Balance 526

Opportunity in the Caribbean – Balance 526 "Ohana 8"

Ohana 8 offers a rare chance to step aboard and sail off into the sunset on a highly sought-after Balance 526, already located in the Caribbean.

Launched in July 2020, Ohana 8 is distinguished by her bold red hull and meaningful name—Ohana, the Hawaiian word for “family.” 

Lightly used and presented in outstanding condition, Ohana 8 has very low engine hours (approx 360 hrs) and is offered for sale due to a change in the owner's health. She represents one of the best opportunities currently on the market for serious bluewater sailors seeking performance, comfort, and reliability.

Equipped with mini keels, Ohana 8 is perfectly configured for long-distance, bluewater voyaging. Her draft expands cruising grounds and allows access to skinny waters, while the absence of moving parts means minimal maintenance—ideal for owner-operators and families exploring off the beaten path.

The Balance 526 has earned global acclaim as the ultimate performance cruising catamaran for couples and families. Designed by Anton Du Toit and Phil Berman and meticulously crafted by Nexus Yachts in South Africa, the 526 is the result of an experienced and skilled team whose passion flows into every element of construction.

Renowned for its ease of short-handed sailing, thanks to the innovative VersaHelm, well-thought-out sail handling systems, and intuitive layout, the Balance 526 is a platform that delivers. From her smart design and top end material selection to her exceptional offshore seakeeping, this is a catamaran purpose-built for live-aboard adventure.

If you’ve been waiting for the right blue water cruiser to come along, Ohana 8 is a platform well worth considering—turn-key and ready for her next ocean passage.

Overview:

• Hull #8

• Mini Keels

• 3-Cabin Owner’s Version

• Single-spreader Sparcraft aluminium mast

• Harken winch package

• 2 x Yanmar 4JH57 with SD60 sail drives

• Northern Lights 5kW generator

• Ullman sail package

• House bank: 4 x 12V 220Ah Victron gel batteries (440Ah @ 24V)

• Victron Quattro 24/3000 inverter/charger

• Vitrifrigo DW180 drawer fridge & freezers

• Raymarine navigation package

From the designer Anton Du Toit's webpage:

The Balance 526 Catamaran is built by Nexus Yachts in St Francis.

The Balance 526 reaches top speeds of over 20 knots, fully laden, without being hard-pressed. She is designed to be strong and to able to stand up to very bad weather, but she is also light.

She is built using a combination of E-glass, carbon fibre, closed cell foam, composite bulkheads and the entire laminate structure is epoxy. She has fully retractable dagger boards and is designed for short-handed sailing in comfort and safety.

Her lines are elegant and gracious with a practical, comfortable yet luxurious, interior. The Balance 526 Catamaran interior carries more handmade cabinetry than any catamaran in her class, as well as a gourmet galley, open-plan cockpit/saloon and a large owner’s shower.