Time truly does fly. Fourteen years after designing the first Balance 526, we are now launching our 35th and final hull to make way for the new Balance 540.
Balance began with a simple desire to create something of my own after years of selling other people’s boats. Reconnecting with Jonathan, Mark and Roger Paarman, John Heinrick, and later working with Anton du Toit, we set out to design a catamaran we hoped would sell three units a year—an ambition that now seems modest. John invested heavily in expanding the Saint Francis factory, and we co-funded the first boat, which sold before launch. It took years before either of us owned one ourselves.
Early success came from loyal brokerage clients willing to trust a new South African builder with significant deposits. Those first boats had challenges—as all boatbuilding does—but our customers stood by us, and our commitment to supporting them has remained central to who we are.
Phasing out the iconic 526 was driven by learning. Jonathan and I wanted to incorporate fourteen years of feedback into a completely new design while preserving everything people loved. The 540 is longer, faster, with greater underwing clearance, a larger saloon, new rig and sail plan, wider hulls for payload and luxurious owner layouts, and refined interior and exterior styling.
As Balance has grown, the path hasn’t always been clear, but what holds us together is care—for the boats and for our owners. Whether shipping parts across the world or helping troubleshoot repairs, our goal is to support customers as they explore the oceans.
I wish Clay and Aneka every happiness aboard their 526. I never imagined we would build 35 of them or that Balance would become what it is today—especially given my academic background in philosophy rather than business.
Legacy isn’t something I dwell on, but it brings joy to imagine people, long into the future, sailing, diving, and finding meaningful experiences aboard a Balance. These boats are vehicles for adventure and personal transformation—and that is incredibly special.
Thank you to every customer for your trust. We may not always find balance easily, but we will never stop trying.
Phil Berman