Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle

Bali 4.1 catamaran

DESIGNER:
Xavier Fay/Last Design Studio (interior)
Words by John Eichelsheim, Photos by Will Calver
Written
Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked
OVERALL RATING
We gave the
an OVERALL RATING of
4
out of 5 stars
PERFORMANCE
80
%
HANDLING
82
%
ECONOMY
85
%
SPECIFICATION
82
%
BUILD QUALITY
82
%
VALUE
85
%
  MODEL DETAILS
DESIGNER
Xavier Fay/Last Design Studio (interior)
BUILDER
Bali Catamarans
PRICE AT TESTING
POA. Packages from $935,000
  SPECS
LENGTH OVER ALL (M)
12.12
LENGTH (M)
11.88
BEAM (M)
6.72
DRAFT (M)
1.12
DISPLACEMENT (KG)
8900
FUEL CAPACITY (L)
400
WATER CAPACITY (L)
800
  DETAILS
ENGINE
2 x 40hp Yanmars with saildrives
FUEL (L)
400
MAST & RIGGING
Aluminium and SS
SAIL AREA
105.4
CONSTRUCTION
Fibreglass (GRP)

The Bali catamaran range caused a bit of a stir when it was launched onto the market five years ago, with French manufacturer Catana turning its attention from performance cats to taking on the cruising market – in the process introducing some innovative and controversial design ideas. And now the first Bali cat has arrived here – the 12.1m Bali 4.1 – the baby of the range and a development of the original Bali 4.0 model.
The New Zealand agent for the Bali range is Dream Yacht Charter in Queensland, Australia, run by Frenchman Christophe Vanek, a former international yachtie who first came to Australia in 1986 with one of the French challengers for the Louis Vuitton Cup.
I meet Christophe and his wife Amara at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, where boats are being released following the On Water Boat Show. Dream Yacht Charter operates a fleet of these cats in the Whitsundays, but the boat we’re on today is privately-owned and lives at Pine Harbour Marina, east of Auckland, where we are to deliver her today.


Waiting for clearance to leave the marina gives us plenty of time to look around the boat and check out its features – the most eye-catching of which is the fact that the saloon’s entire aft bulkhead hinges up like a garage door, creating the ultimate in indoor-outdoor flow.
There’s a traditional sliding door between cockpit and cabin when the rear ‘wall’ is down, but when you’re at anchor and the weather’s right, up it goes and suddenly the interior feels twice as big. This innovative feature was initially greeted with some scepticism in the industry but has since proven to be both popular and safe. With the back door up and the saloon’s front and side windows open you are virtually living outside, yet well-protected from the sun.
“A lot of people today are sensitive about exposure to the sun, so here they can stay inside the boat, protected but in something that is completely open,” Vanek says. “Then, if the weather is bad they can just shut the whole thing down, but still have great views.”
The ‘garage door’ is easy to open, sliding up and down without much effort, secured by hydraulic struts, and has a watertight seal along the bottom edge when closed for safe passage-making.
The second aspect which makes the Bali range different to traditional sailing cats is forward of the cabin. Instead of the traditional trampoline and cross-bracing between the hulls, it has a solid wingdeck, more like a powercat. This creates a second cockpit entertaining area, handy to the galley.
“Having a trampoline isn’t really necessary anymore because the hulls are so high above the waterline,” says Vanek. The solid deck has also been designed to be lightweight, using box-section construction to avoid the boat becoming bow-heavy and unbalanced.


The cat has high topsides, allowing for generous wingdeck clearance and creating plenty of space in the hulls’ accommodation areas, but a curved sheerline visually minimises their height. The hulls feature a pronounced chine running almost the full length, with a performance-oriented shape below the waterline retaining the Catana pedigree.
The owner of this particular boat is relatively new to sailing, and is more accustomed to a powerboat experience. The Bali, with its easy handling systems and generous interior space, won’t be too much of a challenge, while adding the extra dimension of peacefulness that only cruising under sail can bring.
“Ninety per cent of the time when cruising you are at anchor, so that was the lifestyle he wanted,” Vanek says. “He was looking for a boat that had good performance but also with large entertainment areas.”
The Bali 4.1 provides three of these: the cockpit/saloon combo, the forward cockpit and a lounging area on the cabintop, adjacent to the upper helm station, up a few stairs from the side deck on the starboard side. “It’s great when you have a group of six or eight, because everyone can have a corner,” Vanek says.
Coffee and chatting over, we finally we get the nod to leave the Viaduct. The Bali proves highly manoeuvrable with her twin 40hp Yanmar diesels (with saildrives). They’re spaced well apart at the rear of the twin hulls – she virtually spins within her own length. There’s also great all-round visibility from the cabintop helm station.
Out on the harbour, pulling the mainsail up is an easy task thanks to a foot-operated Lewmar electric winch adjacent to the upper helm station. The small square-top main hoists tidily from a stack-pack on the high boom, which allows plenty of head clearance. The mainsheet runs aft to a traveller at the back of the cabintop, then forward again to the powered winch for trimming.
A self-tacking jib can also be unfurled and trimmed from here, using a non-powered winch to starboard of the helm. If you want more sail, there is an optional gennaker and code 0, to be flown off a fixed bowsprit. All the halyards and control lines are within easy reach of the helm, great for single-handed sailing.


