Preloved: Bali Catana 43 Catamaran
USED BALI CATANA 4.3
A personal cruiser on the proverbial weekend and a sought-after charter when metaphorical Monday comes: this is what’s on the table from Airlie Beach’s Dream Charter Brokers.
Catana’s reputation as the French builder of performance cats took a different tack in 2015 with the introduction of the Bali series of unashamedly-luxurious cruisers. Stepping aboard the very first new Bali 4.3 in France gave me a unique experience: something clearly aimed at motor boaters as well as sailing enthusiasts. Top of the unique list was the electric saloon bulkhead that creates a weatherproof room on the aft deck, but at the click of a button opens to allow al fresco dining below the sheltered flybridge extension. Additional floor space is also created by the fold-down transom, which creates a large single level right through to the saloon. Sailing enthusiasts may rightly frown at the high boom and rig setup on the tall flybridge. but this boat was clearly a hybrid that would go on to have wide appeal, including the charter market where Dream Yacht Australia has placed several in their Whitsunday fleet.
WHITSUNDAY FLOATING APARTMENT
The Bali 4.3 was designed from the inside out to prioritise living space, making it ideal as a home-from-home for those escapes from our southern winter. The Perpignan-based builder gave designer Xavier Faÿ the remit to maximise the living space while being mindful of sailing performance. Inside, the Hervé Couedel-designed saloon is intended for live-aboards as well as weekending. Volume and light are the striking things you appreciate in the saloon, which is another crowning feature thanks to the open-plan layout with galley forward and inside–outside dinette created by that moveable bulkhead.
The tall self-standing double fridge (402L) confirms the apartment-on-the-water feel, while the navigation station is on the forward starboard quarter. Here, the long front window cleverly slides down so that those sitting at the foredeck lounge can be served from the galley.
Below decks are four double cabins all with ensuites, and there’s even space in each bow for a small berth; some sailors use this as a pantry. The main berths have opening windows and the aft ones include windows overlooking the cockpit — so ideal for the attentive skipper. Another plus is plenty of headroom around large double beds.
Deck space is maximised everywhere on the Bali, most prominently the flybridge and its centralised steering console, which is surrounded by a sunpad space aft thanks to the mainsheet being outboard of the boom. This even leaves enough room for solar panels. Sail controls are neatly organised and halyard runs are short thanks to the mast foot being near the Antal XT44 winches. The triple helm seat means steering will never be a lonely experience, but the simple sailplan of self-tacking jib and small slab-reefed mainsail suits short-handers as well. For the hulls, Catana’s signature tall and slim shape continues, while mini keels aid windward performance — no wonder the Bali 4.3 is such a compelling proposition for personal use and charters alike.
QUCIK SPECS
Year 2015
Location Airlie Beach, QLD
Price $750,000 ex GST
LOA 13.1m
Beam 7.12m
Draft 1.2m
Displacement (light) 11.3t
Sail Area Mainsail 52 m², Solent 37.5 m²
Water 800L
Fuel 800L
Engines 2 x Nanni 50 HP saildrives
Concept and Design Olivier Poncin/Xavier FAŸ
Interior Design Hervé Coudel
INTERESTED?
The deal is to buy the boat outright with a five-year charter contract to maintain Rinaldo in Commercial Survey 4D in the Whitsundays. The income split is 65% to the owner and 35% to Dream Yacht Charter. The owner pays for all running costs including maintenance, insurance and berthing. Sailing time for the owner is 28 weeks per year. Ideally, talk to your accountant first to check out the tax situation and get a full marine survey.
The full review featured in issue #507 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest boat news, reviews and travel inspiration.