bali 45 catamaran review

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• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: August 17, 2015

After three decades of building light, fast, powerful catamarans, Catana now appears insistent on bringing as much intensity to relaxation as it has to performance sailing. At Strictly Sail Miami last winter, the company debuted the 44-foot Bali 4.5, the first of its new line of cruising and charter cats to make it to North America. The lineup also includes two smaller models, the 43-foot Bali 4.3 and the 40-foot Bali 4.0.

Gone were the daggerboards, razor-sharp bows and beefed-up sail plan one is accustomed to seeing from the French yard. In their place I found an American home-style double-door fridge with icemaker, robust load-carrying hulls, and cushions. Lots and lots of cushions — on the benches surrounding the shaded cockpit dining table that seats six; on the settee opposite, under the stairs up to the flybridge; covering the U-shaped lounge area that spans the front of the wide, window-lined cabin house; and piled high with pillows on the sun deck, a solid fiberglass nacelle that replaces the trampoline found between the bows of most cats.

To be concise, the new Bali is a laid-back cruising machine, one easily imagined in some tropical port. It’s in a trade-winds anchorage, after all, that you’d most appreciate the breeze when the large glass center window in the front of the saloon is lowered with the flip of a switch, and when the rear sliding doors to the aft cockpit are opened wide to let the air flow through. “Open Space,” the marketing brochure promises — and that’s what Catana’s Olivier Poncin, naval architect Xavier Faÿ, interior designer Hervé Couëdel and the Catana design team have delivered.

The boat in Miami was configured for charter, with four cabins and four heads. I found the companionways in the two hulls to be a little tight, but once below, the accommodations — double berths, hanging lockers, and private heads and showers — looked quite comfortable. Other configurations include a two-cabin, two-bath layout, and three cabins with either two or three heads.

An owner can also choose from two helm arrangements. The flybridge option, which was on the boat we sailed, puts the wheel above the bimini and amidships, in front of a bench seat big enough for four. You reach it via stairs to either side. In this setup, the boom is located fairly high off the water so there’s enough headroom for a standing crewmember. There’s also a bulkhead helm option. This puts the wheel to starboard in front of a seat for two that can be accessed from either the cockpit or the side deck. With this option, the boom sits lower, which helps reduce the center of effort.

Electrical power to keep the guests happy should not be a problem on the Bali. In addition to a Cummins Onan genset and high-capacity alternator affixed to one of the two 50-horsepower Kubota diesel engines, four 80-watt solar panels are mounted on the bimini. Victron digital switching is used to control the electrical system.

The Balis are built in the Catana yard by the same craftsmen who construct their sportier cousins, and the fit and finish reflect that. The fiberglass hulls, deck and bimini are foam-cored and vinylester-infused. Underway, not a squeak was to be heard.

Motoring, our cruising speed was just over 6 knots; we gained a couple more knots with the throttles open wide and the engines turning at 3,200 rpm. Under sail, the visibility forward from the flybridge was excellent. In about 15 knots of wind, we trucked right along closehauled at a little better than 6 knots. Sailing a broader angle, the speedo dipped under 5. If it were my boat, I’d definitely put the sprit to good use with a furlable downwind sail, and I’d investigate the optional square-topped main, too.

They say money can’t buy happiness, but for $650,000, the Bali 4.5 certainly comes with its fair share of comforts, and those, I’d be willing to bet, would leave you with a grin on your face as the miles ticked away.

To contact Bali Catamarans in the U.S., call 804-815-5054; bali-catamarans.com.

Mark Pillsbury is CW ‘s editor.

• More: 2011+ , 41 - 50 ft , bali catamarans , Coastal Cruising , multihull , new boat showcase 2016 , sailboat review , Sailboats
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Specifications

Bali 4.5 - bareboat incl. with skipper catamarans.

The ideal charter boat for family and friends sailing together. The modern Bali design brings saloon space outdoors with seamless flow to the cockpit, has more deck space and spacious lounges.

The Bali 4.5 Open Space combines Catana's experience in performance with their understanding of a holiday crew's accommodation needs. The designers have listened to their market and identified all the features that make for a great charter, whether you plan to holiday full bareboat or with the support of a crew.

The living spaces on this catamaran are rightly described as vast, with appointments of the highest standard as sailors have come to expect from Catana. 

The Bali 4.5's rig is  configured with smooth sailing in mind. The mast is placed well to the aft to reduce pitching, while a smaller main and self-tacking headsails make for easy sail handling.

Date Added: May 9th, 2018   Last Updated: Oct 11th, 2023

Charter Locations

• Regions: Caribbean , Mediterranean , South Pacific/Oceania , Americas , South-East Asia
• Destinations: Antigua & Barbuda , Bahamas , British Virgin Islands , Cancun & the Maya Riviera, Mexico , Croatia , Florida Keys , French Polynesia: The Society Islands , Guadaloupe , Italy , La Paz, Mexico , Langkawi , Martinique, St Lucia, & The Grenadines , New Caledonia , Phuket & Andaman Sea

• Guests: 8 to 10
• Cabins: 4 double, two bow singles
• Berths: 8 to 10
• Length: 13.6m, 45'
• Beam: 7.4m, 24'
• Draft: 1.2m, 4'
• Engine(s): 2 x 50 hp
• Fuel Capacity: 830l, 219g
• Water Capacity: 820l, 217g

Equipment Includes: Bimini/spray hood, electric windlass, hot & cold water, transom shower, 12 volt electrics, dinghy and outboard, bed linen, VHF, CD/FM radio, wind, depth and speed instruments, GPS and chart plotter. Additional equipment may vary. Ask us for equipment available on the boat in your preferred destination.

Yacht Layout

Specifications and accommodation layouts may vary. Ask us for the details of this boat in your preferred destination. Many boats have additional saloon berths not indicated above.

Rating: 4 / 5 The boat was very good, in good condition, very clean and tidy and well equiped. Only one small problem, we had a lot of rain and the only table that would seat 8 was outside so having dinner inside meant that someone had to stand. Difficult to pick one place above the rest. We were a little disappointed at the Isle of Pines that the locals have the place sown up. But we enjoyed the whole trip. Navigation was not as difficult as i was led to believe. The water maker on the boat made a huge difference and because there were eight of us we had a party every night. Lionel, New Zealand, Aug 17th, 2019

Rating: 5 / 5 The southern lagoon of New Caledonia is absolutely beautiful. We didn't get to the Isle of Pines but the overnight anchorages in the lagoon made up for it. We also spent a couple of days in the Bay of Prony in some very pretty anchorages. The wind was constant from the SE which provided champagne sailing for us. We only caught one decent sized fish but we let it go. Bruce, Australia, Nov 22nd, 2018

Rating: 5 / 5 "The water in Bora Bora was amazing. We found the Bali 4.5 to be an excellent boat for cruising the lagoons around Bora Bora, Taha'a and Raiatea." Glenn, Australia, Nov 4th, 2018

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Bali vs. Lagoon: Which Catamaran Is Better?