There’s a large Raymarine chartplotter screen at the helm station, as well as the throttle controls, wind and engine instruments and a handheld VHF. A bimini can be added to this area for extra sun protection.
The boat’s designed to sail at about 12 knots downwind and 7.5–8 knots upwind, though we aren’t blessed with much wind for our trial. On a fine summer’s day this upstairs helm area would be a great place to sit and enjoy the view, but it’s still a bit chilly so we leave Vanek in charge and head down below to check out the interior comforts.

Interior
It’s very light and bright with pale upholstery, white benchtops and timber-look flooring, tabletops and door fronts, offset with bright stainless fiddles. The view is pretty much 360 degrees, through large windows on each side. There’s a large L-shaped seating area around the table to port, with a settee to starboard. The domestic-sized fridge-freezer is powered through an inverter, the batteries topped up by solar panels.


Running across the forward bulkhead on the port side, the galley opens straight onto the foredeck entertaining area via a large sliding section of the windscreen, so food and other items can easily be passed through. There’s also a double sink, under-bench oven and a three-burner gas hob.
The downstairs helm station is to port, with a cute ‘bar stool’ style helm-seat – another of the little touches which gives this boat a distinctly European feel. At first glance this helm station also appears to be missing something – a helm. Down here it’s autopilot only. There’s a VHF, a second, smaller Raymarine chartplotter screen and a single instrument display.


Down in the starboard hull are two double cabins, fore and aft, with a head and shower between. There’s plenty of headroom, and lots of light from through-hull windows. The big – and pleasant – surprise comes on the port side where the entire hull is a kind of master stateroom: a large double bed aft, a seat and bench-style dressing table with a fold-up mirror and a full head and shower room forward.
The lack of a bulkhead closing off the sleeping area makes this cabin feel incredibly spacious. Private spaces on both sides can be closed off from the galley and saloon by sliding doors at the bottom of the stairs leading down to them.


Heading out the back of the saloon is the rear cockpit, which on its own isn’t huge (this space is a different story when the ‘garage door’ is open, however). There’s a bench seat across the transom with storage underneath, and walk-throughs to boarding platforms on both sides. A dinghy can be raised on a davit across the transom when not in use, then lowered into the water using lines running to the electric winch.

Beyond Motuihe, the wind is not in our favour, so we furl and stack the sails (again, a simple operation) and all head below. Motoring, we engage the autopilot and Vanek says this is the way most owners will use the boat – sailing when conditions are perfect, motoring when it’s not.
We’re doing a comfortable 7.5–8 knots into the wind and a slight chop. The ride’s flat and smooth, even when we encounter waves or wakes. Vanek says what most people want is a boat that is nice and flat when passage-making, and that doesn’t roll when anchored. A powercat or launch would do the job, but if you want to take your time – and not spend too much money on fuel – this ‘entertainment platform’ is the solution.
The cruising cat innovations introduced by Catana – especially that garage door – have really raised the bar in terms of maximising space and enjoyment of the outdoors, and still offer the peace and satisfaction of harnessing wind power to get about.
We’ve enjoyed our delivery down to Pine Harbour, but by the end of the trip Christophe and Amara have decided that the only way to truly check out the Bali 4.1 is by taking the family cruising in the Whitsundays.
We couldn’t agree more – so watch this space next year!

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

International SailGP teams pus...

The international teams at the Sydney SailGP event brought the heat, naviga...
NewsNewsRun-up to Sydney

White Pointer boats celebrates...

To honour its impressive 30th Anniversary milestone, White Pointer Boats ho...
Anniversaries & MilestoneEvents & GatheringsFishing

NZ Antique & Classic Boat...

The stunning alpine backdrop, the beauty of vintage boats, and a uniquely c...
News

Close calls, a capsize and a c...

Tension rises as Sydney’s practice races set the stage for intense competit...
Run-up to SydneySailGP

New Zealand’s SailGP Cha...

The Black Foils faced a tough outing in Auckland, struggling to find their ...
Run-up to SydneySailGP

Historic boat sinks in D’Entre...

A rare and historic vessel has been lost in Tasmania’s D’Entrecasteaux Chan...
Australian Wooden Boats FestivalBoating Festivals & EventsGlobal Coastguard Updates
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

-- THINGS WE LOVE --

GET
STARLINK
HERE

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga

ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 8 & 9 Feb 2025 in Sydney

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2025 starts in Sydney, Australia

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, end of Jan 2026 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

HYDRO THUNDER

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Karapiro, 7 - 9 Feb 2025 at Karapiro

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Rotoiti, 8 - 9 Mar 2025 at Nelson Lakes

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Twizel, 29 - 30 Mar 2025 at Twizel

JET BOAT RACING

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R4, 23 Feb 2025 at Wanganui

2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS

25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

SHOWS

Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

METSTRADE 18 - 20 Nov 2025 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2025 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Boot Düsseldorf 17 - 25 Jan 2026 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, Jan 2026 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, Jan - Feb 2026 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco