TRADEABOAT.COM.AU | 79
LOCAL REVIEW | BALI 5.4
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Island beds enjoy
natural light from the hull portholes; Catering to a corwd is
not problem in this well-equipped galley; Bathrooms fittings
are functional and easy to maintain.
The Catana Group
The Canet-en-Roussillon based yard’s reputation
as the French builder of performance cats took
a different tack with the introduction of the Bali
series in 2015. Since the company formation in
1984 its sleek performance-cruisers had defined it,
with models such as the Catana 47 being one of my
favourite all-time cats. The company’s long-term
designer Christophe Barreau has done some serious
adventuring in them as well as other sailors who’ve
circumnavigated.
Recent models come from the pens of Olivier
Poncin/Xavier Fay, who, along with Barreau have
created a range that comprises five models of
42-70 feet, while in their popular selling Bali range
are eight models ranging from the Bali 4.0 to the
Bali 5.4. The newest and just imported by dealer
Dream Yacht Sales into Australia is the 4.1 which
will debut at Sanctuary Cove and appear later at
Sydney. When visiting their modern yard near the
Spanish border, sales director Boris Compagnon
told me they build about 100 hulls annually and the
Bali range dominates these numbers, reflecting the
growth for comfortable cruising catamarans.“Owners won’t be
disappointed with
the huge household
fridge and
generous Corian
work surfaces
around the
U-shaped galley.”