Bali 4.5

Appealing design

So what does a Bali 4.5 look like?  Firstly, it’s a very serious construction (this is Catana of course): polyester hulls, aluminum spars, but the daggerboards and their wells (classic Catana) have been replaced by skegs beneath the hulls... The finish is very neat; it definitely says Catana. The architect Xavier Faÿ and the Catana design team have opted for a rather generous and especially sleek sail plan. The mast follows the current trend, being set further aft, so as to maintain a large sail area for the self-tacking solent. The optional square-topped mainsail allows for an extra 2 m².  The hulls?  They adopt semicircular sections for a minimum wetted surface.  Note also the double step in the hull above the waterline. These ribs act as longitudinal stiffeners while providing a large volume over a good width of the hull. The main innovation with regard to the hydrodynamic part is the tunnel beneath the nacelle which starts at the bows, or almost. No more forward beam! The deck starts well forward of the coachroof.  This configuration does not favor the centering of weight, but creates a curved effect comparable to that of a giant ski. Making it pretty much guaranteed not to bury the bows! And especially a lot less spray.

The comfort/performance compromise

The yard did not skimp on the motors; the two 50-hp engines are powerful enough to ensure easy handling and tight turns despite the significant windage of the 4.5. Leaving port, the Bali progresses to an 8-knots cruising speed, at just over 2,000 revs. Flat out, 9.5 knots can be reached.  You will note the care taken with the soundproofing: longer passages under motor won’t be hellish for occupants of the aft cabins... Under sail, even in light airs, the Bali 4.5  goes rather well and remains able to tack, without even asking the help of backing the genoa. It manages to climb up to 55° off the true wind and doesn’t mind lengthening its stride in a good breeze. You can average 8 to 9 knots and sometimes reach over 10 at times, with a Force 5.  The gennaker makes it possible to double the forward sail area: a big boost on almost all points of sail. If your Bali is not equipped with one, it would be a good investment... The Bali 4.5 is pretty nimble under sail, displaying good general behavior on the water, the result of careful weight calculations - even if the impressive payload, almost five tonnes, can lead to a certain laziness... At the helm there is little sensation, but you get the feeling nevertheless of being in direct contact with the boat, and get immediate response. The helm station sits at mid-height, and the visibility forward and to starboard is excellent. The port quarter can be seen by ducking your head, but there’s no way (you’ll have to post a crewmember there) to check the port bow. The yard also offers a flybridge version. There, the view is excellent on the four corners of the Bali, but the boom is raised up quite a bit to accommodate this.

An impressive deck layout

The side-decks are generous in width, and there is an aft cockpit which can be described as conventional: the seats are spread on the port side with a large L-shaped bench around the table - 1.58 by 0.93 m. You only need two stools and you can seat  six or seven people.  On the starboard side, beneath the helm station, a lounger allows for reading or relaxation, perfectly protected from the sun or bad weather thanks to the good cover provided by the rigid bimini. The aft deck is more original: it serves as a safety rail when under way, and a diving board at anchor.  Forward, the traditional trampolines have been replaced by a hard-floored cockpit with two tables, sunbathing area and stainless steel railing. Well-set against the coachroof, even upwind you can’t feel the breeze anymore.  It’s the place to be!

In “open-space” mode

Flush-decked access, of course, with a beautiful headroom of 2.04 m... but above all a saloon where it is never too hot, thanks to the forward and aft windows that retract.  A fantastic feature which transforms life on board.  The dining area has a movable table, thanks to being cut around the mast strut. The reason behind this is to improve traffic flow outside of mealtimes. With three stools, you can seat at 6 or 7, as in the cockpit. The chart table has a 45-by-73-inch top, arranged athwartships. The yard has provided loads of stowage space, such as in the galley. This is arranged in a U-shape, with an immense countertop, but the corners are harsh.  A big thumbs-up for the industrial-size refrigerator and freezer.  The three-cabin version dedicates the port hull to the owner, with a beautiful island bed of 2 x 1.44 m and a huge bathroom. Unlike current trends, the Bali 4.5 has small - but numerous - hatches. This is better for safety (water ingress, fendering) and the recess in this part of the hull makes it possible to keep them open in harbor and at anchor, even in rainy weather. In the other hull, two cabins: the forward one being 1.40 m in width at the maximum. On the other hand, we were surprised by the narrowness of the passageway: only 42 cm wide at the door and even 36 at the deck, just before the companionway steps.  Everywhere, the quality of the materials and the finish, the precise adjustments of the woodwork is clear to see. Good work worthy of Catana, which easily withstands intensive use.

Conclusion

The Bali 4.5, in addition to being the first boat in a new range, opens a new concept: one of a catamaran for pleasure and which is uninhibited.  Innovative, with its hard forward cockpit and very large opening windows, it is easy to maintain, and retains indisputable sea-keeping qualities and remains easy to maneuver. It may have been designed primarily for charter, but has proved  to be an excellent platform for cruising, long-distance or otherwise, with the family... 

The points to check

Of course, looking at the ageing of models out of the yard less than four years ago is a bit daft: the Bali 4.5s are only just out of the box!  However, Catana has an excellent reputation for the strength of these catamarans. There’s no reason at all to think that Balis, built in the same buildings, are not just as carefully constructed.  There were some concerns about the very first examples - finishing details and Nanni engines, sometimes swapped out - with Catana taking responsibility.  In time, the point to watch could be - conditionally... the structure surrounding the large openings.

We liked

Good design on a technical level

Enjoyment and comfort on board

Unexpected performance for the program

 

We didn’t like

A few harsh corners inside

Restricted view of anchoring operations from on deck

Narrow passageway in the hulls with two cabins

Technical Specifications:

Hull length                                                    13.60 m

Waterline length                                           13 m

Beam                                                            7.42 m

Draft                                                             1.22 m

Weight                                                          11,600 kg

Upwind sail area                                          111 or 113 m²

Mainsail                                                        72 or 74 m²

Solent                                                           39 m²   

Gennaker/Spi                                               78/152 m²

Motors                                                          2 x 50 hp inboards

Fresh water                                                 800 l

Fuel                                                              800 l

Naval Architect                                            Xavier Faÿ and BE Catana

Builder                                                          Catana

Construction                                                Foam sandwich

Launch year                                                2014

Secondhand prices starting from € 370,000 ex-tax