Catamaran sailing yacht 502

cruising3-cabinwith deck saloon

Summary
The Balance 502 Carbon Core is a high-performance cruising catamaran available in 502 Carbon Core and 502 VersaDrive Carbon Core configurations. Designed for efficient short-handed operation while carrying significant cruising payloads. New model launched October 2025.

Overview
Heavily carbon-reinforced foam-core hulls, carbon substructure and a 1,544 sq ft high-aspect sail plan give the Balance 502 strong upwind pointing and high reaching speeds. High-aspect carbon daggerboards minimize leeway; carbon spade rudders deliver surfboard-like steering and control at speed.

Performance Note
Polars are Velocity Performance Predictions (VPPs) calculated with advanced modeling (Balance uses Wolfson Unit methods). Displayed polars assume average cruise-equipped displacement, flat sea, properly trimmed sails and a clean hull. Real-world performance varies with sea state, payload, hull condition and helmsman skill.

Construction
The interior core structure — cabin soles, partition panels, primary beams, bulkheads, daggerboards and trunks, and rudders — is full carbon. Carbon substructure is wrapped with vacuum-bagged closed-cell foam cores and E-glass in 100% vinylester resin to produce a lighter, stiffer and quieter performance catamaran at high speed.

Designers

• Philip Berman
• Anton du Toit

Propulsion
Two propulsion paths are offered: conventional diesel and the VersaDrive hybrid option. The VersaDrive configuration uses Integrel E-Drive components with large lithium battery banks and fast charging per engine (claimed fuel reduction up to ~25%). Solar panel options are available to supplement charging. Integrel E-Power enables 48 V alternation/charging benefits without a third diesel, supporting a propane-free power architecture.

Key features

• Carbon-core interior structure and carbon substructure
• Vacuum-bagged closed-cell foam cores with E-glass in vinylester resin
• High-aspect carbon fiber daggerboards
• High-performance carbon spade rudders
• Available Hybrid / VersaDrive option with Integrel E-Drive components

Specifications

• Overall Length: 15.25 m / 50.03 ft
• Waterline Length: 15.25 m / 50.03 ft
• Beam Overall: 7.9 m / 25.92 ft
• Main Sail: 95.63 m2 / 1,029.4 ft2
• Working Self-Tracking Jib: 39.31 m2 / 423 ft2
• Sail Area (100% Foretriangle): 143 m2 / 1,539 ft2
• Asymmetric Spinnaker: 217.9 m2 / 2,345 ft2
• Screacher / Reacher: CODE D – 89.55 m2 / 963.37 ft2
• Draft (Boards Down): 2.27 m / 7.46 ft
• Draft (Boards Up): 1.16 m / 3.81 ft
• Air Draft / Mast Clearance: 22.4 m / 73.49 ft
• DISP (Cruise Equipped Launch Weight): From 11,800 – 13,000 kg / 26,015 – 28,660 lbs
• Max Load Displacement: 18,850 kg / 41,550 lbs
• Underwing Clearance: From 932 mm / 36.7 in to 827 mm / 32.6 in
• Engine (standard): YANMAR 4JH45 x SD60 — 2 x 34 kW (2 x 45 HP)
• VersaDrive (hybrid option): 2 x 15 kW (2 x 20 HP) Integrel E-Drive; configuration may include 2 x 34 kW Yanmar diesels as an alternative
• Fuel Capacity: 2 x 400 liters / 2 x 106 gallons
• Fresh Water Capacity: 2 x 390 liters / 2 x 103 gallons
• Black Water Capacity: 2 x 61 liters / 2 x 16 gallons
• Sailplan / Performance: 1,544 sq ft high-aspect carbon daggerboard sail plan
• Layout options: 3-cabin interior and multiple deck/exterior layout choices; general arrangement and volume drawings available