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Look out over any body of water, and you will see people enjoying the great outdoors. From private lakes to the open sea, from sailing for a day to living permanently on a yacht, the water calls us to come and play. This is the easy part, now comes the difficulty of the many decisions that need to be made before you can call yourself captain of a catamaran. So it has come down to two choices Bali or Lagoon, which is better?

A Lagoon catamaran is often a better choice than Bali. Bali cats are sleeker and lean more on innovative materials and design. Lagoon may be bulky, but the brand is one of the most popular and a reason for that is they listen to customer feedback when making design decisions. 

In this article, you will learn more about catamaran brands : Bali and Lagoon. We will also discuss the following:

• Why choose a Bali or Lagoon catamaran and how to choose between them
• Consider the pros and cons associated with each model
• Determine the safety of catamarans in general

Why Choose a Bali or Lagoon Catamaran?

If you are reading this article, you have likely decided it is time to stop dreaming and purchase your yacht. You selected a catamaran as your vessel of choice, either because of its “flat ride” or the incredible amount of living space on board. 

But you may be stuck on the decision of which brand is worth your investment. Should you go for the relatively “New Kid on the Block,” Bali, or the “Tried and True” Lagoon?

Both manufacturers offer safe, sea-worthy vessels, and both brands improve their ship designs frequently. Bali focuses on being innovative in terms of materials and design, whereas Lagoon responds to customer feedback as it works on new vessels. Both have been in the industry long enough to have a solid following and reputation.

Therefore, in the end, it really is a matter of personal preference in terms of desired features, preferred construction, and ultimate appearance as both brands are widely known and have solid reputations for building safe, sea-worthy vessels. The good news is that buyers can feel confident purchasing from either Bali or Lagoon.

Bali Catamarans: A Basic Overview

Bali catamarans are built in France at the Cantana Yard. Olivier Poncin and designer Xavier Fay came up with the new and innovative catamaran design and launched it in 2014. Still dubbed as the “new kid on the block,” Bali is the most unconventional of the two catamaran brands reviewed here, but that is precisely why it should be given serious consideration.

According to the Catamaran Guru , Poncin and Fay’s design changes have been well-received both by the industry and loyal consumers, mainly because no design change impacted performance or seaworthiness, as the catamaran looks so good both at sea and in the marina. Buyers respond well to the sleek design since, typically, catamarans had been bulky.

Building Materials and Foredeck Design

One marked improvement Poncin and Fay brainstormed is that they upgraded the building materials in the Bali catamaran. By doing so, they improved the sailing experience in terms of living space.

One way they accomplished this additional living space was by removing the trampoline and implementing a solid foredeck . Thanks to Bali’s choice of building material for this area, they can create more interior space without adding excessive weight or compromising seaworthiness.

In many ways, this solid foredeck returns to the early days when the Prout family built catamarans in England in the 1950s. Their reasoning for the solid foredeck was that although it increased weight, it provided rigidity, which increases the vessel’s structure. Though they are no longer building catamarans today, Poncin and Fay improved on the Prout family’s idea, making the solid foredeck a newly respected option in the industry.

Many in the catamaran industry question this solid foredeck because they fear the weight that it adds to the ship. However, the Catamaran Guru exposes that this design choice adds buoyancy, and he explains that many brands have been slowly moving in this direction for years.

Still, buyers’ greatest concern is whether a solid foredeck will shed water as effectively as nets do. Nets have been used for so long that accepting this solid foredeck is difficult. However, Bali did not simply change the foredeck. They also changed the catamaran’s drainage system, making the foredeck able to shed water in under 12 seconds. 

Want to understand why catamarans capsize?

Building Materials and the Hull

Bali also sets itself apart because it uses a closed-cell foam for the hull’s core rather than a balsa wood core. This choice makes the boat lighter and faster but does not compromise its sailing comfort or safety. One of the few complaints about catamarans, in general, is that they cannot achieve the upwind speed that monohulls can, but this lighter material increases upwind speed potential, at least marginally.

In the end, however, the catamaran’s ability to provide a smoother ride with little yawing , which occurs when the vessel swings from side to side on its vertical axis or heeling , which is when the boat tips from side to side, appears to silence the speed argument. Most catamaran owners need speed to outrun storms. But other than that, they are typically not racing, so comfort trumps speed for most catamaran cruisers.

Pros of Bali Catamarans

In this section, we’ll analyze the advantages of choosing a Bali catamaran.

One of the primary reasons many purchase a Bali is the sheer beauty of the vessel. The outside is elegant and sleek, which is a design trait Bali is known for. You will undoubtedly make a statement when you dock, but the sleek design is even more stunning on the water. The outward appearance is unquestionably high-end and a high selling point. 

Other features include:

• Five configurations to choose from – with this many, there’s one for every personality, and these configurations work equally well with Charter and Owner use vessels
• Comfort – plenty of living space both inside and outside
• Plenty of storage space – including cabinets
• Direct access from saloon to forward cockpit
• Holds up to 315 gallons (1192.4 liters) of freshwater (17 days of water for one person)
• Holds up to 315 gallons (1192.4 liters) of fuel
• The helm station is on the flybridge for excellent visibility
• Many models have six cabins, each with a private bathroom

Cons of Bali Catamarans

• Many reviewers complain that while the outside of the vessel is high-end, the inside features, such as the stove and refrigerator, look plain, indicating a lower price point.
• The height of the boom suggests that it will be challenging to reach the mainsail if there is a problem.
• Though the helm station (flybridge setup) offers excellent visibility, the tradeoff is that you are too far from the lines when you come into the marina, so you will need a crew to assist you.

What is a flybridge and what are the pros and cons?

Lagoon Catamarans: A Basic Overview

Lagoon Catamarans are also constructed in France and are designed by Marc van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prevost . Many reviewers say this team is highly responsive to customer input, and they continually create better vessels using consumer feedback, which makes buying this brand enticing.

Lagoon has been designing and building sea-worthy vessels since 1984, and while their initial designs were monohulls, their longevity in the market earns confidence with consumers. In 1996, the designers began to focus on comfort based on industry feedback and designed and produced catamarans. Though their first catamaran models were considered “bulky,” they responded to the feedback and created sleeker models to appeal to their base.

