Boat & Sail

Builder · Mid · Canet-en-Roussillon, France

Bali

French cruising catamaran builder, 2014-founded. Owned by Catana Group. Hard-bridge-deck cruising cats with the open-cockpit layout.

Bali cruising catamaran at sail
Founded
2014
Headquarters
Canet-en-Roussillon, France
Ownership
Catana Group (publicly traded)
Tier
Mid
Website
bali-catamarans.com

Bali is the cruising-catamaran builder under Catana Group, founded in 2014. The brand has grown quickly into one of the volume European cruising-cat builders. Production stays in southern France.

The brand argument is the hard-bridge-deck-and-open-cockpit layout. Bali cats use a hard structural bridge deck (no soft trampoline) with an open cockpit-to-saloon transition that gives a different aesthetic and use case from Lagoon or Fountaine-Pajot.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Bali Bali 4.0 / 4.4 / 4.6 / 4.8 / 5.4 / Catspace

The Bali line is the volume cruising-cat range. Twin Yanmar or Volvo saildrive, hard bridge deck, open cockpit-to-saloon transition.

Things we like

  • · Hard bridge deck gives more usable forward deck space than soft-trampoline cats
  • · Open cockpit-to-saloon transition is the brand signature

Things we don't

  • · Hard bridge deck adds weight versus soft-trampoline cats
  • · Aesthetic preference is divisive; some buyers prefer the traditional cat layout

Buyer's guide

The Bali story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Bali was founded in 2014 by Olivier Poncin under Catana Group. The brand grew quickly through the late 2010s as the hard-bridge-deck cat layout found buyers.

Catana Group is publicly traded. Production has stayed at the southern France facility.

Design philosophy

Bali catamarans use hard structural bridge deck (no soft trampoline) and open cockpit-to-saloon transition. The hull form is moderate-displacement, similar to Lagoon and Fountaine-Pajot.

Yanmar and Volvo saildrive are the standard rigging.

Used-market notes and known issues

Yanmar / Volvo saildrive seal pattern on 2017 to 2020 hulls warrants inspection.

Hard bridge deck adds weight, charter-fleet placement runs slightly slower than Lagoon equivalents.

Catana parts pipeline supports nationwide service in Europe.

Dealer network concentrated in Europe and Mediterranean.

Resale

Bali holds resale at the European cruising-cat mid-tier average. Three-year depreciation runs 16 to 22 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 26 to 32 percent.

Where Bali fits

Buyers cross-shop Bali against Lagoon, Fountaine-Pajot, and Leopard. The argument is the hard-bridge-deck layout and the open cockpit-to-saloon aesthetic.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Why hard bridge deck?
More usable forward deck space (the trampoline area becomes a hard sun-pad and walking surface). Open cockpit-to-saloon transition gives different entertaining-space layout. Trade is added weight versus soft-trampoline cats.
What's the maintenance cost on a Bali 4.6?
Annual service on twin Yanmar saildrives runs $3,500 to $5,500. Bottom paint $1,500 to $3,000. Sail service $1,500 to $3,000. Storage $3,000 to $8,000. Insurance for a $700K hull runs $4,500 to $7,500.
Where are Balis built?
Canet-en-Roussillon, France. Catana Group facility.

Compare

Categories Bali fits.

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