It’s been seven years ago since the Catana Group launched its first Bali model. According to doomsayers, they shouldn’t last for that long. But, Olivier Poncin, the President, made it clear that the Bali range will grow even further by producing a model to match every size offered by the competition (Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard).
With such success the Catana Group, as one of the top four catamaran builders, managed to achieve its ambition and fill in a large gap between models Bali 5.4 and Bali 4.5. with this beauty Bali 4.8.
She made her world debut in July 2020 at a private show, the Rendez-Vous Bali, in Canet-en-Roussillon, south of France, the Group's headquarters and main construction site. Due to the current situation, they decided to impose themselves in their concept, which Boris Compagnon, sales and marketing director of Catana Group explains: "The current health situation is pushing the nautical industry to think about new ways to welcome its customers. The rules of distancing in force in Europe make us anticipate a drop in the number of visitors to the autumn boat shows, while demand is still very strong. In this context, organizing the Rendez-Vous Bali seemed to us to be the most appropriate way to welcome our European clients and prospects in the greatest comfort and safety. They will benefit from a VIP welcome at the shipyard, will be able to visit the boats during private tours, which are essential in order to respect the distance, will test the boat at the end of the day, and will discover our construction workshops on this occasion".
The brand’s seventh opus has an overall length of 48ft 9in and is named the "Open Space". For the first time on one multihull under 15 meters (50’) in length, there is a possible layout of 6 double cabins and 6 en-suite bathrooms, that has the ability to accommodate up to 14 people. The charter companies make up two-thirds of the sales of these boats. It is for sure they will be “doing the math” on that one.
Evidently, that's not by chance since its super-sized interior space is completely open and transformable thanks to the large, motorized tilt-and-turn door that fully opens the space in no time. Large front cockpit with wide lounge seats and integrated storage, access to the aft cabins (or central cabins depending on the configuration) through two large hatches opening into the aft cockpit, and the flybridge that can comfortably accommodate lovers of star watching with a bench-seat helm, L-shaped sofa, table, and large aft sun pad, are just some of the many novelties they brought.
The possible problem with such a flybridge is the distance to the lines, so when You come into the marina, You will need competent crew members that can step up.
The Bali 4.8 has a lot more you’d find on the 5.4 including the foredeck door, an enormous indoor-outdoor social area.
INTERIOR:
In either hull there are two double cabins that have double beds set with amazing views of the sea through the portholes. In the anterior peaks, bathrooms come with separate showers. In the full version, there are two cabins in the center of the hulls with two single bunk berths each. They have direct access to the cockpit.
On the question of why did he choose to build a catamaran with a solid foredeck when other catamaran builders chose not to, Olivier Poncin said: “Xavier convinced me of the architectural interest of the full foredeck. It’s a great idea, as it provides safer sailing and a living area that’s bigger than anything previously seen. Today, Bali models offer up to 20 percent more living space than competitors of the same size, which is one of our great assets. A series of points have helped to differentiate Bali from other catamarans. As well to the tilt-and-turn door and solid foredeck, there are quite a few others such as the aft platform and sliding windows. Strangely enough, one of the greatest qualities of Bali models is not well known. I attach a lot of importance to the fact that Balis are very seaworthy catamarans and fast, too.“
They use fine-entry bows, ensuring their cats can safely glide through the water, with a chine above the waterline that provides the volume required inside to give the comfort expected by Bali owners. Their satisfaction comes from the feedback of the yachtsmen who are often surprised by the performance of the Bali catamaran, which is good proof that quality is almost always recognized by the market.
TECHNICAL INFO:
Conception Olivier PONCIN
Naval Architect - Xavier FAŸ
Interior design - Lasta Design Studio
Overall length - 14.86 m / 48’ 9’’
Hull length - 14.28 m / 46’ 10’’
Beam - 7.88 m / 25’ 10’’
Draft - 1.35 m / 4’ 5’
Empty weight - 15.3 t approx.
Maximum displacement - 22 t approx.
Maximum upwind sail area - 173 m2 / 1,861 ft2
Standard mainsail area - 81 m2 / 872 ft2
Code – 90 m2 / 968 ft2
Standard self-tacking solent - 47 m2 / 506 ft2
Fresh water - 1 000 l / 264 USGal
Fuel - 1000 l / 264 USGal
Refrigerator - up to 615 l approx. / 162 USGal
Engines - 2x45hp/cvupto2x57hp/cvYanma
EC approval in progress: Cat. A 14 people
ENGINE COMPARTMENS
Engine rooms are totally separate from the accommodation. Bali 4.8 comes with 2 x 45 HP Yamar diesel engines, control panels at the helm station, 2 sail drive transmission systems, 3 fixed blade propellers, optional 3-blade folding propellers, 2 fuel filters/water separators, 2 Fuel tanks 400L and 600L with gauge displays at chart table and a ceiling lights.