Lagoon’s Design Focus

Lagoon’s focus on comfort and design has not caused a decrease in their dedication to the vessel’s safety performance. The designers were considering customer feedback with their new designs. Previously, the Lagoon brand was often described as slow like a floating container and considered behind in terms of style, so they began updating their models and have several elegant designs available these days. 

Resale Value

Another good selling point for Lagoon is that these vessels tend to hold their resale value quite well, probably due to the trusted Lagoon name etched into its design. However, it is worth noting that according to the Catamaran Guru, the three-bedroom models seem to hold value better, but he reiterates that the four-bedroom models resell well too.

Pros of Lagoons

• A wide variety of models and configurations are available
• Plenty of living and lounging space
• Often cost less than other catamarans in the same class
• Lagoon is a mainstay in the boat-building industry
• The fuel capacity of the Lagoon Sixty 5 is 1450 gallons (5488.84 liters)
• Water storage capacity is about 295 gallons (1116.7 liters, 7 days of water for one person)

Cons of Lagoons

• Though the builders are focusing on a sleeker design, Lagoons are still seen as “bulky.” 
• Limited storage space for food – some newer models have two refrigerators, though.
• Many models have only one way to get to the helm.
• Lagoons are known to be slow on the water

General Safety of Catamarans

Regardless of the brand, many new sailers are concerned that catamarans are prone to capsize in strong winds or rough waters. In severe storms, irrespective of the vessel, the sailor needs to be skilled. Therefore, an unskilled sailor may be safer in a monohull only because a catamaran cannot “self-right” as a monohull can. However, due to the catamaran’s design, the wind has to hit the catamaran at rarely seen speeds to have an effect.

A catamaran is also reefed by a wind chart clearly showing when to put in a reef, follow those instructions and you will be safe.

Even though the catamaran cannot “self-right,” modern catamarans are designed with a “positive buoyancy,” which means that if a storm causes the boat to capsize, it will not sink. In this case, people are safer in the catamaran because they can use it for shelter until help arrives.

Still worried about capsizing? read my article on why catamarans capsize and ill think you’ll change your mind!

The good news is that most catamarans can outrun dangerous weather. Well, that’s as long as the crew is paying attention to weather reports; therefore, capsizing will not be an issue you have to worry about when going for a relaxing voyage.

Engine failure is another safety concern for all sea vessels. Fortunately, catamarans have two diesel engines, unlike monohulls, so an engine failure in a catamaran is not catastrophic, and it’s rarely more than an expensive inconvenience. 

Want to better understand the differences between monohulls (classic sailboats) and catamarans ( two hulled sailboats) I recommend that you read this article!

Award-Winning Catamarans

Bali and Lagoon are more than brands with sound reputations and incredible designs. They both also create award-winning yachts. The industry responded so well to Bali’s sleek design that in 2019, the Bali 5.4 won the Multihull World’s 2019 Multihull of the Year Award. 

Likewise, in 2021 the industry responded to Lagoon’s attention to the design change just as favorably. The response was so great, in fact, that in 2021, the Lagoon Sixty 5, Lagoon’s most recent model, was nominated for Multihull World’s Yacht of the Year Award.

Which One Should You Choose?

The choice comes down to a matter of preference. Some consumers are primarily concerned with the yacht’s resale value, hoping to get some money back when they upgrade to a newer model in the future. Others purchase with no thought of selling the ship in the future. The latter group is often more concerned with comfort, design, and efficiency. The former will be most concerned with how the yacht will retain its value.

Here are a couple of things to consider when choosing between Bali and Lagoon:

If Resale Value Is a Primary Concern

If you like to upgrade every few years or only purchase a catamaran for a short-term excursion, such as a one- to five-year temporary home, resale value may be a deciding factor in the brand you choose. If this is the case, be certain to purchase a yacht designed for owner use rather than charter use. Bali and Lagoon offer each type.

And since Lagoon tend to hold value a little better, i would go with them. Gabo of CatamaranFreedom.com

Just like any other motorized vehicle, catamarans lose value through use. If you’re purchasing a used yacht, to begin with, chartering yachts will not have the resale value that privately owned vessels will. However, most multihull units maintain a better resale value than monohulls. This is partly because there are fewer multihulls in the resale market while it is saturated with monohulls. 

Resale value should remain the same between brands that are built for the same use and receive the same care and maintenance.

If Visuals Are a Primary Concern

Most people find that the Bali design offers a better visual design than Lagoon, especially the flybridge design with the magnificent outlook over the water. However, if appeal to a non-sailing audience is important, Bali is definitely the way to go. Lagoon is famous within the sailing community, but most landlubbers appear to think a Bali cat is more attractive.

How To Choose Between a Bali and Lagoon

Charter a cruise aboard a bali and lagoon.

The best way to know for sure which is the better catamaran brand for you is to sail on both a Bali and Lagoon. However, spending an average cost of $8,000 per week seems like an unlikely option for most people.

How much does chartering a catamaran cost?

Talk to Bali and Lagoon Owners

The second-best thing to do is talk to the owners of each catamaran brand. Most owners purchased either a Bali or Lagoon for specific reasons and are usually excited to share their knowledge with prospective buyers. They will be better salespeople than anyone on a yacht yard because they will tell you both the positives and what they wish were different on their yacht.

Participate in Forums

In the absence of knowing someone who owns one of these brands, many forums, such as the Cruisers Forum , are available for you to join and participate in. It is always amazing to learn how little we know about a subject before diving into it, and owning a catamaran is no different. It is impossible to see what you do not yet know about catamarans, so knowing what questions to ask by studying the forums makes you a more confident buyer.

Research Through Blogs, Vlogs, and YouTube

Lastly, the internet is fortunately filled with blogs and vlogs of people who make money sharing their experiences with catamarans.

Reading blogs and watching travel videos are fun ways to feel that you are on the boat yourself. And these writers and videographers enjoy giving a first-hand view of the subtle differences, potential problems, and coveted features that you might not otherwise know to ask about when you go to purchase your vessel. They are also skilled at showing their mistakes so that we do not make the same ones. 

Purchasing the yacht is a commitment. While there are customers loyal to each brand, selecting either the Bali or Lagoon models should be done confidently because both brands have excellent reputations. If you want even more help to guide your decision, read catamaran blogs, watch vlogs, and ask questions on forums. 

