← Browse all sailboats
55data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this BALANCE 451 buyer’s report
BALANCE 451

BALANCE 451

Balance CatamaransπŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦Β· Design: Roger Hill/Phillip Berman
from 2016
$2.2K – $5.8K est. annual maintenance
Catamaran / MultihullmultiFrac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)VariableTwin/Triple

Specifications

Hull

LOA44.64 ft
LWL42.31 ft
Beam23.33 ft
Draft6.89 ft/ 2.62 ft min
Displacement18,499 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL8.7 kn

About the BALANCE 451

UNDERWING CLEARANCE LIGHTSHIP 2ft 7in / 0.775m UNDERWING CLEARANCE FULL LOAD 2ft 4in / 0.705m MAXIMUM PAYLOAD 3,433 lbs / 1,557 kgs MAINSAIL DIMENSIONS: 706.5 ft2 / 65.63m2 SELF TENDING JIB DIMENSIONS: 260.7 ft2 / 24.22m2 SCREECHER DIMENSIONS: 711.6 ft2 / 66.1m2 SPINNAKER DIMENSIONS: 1,367 ft2 / 127m2

Sailpages Buyer's Take

The Balance 451 is a performance-oriented catamaran designed by Roger Hill and Phillip Berman, built by Balance Catamarans in 2016. With a displacement of 18499.0 lb and a beam of 23.33 ft, it combines light weight with significant width for stability.

Best for:
This vessel suits active cruisers and racers who prioritize speed and modern amenities, as evidenced by the high prevalence of solar panel installations (15 mentions) and watermaker upgrades (9 mentions) for self-sufficiency.
Bluewater capability:
With a low capsize ratio of 3.53 and a D/L ratio of 109.04, the boat is structurally capable of offshore passages, though owners frequently add bow thrusters (11 mentions) and robust anchoring systems like Quick anchors (38 mentions) for safety.
Comparables:
Comparable to other modern performance catamarans from the mid-2010s, such as the Lagoon 450 or Fountaine-Pajot Elba 45, due to its similar LOA of 44.64 ft and focus on fractional sloop rigs with rotating spars.

Performance

Comfort10.0
Capsize3.53
SA/Disp22.0
Disp/Len109

Pricing

We don't have market pricing data for the BALANCE 451 yet. If you own one, help other buyers β€” what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 44.64ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$2.2K – $5.8K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
Enter zip code
Pick a country or enter a US zip for local rates
Annual Insurance
N/A
No price data available

Articles & Reviews

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

6 reported issues across 5 systems for the BALANCE 451, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

3 critical1 major2 minor
Rudder2Deck1Rigging1Hull1Electrical1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a BALANCE 451? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for β€” so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.

  • βœ“ All 6 specific issues β€” severity, symptoms & fixes
  • βœ“ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor β€” yours to keep

One-time $2.99 Β· secure checkout by Stripe Β· instant access Β· 30 days online, PDF yours to keep

Similar Sailboats

Which engine powers your BALANCE 451?

We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us β€” as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.

Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Beta Marine, Kubota β€” is it one of these?

Already know your engine? Search all engines β†’ to find its exact parts.

Used sails that fit the BALANCE 451

Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…