Interview with Phil Berman, the president of Balance Catamarans.
Walking through the sailing pavilion at the Miami International Boat Show, you cannot avoid stopping to admire the most beautiful and innovative sailing catamarans of the moment – the Balance Catamarans from South Africa.
So, we took the opportunity to stop and chat with Phil Berman, founder, co -designer, and president of Balance Catamarans. Balance has recently introduced new models, the innovative 464 and 502CC. These latest models will be launched later this year and Spring of 2026. We stopped to chat with him about some of the most dramatic innovations.
Luca D’Ambrosio: The new 464 and 502 CC mark a step forward in the evolution of the sailing catamaran for the whole market, and I am not only referring to the VersaDrive Hybrid system but more specifically to the introduction of the carbon core, the VersaStern, and the dramatically increased sail plan. Can you tell us what benefits you expect from the introduction of these new features?
Phil Berman: The new carbon core structures of the 464 and 502 are quite revolutionary. Put simply, these structures enable us to gain significant stiffness and weight savings while avoiding the downside of carbon hulls – the noise when sailing at high speeds. These structures bring the very best of carbon without the downside of sailing with the noise that detours so many sailors from using carbon.
When you add the longer hulls, the larger sailplan and the stiffness of carbon, these newly engineered Balance Catamarans models will be quite simply game changers for performance voyagers around the globe.
Another engineering advancement is the VersaDrive for the new models which arises from our longstanding, industry- leading partnership with Integrel Solutions out of the UK. And we could not be happier with our work with them over the years as they are the leaders in creating truly sustainable propulsion. The E-Drive hybrid propulsion system they developed will be deployed in our new models first because of that partnership and mutual respect. Other catamaran builders are now rushing to follow suit as the innovation here by Integrel is a stunning advancement in technology.
I want to mention that we also used our creative design minds on this project as well: We totally updated the interiors by bringing very contemporary styling to the interior spaces. We reached out to pros and hired an Italian-based design firm to create new couches, cabinetry design, and finishes for us. The ethos at Balance Catamarans has always been to offer great performance and elegant, stylish living. I am very excited about the new look interiors as I think that they are really special in so many ways.
Luca D’Ambrosio: Bigger and brighter hatches and windows, interiors built to standards far above market standards, how important are design and quality of life onboard for Balance Catamarans?
Phil Berman: This goes to the very core of who and what Balance Catamarans is as a company and who we are as sailors. I literally came up with the name Balance with this notion in mind: Build fast, performance minded catamarans with elegant interiors that feel like home to owners.
Yes, they are well above market standards and that is the way we like it. We are not your average catamaran and don’t want to be. Just an example of this is that we focus on big things – the new hybrid propulsion systems – and the little things with equal zeal. Like the new ventilation systems we are using to increase airflow in our cabins or the VersaStern. It all matters to us, big and small.
Luca D’Ambrosio: In just a few weeks we will meet in South Africa for sail tests of the new models the 580 and 750. This brings your total model line to five performance voyaging models for the market. What do you expect from these latest models, the largest of your entire model line?
Phil Berman: We’ve been working on the 580 and 750 design now for three years. It is an enormous amount of work to get to this place in time when they are launched and will soon be sailing the world. I am very, very excited to be in South Africa soon for these events. These are dreams come true for me and our entire teams.
From the earliest design phases to the thoughtful and imaginative engineering and handcrafting labor that has gone into these boats we have worked to ensure that the core Balance DNA of performance, elegant living and innovation at every stage is prominent.
Both of these boats are going to dazzle. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but let me just say,we have had a blast on the 580 test sails so far hitting amazing speeds.
Both of these catamarans are obviously going to be very fast – we designed them to be but we also designed them to be enormously livable for people who really love to sail.
Sailing a Balance is always exciting, yet living on one is special too. We are very excited to debut the new 580 this year at both the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Annapolis Boat Show.
Luca D’Ambrosio: What kind of boat owner are they designed for?
Phil Berman: All of our boats are designed for sailors who love to sail and share this love with family and friends in open, gracious living spaces that make you feel one with the sea and the environment.
Luca D’Ambrosio: The Miami Boat Show is in full swing, how well was Balance Catamaran received in Florida and what is the sentiment after these first three days of the show?
Phil Berman: We had a very good show. We speak directly with our owners and future owners and so we are always in conversation with people – sometimes over years – as they sort and prepare for the day they can purchase a Balance Catamaran. We are an authentic, family-owned company whose heart and mind is tied to each and every model and people respect that very much. I always enjoy boat shows because I get to talk to so many people face to face.
