Bali 4.3

The “open space” cat!

First seen with the Nautitech Open 40 followed by the Bali 4.5, the idea of blending the nacelle and the cockpit into a single, and therefore enormous, volume has been implemented 100% aboard the Bali 4.3. What’s new is that the aft part of the coachroof pivots upwards and is housed under the roof itself. A new concept which is set to revolutionize cruising…

The sleek rig set further aft allows for a good sail area despite the use of a self-tacking jib. But we would strongly advise getting a Code 0 for a boost in light airs.

No daggerboards on the Balis but rather the traditional fixed keels. A good compromise between performance, cost, robustness and protection of the rudders and propellers.

How do you combine hull volume with reduced waterline beam? You make one step on the outside, and another on the inside…

The raised helm station offers a clear view over the water. From here, all sail handling is also done.

The folding aft platform is a real bonus: neat stowage for the dinghy, and when opened up at anchor, it offers an area entirely open to the sea.

No, you’re not dreaming - you really are on a 43 footer. The combined salon/cockpit area gives an astonishing amount of space.

The galley is at the forward end of the salon. An original and agreeable position, especially thanks to the ventilation offered by the forward opening panel.

The forward opening panel gives easy communication with the forward cockpit, while offering excellent ventilation.

The L-shaped chart table, facing forward. Just the right spot for night watches.

1 / 6

Practical info

Builder : Bali Catamarans
Technical specifications
Finance your Bali 4.3
Available in issue # 145

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Add several tests to your cart

and get an extra discount!

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

New concept, new range…

Seeking to join the wider market in the cruising catamaran sector - a market shared by big yards such as Lagoon, Leopard and Fountaine-Pajot - in 2014 the Catana Group launched their new range, christened Bali. Following the 4.5 and just ahead of the 4.0, we have the 4.3… whose development took a little longer than planned, due to the time spent adapting this model to its power version, the MY 43. Left behind are the Catana specifications: on the Bali you won’t find carbon at every stage of the build, nor load-carrying daggerboards. But the upshot is that you’ll find a price range similar to that of their “mass-producing” competitors. On the construction side, the yard has gone for molds in three sections, with a join in the bottom of the hull, interior half-hulls and the nacelle, for greater rigidity. All of this has been realized in PVC foam sandwich and polyester resin, not forgetting the special anti-osmosis gelcoat. The deck bracing is in plywood and monolithic resin and the bulkheads are in glued or laminated plywood. In short, nice work, simple and robust, though not the lightest. Far from mimicking existing examples, Bali has gone a lot further, ...

To read in full, purchase the test