• The Moorings: A Beginners Guide to Catamarans
• Catamaran Guru: The Argument for or Against Bali Catamarans
• Katamarans: Bali 4.8 Catamaran Review
• The International Yachting Media: Bali 4.0: The Catamaran Designed by Poncin   
• Multihulls World: New and Used Technical Specifications Lagoon Sixty Five
• Cruisers Forum: 380 Lagoon Pros and Cons
• Catamaran Guru: Bali Catamaran Solid Foredeck: Great Feature or Bad Idea?
• Multihulls: Multihull of the Year

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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This new 4.4 is in some ways a replacement for the Bali 4.3, but particularly the 4.5, the very first model in the Bali range. Aboard this catamaran, more than ever dedicated to comfort and family vacations, all the attributes of the Bali DNA are to be found - tilting door, opening side bay windows, rigid foredeck, and large chilled capacity. As a bonus, with the size of this model being closer to the 4.6 than the 4.4, there is a forward door, a flybridge and aft platform.

Test location: La Rochelle, France Conditions: North-easterly 8 to 15 knots, very light chop

Practical info

• Builder : BALI CATAMARANS

• Finance your Bali 4.4
• Articles about the Bali 4.4
• Available in issue # 183

Boat Test price 5.00 € Inc. tax

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We got the chance to try this new Bali as a preview... and very early in the season, too. But that didn’t prevent us from enjoying the hedonistic spirit intended by the designers of this catamaran. But it wasn’t all easy: persistent fog, freezing temperatures and especially frosty ropes didn’t make for very inviting sailing! On the dock, Boris Compagnon, Sales Director of Catana Group, and Kahina Oussadi, from their communication department, showed no discouragement: they came up with a few spare electric heaters and hooked them up to the mains, giving us a few more degrees of warmth inside. Of course, all this meant that we weren’t going to be taking advantage of the “open space” mode, one of the big features on every Bali model. No, this time we were keeping everything closed! And I have to admit that this “winter” configuration is also very convincing - the XXL area of the nacelle and the big windows are very pleasing.

As soon as the gennaker is unfurled, it turbocharges this platform that was designed primarily for comfort. The outboard chines and the 45° angle of the inboard topsides provide maximum agility while maintaining favorable waterline beam.

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The Argument For Or Against Bali Catamarans

When the Bali catamaran range was launched, it created a stir in the industry, not only because the Catana catamaran owner, Olivier Poncin, launched a NEW brand, but also because he turned conventional thinking about catamarans on its head.

It has since won accolades from industry professionals and consumers alike for innovation and performance and the Bali brand is now well established.

The Bali Catamaran Range Back Story

While Catana is still very successful in the PERFORMANCE class, Poncin recognized a gap in the market for a faster, lighter and more maneuverable production CRUISING catamaran. He further understood that such a cruising catamaran would have to compete with the likes of Lagoon, Leopard and Fountaine Pajot, all very successful brands for sailing cruisers. The new cat had to also be luxuriously appointed without significantly compromising performance and it had to be priced competitively.

So, he redesigned the entire modern catamaran by implementing innovative design ideas and unconventional and highly controversial concepts. The result was quite a stunning and very successful range of catamarans, called Bali . They have won several international awards and they have very quickly gained market acceptance, both in Europe and in the U.S

Critique Of The Bali Catamaran Range

There have been all kinds of criticisms about the Bali, some valid (which we will discuss later) and others that are just down right ridiculous. The most illogical of them being that these catamarans are not seaworthy and slam excessively because of the solid foredeck. We have already addressed this in our article “ Dealers And Their Biases ”, specifically about two of their most significant and distinctive design features, the solid foredeck and the “garage door” concept.

But the biased opinions persist with competing dealers who appear to not have any personal or current offshore experience of the sailing ability and seaworthiness of Bali catamarans and base their criticisms purely on their own biases. While much criticism has been lodged about solid foredecks, like that of the the Bali design, we have a different view on the issue. Here is some history and background information.

The Evolution Of The Catamaran Foredeck & Reduction Of Weight To Enhance Performance

Solid foredecks were much more common in the early days of production cats like the Catalac, Prout, Gemini, etc. than they are today. While they were proven to be seaworthy, the incessant slamming in bad sea on the solid foredeck and low bridgedeck, demanded a design change. Solid foredecks were eventually replaced in modern cats by nets / trampolines as design developed because the heavy solid foredecks placed weight in exactly the wrong area and severely impeded performance.

Bali’s Foredeck Design Philosophy

Bali liked the idea of having an open solid platform from stem to stern and followed the structural strength philosophy of the solid foredeck design of old. However, they created the solid foredeck with their own new and unique box sections construction and lightweight infusion technology which allowed them to replace the netting without adding the extra weight.

The foredeck on the Bali is not just a flimsy joint between the hull and deck sections, but is actually part of the bow structure and contributes to the stiffness of the boat, making it much stronger than conventional catamarans with two bows joined by a crossbeam and netting.

The acute angle of the bottom section of the solid foredeck causes the bows to lift, rather than dive, improving performance even further. Since there is no netting the foredeck is relatively dry in most conditions but even if it does take a lot of water over the bows, the water drains efficiently and quickly. It has a very unique and clever draining system. The water drains through a big opening in the well next to the windlass down into the anchor locker. It is fitted with three backward facing scuppers, mounted in the step, which is molded into the center nacelle. This allows for a quick purging of the water with no pushback. The solid foredeck also allows for much more buoyancy forward than a conventional catamaran and in our experience does not slam any more than other catamarans that we have sailed on.

Foredecks On Other Modern Cats

The development of the modern catamaran has been meteoric in recent years and with the evolution of modern lightweight design and infusion technology, netting is no longer a necessity for weight reduction up forward on some designs of cruising catamarans. Therefor trampolines on modern designs have become much smaller and today, catamaran designers are increasingly encroaching on the foredeck to create more interior space and in fact, they are almost completely designing the trampolines out of some of the boats.

Good examples would be the Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 (see the picture of the Lucia 40 vs the earlier FP design, Athena 38) in which the designers moved the living spaces forward in the Lucia 40 to create a bigger cockpit. In order to do that, they had to reduce the size of the trampolines. This holds true in other cats like Xquisite Yachts , the Leopard catamaran range, the Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 ,and many others. With this in mind, we predict we will see more catamarans with solid foredecks coming onto the luxury yacht market.

The Bali catamaran range is a young brand that stems from an esteemed background. It has a few teething issues but In our opinion there are no problems with the solid foredeck of the Bali that we can see at this stage. We are certainly open to hearing different opinions from informed sources and would be happy to update current information as it becomes available. So far Bali has proven to be strong, fast and seaworthy and it is a fun sailing boat.

Want to Buy a Bali?

Dealers for Bali Catamarans in USA

Catamaran Guru, through its sister company, Ocean Multihulls, has been appointed the exclusive Dealer for Bali Catamarans in Texas & for Charter Management fleets worldwide. Contact us directly for specifications, pricing, and a concierge-level buying experience.

Bali Catamarans Systems & Interior Improvements

• Bali separates itself from other cruising cats like Fountaine Pajot, Leopard and Lagoon by using the more expensive closed cell foam for the core in the hull versus balsa wood core with the other three builders.
• The other difference is that the Bali has the rudder far back and aft of the propeller which makes it track very well and is in keeping with the emphasis on performance versus the Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot who have moved the propeller aft of the rudder which is not ideal for performance but allows for a nice big engine room – in catamarans everything is a compromise.

However, one of the negatives for us was definitely the stark interior of the Bali catamaran range. While it is very functional and wearable, it just did not have that “luxury” feel that you would expect in a cruising cat like that of a Lagoon or an Xquisite. Many of our clients also remarked on the fact that the fittings and finishes are lightweight and somewhat minimalist. While “lightweight” is Bali’s intent for improved performance, the market requires a more luxurious and cozy interior.

We passed this feedback on the manufacturer and they decided to address that issue with the new “Premier Interiors” that were launched at the Cannes show in September 2017. This is a big improvement as it has had a great reception from the sailing community.

There were a few other small things that needed to be addressed like systems and quality control. From what we have heard from the sailing public, it seems that Bali has done a nice job on improving their quality issues. We will attended the Cannes Boat Show to view the new Bali interiors to keep on the pulse as the product evolves.

New Premier Interiors For Bali Catamaran Range

The New Bali 5.4 Catamaran Model

Quite honestly, the Bali range is a joy to sail. We have tested these cats in all weather conditions and we believe that Poncin stayed true to his performance roots with these catamarans. We love this boat so much, we bought our own Bali 5.4 to liveaboard . Here’s why:

• Impressively large flybridge
• Bali’s Signature swing / garage salon door
• Direct access from salon into forward cockpit area through opening door
• Bali’s Signature solid foredeck with large living space
• 4, 5, 6 Cabin layouts
• Dining area seats up to 12 people
• Self tacking jib and is set up for short handed sailing
• Access from aft cabins directly onto the aft deck
• Huge water and fuel capacity (315 gallons each)
• Central island beds
• Hydraulic tender lift platform with remote control

Bali 5.4 Specifications & Brochure>>

Bali 5.4 Layouts

Estelle Cockcroft

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29 thoughts on “The Argument For Or Against Bali Catamarans”

Very positive comparison , Good teaching tool for the sales people. With each new Bali we receive I am seeing the differences in the quality getting better. I also see the dedication of the Manufacture in improving to make this the best in the industry.

Thank you Mike. I’m glad this can help. I just wanted to put the foredeck issue to rest once and for all. The disinformation going around is disturbing.

You are so right! This mythology was passed on to us by so many seasoned sailors that we struck Bali off of our list at one point. We did a lot more unbiased research and the reality became clear. The prejudices and ignorance surrounding Balis is palpable. We just took ownership of a new Catspace and we are deeply in love!

Congratulations Sylvie! We wish you many wonderful adventures. Please check in with us and let us know how you guys enjoy the boat and the places you visit!

Great review and commentary. Do you intend to review the Bali 5.4 with Premium Interior? I’d be very interested to read that. Thanks!

Hi Mike, I wasn’t going to but since you asked, perhaps I will do an update. Thank you for the prompt.

All of us, including Labrador dog, are fully satisfied with SPOT, the Bali 4.0 our family bought late spring. A pleasure to confirm every point. 🙂

Thank you Jean-Jacques. We are glad that you are happy with your purchase. Happy sailing!

Very impressed with the Bali Stephen. Hopeful to place my order later this year for the 4.5. Any chance that they may update the stateroom hull portholes into something larger like the Helia rectangular windows with portholes inside? That’s my only real criticism. Love that they’ve provided so many but just need to be larger on the lateral hull and transom for my taste. Are they’re structural limitations?

Sorry it was the Lagoon 52 with the combination porthole inside larger windows

We loved loved loved the interior layouts of the owners version we were on. Here were my negative findings. The rear door motor was not reliable in being able to completely life the weight of the rear door and it took two men two strong tall men to complete the locked and engaged position. Lastly and most important, she was extremely hard to steer st thr helm when motoring at 7 plus knots. The boat actually made 9 knots a couple times. I attribute her good ride and speed to thr high freeboard and the core makeup, but as soon as I took it off auto pilot it was like wresting an elephant . She could not be safely controlled without autopilot above 7.5 knots. I attributed it to thr props being so far from the rudders although I am not an engineer and can not confirm this. She was easy to sail and the self tacking jib is nice for single handing. I would love to own a bigger version, with corrections I’ve noted

Jeff, Thanks for the reply! The motor for the garage door has been replaced and is now only a mechanical system that easy to operate. We opened and closed it several times at boat shows and all but the littlest lady had no problems pulling the door down and lock it. As for the steering problem, I have no idea why you would have ah that problem. Again, we have been on several sea trials and did not experience that. I will ask around to see if other had that issue.

Thank you for the excellent article. Works you have any further comments on how this design would fare in blue water and rougher seas? Any major limitations or hesitation for this design versus others for possible crossings?

Mark, the Bali is as blue water capable as Lagoon, FP, Leopard and Nautitech. All are cruising catamarans and of very similar construction. Many of the Bali’s have been sailed across the Atlantic for deliveries in the US or Caribbean and they have all fared as well as any of the other designs. Like every manufacturer, they have had issues with the first few models, i.e. a leaky window, but as far as safety and performance, they are good boats. No worries there!

Anyone out there actually purchase and use a Bali 4.5? I’m looking at one for purchase and would really appreciate input from someone who’s actually sailed extensively, not just reviewed at a dock. Thanks! Mark

Mark, it would be good for you to join the Bali owners group on Facebook. They are an active group and give you some input. We have sailed the Bali 4.5 a few times ourselves. What is it that you would like to know?

I’ve heard earlier Bali cats did not have quite the quality they now do (interior construction, and perhaps some structural). Around what timeframe did the quality improvement take place?

Thanks for the excellent article and site! Jim K

Jim I am not a hundred percent sure but I think it was about 3 to 4 years ago.

