offers tailored solutions such as Integrel for the E-Drive system and Mastervolt for the battery coupled with B&G electronics, is a good example of this. “With the E-Drive, we use most of the old system, and the B&G technology integrates perfectly,” explains the Balance team. “B&G has great value, especially for sailors, thanks to its various on-board software programs.” The result is highly advanced yet intuitive integration, now offered as standard on hybrid models.
This next-generation integration also extends to data visualization: an app currently in development will allow all Integrel system information to be displayed directly on the chartplotter. Balance is planning to unveil this new feature at the Annapolis Boat Show.
While the trend is towards cleaner and greener sailing in the recreational boating sector, Balance is not yet ready to commit to “All-electric.” Hybrid systems therefore retain two small internal combustion engines, providing redundancy that can be useful during long passages or in remote areas. “This is a huge safety factor,” emphasize the technicians at Balance.
Every catamaran coming out of the Cape Town or St. Francis yards bound for Europe, the United States, or the Caribbean pushes the technological envelope a little further, from the intelligent integration of solar panels to redesigned davits to accommodate a wider range of tenders. Nothing is left to chance. In an industry all too often torn between luxury and performance, Balance Catamarans is trying to prove that with the right vision, it may be possible to have both...

Carbon fiber structure of the new Balance 502.

The hulls are built using infusion - the exterior is glass/epoxy to keep the catamaran quieter than if it were made of carbon fiber. However, the rest of the structure is made of carbon.

The carpentry shop at the St Francis factory, managed by Andrew Butler.

The Making Of: setting up equipment for the video interview with Phil Berman and Mark Delany at the Cape Town factory.

Mark Delany, director of the Two Oceans Marine factory in Cape Town.

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is home to several shipyards and the docks are filled with multihulls awaiting delivery. It treated us to a spectacular light show on our first evening in town.

The interior of the 580 offers unparalleled ergonomics and extensive customization options - no two Balance Catamarans are alike.

The saloon of the latest Balance 464 with its comfortable sofa.