Balance 502

Long-distance, Blue Water Performance

Test-sailed out of Key Biscayne right after the Miami International Boat Show, the new Balance 502 had to make do with what the legendary turquoise bay can sometimes offer that’s less than exciting for sailors: a glassy surface and very timid gusts. We did, however, enjoy bright sunshine… But these conditions were obviously frustrating for assessing the full potential of a performance catamaran. But we were able to see the 502’s ability to stay lively under sail when other multihulls are already beginning to fire up their motors.

Under Code 0, our fully loaded Balance 502 managed to sail almost at wind speed.

Bridgedeck clearance is generous, ranging precisely from 932 mm to 827 mm (3’1” to 2’9”).

The 502 is equipped with wide sugarscoops.

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Practical info

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Test location Key Biscayne, Florida, USA
Conditions 8 to 10 knots of wind, calm sea

At Balance, they don’t just promise a fast catamaran. For several years, the South African brand has been championing a very specific vision of the cruising multihull: boats designed to cover long distances, capable of taking you on a proper cruising adventure -all while maintaining a power-to-weight ratio and helming feel well above average. With the 502, the successor to the 482, the shipyard has further refined its formula in a particularly competitive market sector: that of premium, performance-oriented 50-footers.
We made plans to test the beast at “No Name Marina”, Key Biscayne, where we were greeted by Phoebe, the young captain in charge of Tiger Lily, the first 502 built for the Outer Passage collective (see inset), who took us out by dinghy to the catamaran moored just a short distance away. On board, we joined a few qualified prospects, an American journalist colleague, and Phil Berman, founder, owner, and designer (along with Anton du Toit) of Balance Catamarans.