I am interested in the new Bali Catspace design. interesting use of interior volume to change position of forward berths. Is this a design that Bali is planning on expanding beyond the current 40 foot model

Daryl no, there will be no bigger Catspace models. Would you like information about the Catspace? If so, email [email protected]

thanks, now focusing on the Bali 4.2 this new model really looks exciting.

Hi Daryl, that’s great! We hope to have a demo Bali 4.2 here in Florida soon!

One of the important factors differentiating Bali from the others is while Seawind, Nautitech and many others have an opening bulkhead to the saloon, what they are doing is making the open air cockpit larger. Bali in contrast with its rear door allows you to close off the cockpit, making it part of the saloon. Put another way, Nautitech, Seawind and Bali with their doors open have one big space for beautiful outdoor elements, but in rain, at night, in cold weather, when there are mosquitoes or bugs, or when you simply want privacy, ONLY Bali allows you to retain all of that cockpit space as protected, private space. Having lived aboard a catamaran now for over 20 years, I NEVER have wanted a bigger cockpit approach, I don’t want flies crawling over my dishes in the saloon and galley all the time. But the thought of having my saloon extended so that I can have now more space, and all of the things that go with that such as three different groups having a conversation without stepping on other, is priceless. Now my son can do class, I can work and my wife can work all at the same time. Now, let’s talk about Bali’s other key feature, their large refrigerator and freezer. It used to be the rule of thumb that over provisioning was a bad idea, simply eat what the locals eat. But now with Covid we see the unfortunate truth, a host country does not need to let you in, and your 2 or 3 week passage could always, at the sole discretion of that host country, turn into a 6 week round trip. To accomplish the provisioning you for that possibility, you need freezer capacity, and Bali’s has triple the freezer capacity of any other sailboat, regardless of size. It also used to be a fact that you needed to conserve power and things like large refrigerators and freezers were the domain of power yachts with huge generators, but now with solar panels costing less the $1 per watt, even the most frugal cruiser can afford to have solar panels large enough to keep this huge refrigerator and freezer going. 10 years ago, this wasn’t the case. With these two features, unique to Bali, I think they are in a leadership position in the industry.

[email protected]

We chartered a Bali 5.4 recently in the Bahamas and absolutely loved it. The garage door opening at the rear of the saloon is the bomb! And the standup refrigerators were to die for – just ask the numerous Lagoon charterers who stopped by and raved about our refrigerator/freezer space compared to theirs! One issue, however, was the lack of fresh air in the sleeping cabins. One of the cabin air conditioners went out (as can happen on a sailboat) and there was no way to catch air from outside and get it into the cabins since there are no deck hatches. It was NOT possible to sleep in that cabin and one of the couples on our trip had to sleep in the saloon area for the bulk of our trip. We are considering buying a smaller cat, but won’t consider the Bali until/unless they can fix this problem.

Earl, thank you for the feedback. If you had the 5 or 6 cabin version, then I have to agree. It is a problem. We have a 4 cabin Bali 5.4 with a crew cabin and in that case we have enough ventilation. But we are working with a company to help with scooping air into the cabins. I think it will be a great improvement. Stay in touch. I will post updates.

Any updates on cabin ventilation

Hi Ross the mold was done but I dont know if Etienne has manufactured any scoops yet. Let me check and get back to you.

Where can i find polar diagrams for all Bali catamarans. Very interested in the design but would like some info on performance.

Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing!

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Comparing the Lagoon 450 with the Bali 4.5

Comparing the bali 4.5 and the lagoon 450 so you know which catamaran to pick for your next yacht charter., 3rd may 2016.

It can be difficult to choose between catamarans so we’ve put together a little comparison blog to help you select the one that is most right for you.

The Bali 4.5

It offers a great sail if you want to try something new and will certainly make a statement when you enter a port, you will be sailing in style! You can also trust in the Catana experience in terms of construction and performance.

The yacht’s fresh design boasts a large lounge area with traditional catamaran aft cockpit and open space saloon/galley. The open-space concept, from the pass-through window to the fore deck, to the drop-down deck extension in the back, make this 45ft catamaran feel much larger than others. There’s a forward rigid cockpit and large fridge freezer, just like you have at home, so plenty of space for beers and champers. There are flybridge and and bimini versions available too. The increased bridgedeck clearance and high freeboard make for a smooth and quiet ride.

Bali 4.5 summary

The innovative design of the Bali 4.5 offers an open space concept both above and below deck. While it does away with the traditional forward trampolines, it replaces with plenty of cushions and lounging space for a patio-like atmosphere perfect for entertaining. The pass through window to the fore deck make that space much more enjoyable. Overall it is a comfortable and solid sailing catamaran with a lot of unique concepts that make this 45ft feel much larger.

The Lagoon 450

Lagoon certainly knows how to built a catamaran to get the pulse racing. It has better ergonomics & and exploits every single inch of space onboard, both above and below decks. It’s a very clever design indeed.

It also has a useful davit system on board. The spacious flybridge is one of its most notable features, offering additional sunbathing spots in addition to the forward trampolines and foredeck. It boasts a beam of 25ft 9in. This is a solid build that sailors have loved for years, with many of the more traditional aspects while the Bali takes a more innovative and experimental approach.

Lagoon 450 summary

This luxurious and popular catamaran offers plenty of space including a nice flybridge. While it may not be the fastest, its many contemporary features make for a comfortable experience while still maintaining the typical catamaran features such as the trampolines.

In summary, they are both fantastic catamarans to charter, so it is for you to decide if you prefer the much-loved, tried and tested Lagoon 450, or the new, comfortable and innovative kid on the block of the Bali 4.5. Best way is to try both, if you usually sail the Lagoon 450, why not give the Bali 4.5 a try for your next charter.

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Bali 4.4 extends the winning formula

• June 30, 2022

Designed by Catana Group boss Olivier Poncin with an interior by Lasta Design Studio, the new Bali 4.4 rounds out the French builder’s modern series of sailing catamarans, which range from the 40ft Catspace Sail and 4.2 to the larger 4.6, 4.8 and 5.4 models. By Emmanuel Van Deth.

The Bali 4.4 had her world premiere at this year’s International Multihull Show

With an overall length topping 44ft and a beam over 24ft, the new Bali 4.4 is in some ways a replacement for the 4.3 but more for the 4.5, the very first model in the Bali range. Aboard this catamaran, which is more than ever dedicated to comfort and family vacations, all the attributes of the Bali DNA are to be found – tilting door, opening side bay windows, rigid foredeck and large chilled capacity.

