2023 Balance 442

The Balance 442 is a carbon-reinforced composite catamaran launched in 2023, designed by Phillip Berman and Anton du Toit. At 44 feet 4 inches long with a 24-foot 11-inch beam, she combines light weight and daggerboard technology for both sailing performance and shallow-draft capability. Twin Yammer 40-horsepower diesel engines with saildrives and folding propellers provide propulsion, supported by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery system upgraded to 20 kWh with integrated solar generation. The fractional sloop rig carries a self-tacking jib and full-battened mainsail, complemented by a screecher and spinnaker, all managed from the upper helm through electric winches and a straightforward control layout suited to short-handed operation.

The owner's three-cabin layout sleeps six comfortably, with flexible interior spaces designed around a convertible salon table that becomes a queen-size bed. The master cabin features an aft shower, while the port aft cabin has been configured as an office with a pull-out double bed. Headroom reaches 6 feet 8 inches throughout. The galley is U-shaped with generous storage, a Smeg induction cooktop, convection microwave, and an onboard watermaker. Additional amenities include a washer-dryer, hot-and-cold transom shower, and a Highfield CL340 tender with 20-horsepower Yamaha outboard.

The deck and systems reflect extensive specification choices. Navigation relies on dual 12-inch Garmin multifunction displays, 18-inch radar, autopilot, AIS, and VHF. Electrical infrastructure includes 1.6 kilowatts of solar panels, air conditioning throughout, and eleven 220-volt outlets with USB charging. Deck features encompass a Maxwell windlass with chain counter, cockpit sunshades with built-in awnings, a transom salt-water wash system, and custom helmsmanship upgrades including an integrated helm seat and expanded sightlines through the VersaHelm concept.

Interior finishes feature Sylvan Cedar flooring and hand-made cabinetry throughout. The hull carries an epoxy barrier coat and two coats of self-polishing antifouling. With approximately 600 hours on the twin Yammer engines, the boat was used as a demonstration model at the 2024 International Multihull Show.