As a bonus, with the size of this model being closer to the 4.6 than the 4.2 among the current Bali range, there’s a forward door, a flybridge and aft platform. Acting as the rear façade of the deckhouse, the large ‘Bali door’ on the 4.4 is 11ft 6in across and 6ft 3in high – and opens electrically in under 25 seconds. The entire saloon is then open to the rear, while the door at the front leads to the foredeck.

The 4.4 fills out Bali’s modern range of six sailing models

Although the deck layout has been designed for relaxation with a maximum area of rigid deck space due to the integral foredeck and the high-low platform that extends to the sugarscoops, it remains functional, with fluid circulation everywhere. Furthermore, the natural ventilation is particularly effective – or at least it would be in warm weather.

Instead, we tested this new Bali in La Rochelle in sub-zero temperatures, which meant much of the time we didn’t enjoy the ‘open space’ mode, which is one of the big attractions of every Bali model. At sea, we kept everything closed, entering the boat via the door within the Bali door, yet the winter configuration proved very homely as the extra-large saloon and its big windows create a warm environment.

Like all Bali models, the 4.4 features a solid foredeck that expands social space

Underfoot, the composite sandwich is very stiff, proof of careful and generously sampled construction. Up front, the hard deck is entirely covered with sunbeds. It looks good and provides an immense amount of social space, although opening the lockers is more complicated with all the covers. The aft cockpit is home to a large, almost 9ft-wide bench seat, forward of the sugarscoops and the hydraulic platform.

SUITABLE FOR ALL SEASONS

We entered the Chenal des Minimes channel under engine, our model featuring the optional twin 57hp Yanmars. It was immediately apparent that the motors propel the boat with little effort, given we were up to about 7 knots at 2,150rpm aided only a little by the northeast wind, as we hardly noticed any difference when we turned and headed into it.

Up on the flybridge, accessible from both sides, manoeuvring is simple: everything happens from the helm station, which is offset to port and neighbours a raised L-shaped sofa to starboard. Aft is a lounging area surrounded by padded rails, while the designers wanted to limit the height of the boom. In fact, the lazy bag is easily accessible, and the mainsail area is larger.

Despite the cold, the halyards and sheets manage to run over their respective sheaves, round the winches and through the clutches. As soon as the mainsail was hoisted and the Code 0 unfurled, we trimmed the traveller and the sheets. With the wind oscillating between 8-15 knots on the beam, our boat speed was 7-8 knots with a few peaks at 9 knots during little gusts.

The Bali door raises electronically to connect the cockpit and saloon

When the main is set just right, you can clearly feel the Bali 4.4 is just waiting to be sailed. The Code 0, promoted by the yard, brings an obvious bonus up to about 70° off the wind. It won’t go higher because the sheeting angle logically passes outside the shrouds. To get closer to the wind, we rolled up the Code 0 and unfurled the self-tacking solent. This reduces the headsail area from 796sqft to 452sqft.

Despite a sail-area-to-weight ratio of 8.68sqm/t, which is more favourable than the 7.07 of the Bali 4.2, the difference in punch is clearly felt. When we came up to 50/55° off the true wind, boat speed barely exceeded 5 knots, leeway was noticeable, and the sail trim needed to be quite precise. In such conditions, not ideal for relying purely on sail, one or two of the engines can be used to help you maintain course.

OPEN SPACE IN AND OUT

During most of our day of sailing, we stayed warm inside, the perfect view over the water allowing us to keep a close watch and the autopilot remote control did the rest. Obviously, some changes in angle of the wind coming off the coast did force some of the crew up on to the flybridge to make adjustments.

The saloon has over 7ft of headroom in areas and the option of two lounge chairs to starboard

For the rest, we were able to taste oysters – the famous Marennes d’Oléron, of course – while making good speed towards the island of Ile-d’Aix. The level of comfort inside the saloon is enhanced by its generous headroom, which reaches up to 7ft 3in in places. Far from being exclusively reserved for tropical or summer use, the Bali ‘open space’ concept shows it’s also comfortable in less favourable climates.

The galley features a large L-shaped work surface complemented by a sideboard and a plus-sized fridge-freezer that is another Bali standard. The recess for the helm station is integrated into the whole, although the table in this area can be bigger on the four-cabin charter version. Forward, to starboard, a chart table is fitted.

The galley to port offers storage, cooking appliances, sinks and countertop space on three sides

The ‘Elegance’ finish on our test boat included upgraded upholstery, armrests, two club chairs and integrated bar and leather handles for the storage spaces, all nice touches on a model that featured the three-cabin owner’s layout downstairs.

AT HOME IN THE HULLS

The port hull is entirely dedicated to the owner and is accessed down five steps. The master suite includes a big double bed configured as an island bed, a dressing table/desk, a huge bathroom, large windows in the hull, two opening portlights, and numerous storage spaces. It has it all.

In the owner’s version, the master suite occupies most of the port hull

The companionway to the starboard hull has a sturdy handrail, which is very useful in choppy seas. The aft en-suite cabin has the same dimensions as on the port side, with a minimum headroom of 6ft 5in.

The 4ft 9in-wide bed in the forward en-suite cabin is a little narrower than at the stern and much higher, lying almost 3ft above the floor as opposed to just under 2ft in the aft cabin. Both rooms benefit from large hull windows, great ventilation and plenty of storage space. In fact, all three cabins are plus points.

Forward view of the master suite

Like most Bali models, the 4.4 is designed for boaters who want a platform for enjoying life on the water, a floating home that can be moved from anchorage to anchorage, and even from one ocean to another. www.bali-catamarans.com

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• Model Range

Coming from the R&D department of the Catana Group, the BALI 4.5 invites you to enjoy sailing with an open space feel. By not following the norm, the BALI 4.5 is quite an innovation: panoramic views, great natural ventilation, large forward cockpit with removable tables and sundeck, standard or fly bridge helmsman area, elegant design and finishing, great internal and external living spaces, unique level of self sufficiency, unbeatable comfort and seagoing qualities and not to mention the performance and safety that you would expect from a Catana.

PRESENTING THE OPEN SPACE   INNOVATIONS

A NEW WAY OF LIVING AND SAILING ON A CATAMARAN

Relaxing :   great internal and external living spaces

A great forward cockpit with a seating area, removable tables and a great sundeck (18 m²) instead of the traditional trampoline.

An aft cockpit with a seating area, LED lights and a foldable table.

An additional sundeck on the coach roof.

Comfort :   enjoy the best of what cruising has to offer

a unique freshness of the saloon with large, fully retractable windows

exceptional amount of daylight with a panoramic view from the saloon

equipment level that will satisfy the most demanding sailors

elegant design and interior décor arranged to provide you with a stay that is as pleasant as your own home

Practicality : Innovations that leave nothing to chance A high level of self sufficiency with a 800 l fresh water tank that can be combined with a water maker that provides 200 l of fresh water an hour, fuel tank of 800 l, 615 l American type fridge with an icemaker and a chilled water dispenser and a generator. Along with that, all necessary household appliances are at your disposal and that includes a dishwasher, a washing machine, an espresso maker…

Sailing :   CATANA technology, quality and performance BALI 4.5 Open space is built in the Catana shipyards in France, using the best quality materials. Using the closed-cell PVC foam sandwich construction and hull fabrication by infusion ensure rigidity, durability, and weight reduction. The design and the height of the nacelle allows a better passage through water and with that a higher level of comfort and safety. With the mast moved further aft there is more space for a larger self tacking jib and with the self tacking system, greater manoeuvrability. The sail area and weight ratio is the biggest in its class and that brings the performance that you would expect from a Catana catamaran.

Technical Specification

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Bali Yacht World charter management program

Looking for the easiest way to your own boat? Choose our Bali Yachting World charter management program that has already been recognized by many boat owners. Become a Bali Catamaran owner with minimal investment and enjoy the yacht's ownership without worrying about its maintenance.

If you are interested in buying yacht or need help planning your perfect vacation, contact us and our experts will gladly answer to all of your questions.

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Description

If you are looking for a cat that delivers the maximum useable living space per square metre, then the Bali range is streets ahead of everyone else. The 4.3 sits one rung up from entry level boats like the Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 and the Lagoon. Read our Lagoon 40 review for a deeper insight into these entry level boats

Photo credit: bali-catamarans.com

– Forward cockpit lounge? ✓ – Flybridge? ✓ – Open aft cockpit/salon? ✓ – Large cabins with island berths? ✓ – American style fridge? ✓ – Protection in bad weather ✓

The bottom line is, if you are shopping for a performance catamaran with slender hulls and less living space, don´t show your other half this range of boats, as you won´t get that cat back in the bag. They have taken the charter market by storm.

• All that space! The main deck layout is really innovative. The huge “garage door” swings up to the roof of the cabin either electrically or manually which gives you a huge open space for entertaining. That gives you enough room for a full sized fridge and freezer, dining area, lounger area, nav station and large galley. The lot, in other words.
• If the weather turns, or you feel like some privacy, just swing the big door down and you have a fully enclosed saloon. Very neat!
• The foredeck is solid, and while this does have drawbacks (see below), it gives you even more lounging space in a forward cockpit you normally expect to see on a larger Leopard, and plenty of working space for your light wind sails. It also results in a very stiff structure and means you have plenty of buoyancy forward without the slamming you would experience on a Prout.
• The forward part of the saloon is all windows: the big central window opens right up so you can pass cool drinks out to anyone lounging in the forward cockpit area.
• We like that forward facing nav station on the starboard side.
• The flybridge helm looks like it would be exposed in bad weather. The visibility is excellent, of course, and you would be helming from the nav station below in really bad weather, but remember- you have to reef and manage the ropes from up there.
• The flipside of having all of that space down in the saloon is that the boom is very high. It´s very hard to access and it also means that the centre of effort of the mainsail is high.
• I have had many conversations about that solid foredeck. It has been sculpted like a ski to dissipate wave energy, but even so, there is more weight up front and that means more bouncing around in heavy seas. I like nets, personally, and it would worry me in a heavy sea. Having said that, Prouts did this for years and they are very seaworthy boats.
• The huge glass panels upfront are superb at anchor, but they would worry me in a storm offshore.
• Lack of hand holds moving up to the foredeck.

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All lines come aft to the flybridge helm. The mast is stepped back like a Prout (you´ll see the support pole in the saloon), and so the Bali 4.1 is powered with a relatively small mainsail and a large, self-tacking jib. That flybridge means a high boom: the jib is where a lot of the pull comes from when you are under way.

It´s a short few steps up either side from the aft cockpit area, to the  flybridge. As well as the  helm seat, , there´s a sun lounge and some solar to keep your batteries charged.

Bali builds the boat in 3 pieces, in a PVC foam sandwich and polyester resin, covered with an anti-osmosis gelcoat. The decks are built with plywood and monolithic resin and the bulkheads are in glued or laminated plywood.

Living Area

Well, this is where the Bali excceds all expectations isn´t it? I can´t think of another cat that gets close to this amount of space, certainly not in the performance category compared to the Outremer 45 , for example, and not even in the cruising category. Maybe the Leopards come close with their forward cockpit that is accessible through the saloon. And the Nautitechs with their Open concept, but Bali has really gone “all in” here.

It reminds me of a McConaghy catamaran but those boats are in an entirely different price bracket. But the basic feeling is the same – that of being in a spacious apartment.

Bali call this the “Loft” concept. The galley is forward, with a full size fridge and microwave to starboard and aft. There´s working space everywhere, and it looks like a great layout for entertaining.

The visibility is excellent all around with big windows that fully open to the sides and forward. You are not going to have a problem with ventilation at anchor on this boat. And down below, the accomodation is spacious and light. They have used that old Catana trick of flaring the hulls so that you get decent living space and acceptable performance underway. The hulls flare to chines just above the waterline, just like a Catana: you can definitely spot the family DNA there.

She´s certainly at the top of her class when it comes to space down below. I wouldn´t call the finish high end, but it is comparable to the competitors (principally Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot). Choose between the 3 cabin Owners version or the 4 cabin charter.

With a SA/D (Sail Area to Displacement) of around 19, she´s in the same bracket as a Lagoon, although I think she would accelerate faster with those sculpted hulls and would get going quicker in a light breeze as long as you don´t overload her with kit. You´ll be tacking through 100 degrees upwind and cruising along at 6-7 knots in most conditions. It´s worth having gennaker in your locker to get the best out of the boat!

The Bali 4.3 comes with twin 40HP (upgradable to 50s) engines aft which should push you along at 8 knots at 2500 RPM. Or alternate the engines and motor at 6. She´s easy to manouevre in the marina.

The Bali 4.3 is a really innovative design and it is easy to see how this catamaran has done so well in the charter market. She offers an unbeatable platform for enjoying a week or 2 of coastal sailing around the Med or the Carribbean Islands. For longer passages, I am not so sure. I would be drifting back towards Catana in that scenario. I have no problem with the solid foredeck (Prout proved this concept many times over), but I would worry about the height of that boom and the helm position.

How much is a Bali 4.3? As always, this will depend the the options you go for, but a guide sail away price would be around €450k, which is in line with the main competition in this size.

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