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Balance 502vsOutremer 52

Outremer 52 is 1.6 ft longer than Balance 502 (3%).

Anyone with the link sees this comparison.

Key differences

Worked out from the published figures below — arithmetic, not opinion.

At a glance

Dark icons are the standard layout; faded ones are what the larger layout adds.

Length : beam is length divided by beam — the higher it is, the slimmer the hull. Multihulls read low by nature.

A figure marked with a quote mark was read from the builder's page. Open it for the exact line, the page and the date.

Model
Balance 502 Interior 4

Balance Catamarans

Balance 502
Exterior photo

Outremer

Outremer 52
Overview
BrandBalance CatamaransOutremer
ModelBalance 502Outremer 52
GenerationUnknownUnknown
Hull typeSailing CatamaranSailing Catamaran
PropulsionSailSail
Production statusIn productionIn production
Production start yearUnknownUnknown
Production end yearUnknownUnknown
DesignerPhillip Berman & Anton du ToitPatrick Le Quément
Dimensions
LOA50 ft51.6 ft
Hull lengthUnknownUnknown
Beam25.9 ft25.9 ft
Draft3.8 ft–7.4 ft3.5 ft–7.5 ft
Displacement26,015 lb26,896 lb
Accommodation
Cabins3–43–4
HeadsUnknownUnknown
BerthsUnknownUnknown
Performance & Rig
Main sail1,029 ft²1,033 ft²
Jib423 ft²431 ft²
GenoaUnknown646 ft²
Upwind sail area1,539 ft²1,464 ft²
Downwind sail area2,345 ft²2,250 ft²
Engine power45 hp50 hp
Engine count22
Materials
Hull materialE-glass carbon-fiber-reinforced vinylester foam-coreUnknown
Deck materialUnknownUnknown
Mast materialUnknownUnknown
Keel typeUnknownUnknown
Rudder typeUnknownUnknown
Sources

13 of 13 figures here carry the builder's own words

12 of 13 figures here carry the builder's own words

Size, to scale

Each boat's published length and beam seen from above, and its mast height and draft from the side, all drawn on one scale.

From above — length × beam
0 ft10 ft20 ft30 ft40 ft50 ftOutremer 52: 51.6 ft × 25.9 ftBalance 502: 50 ft × 25.9 ftOutremer 5251.6 ft × 25.9 ftBalance 50250 ft × 25.9 ft

Outlines are schematic; the dimensions are the builder's.

From the side — height above and depth below the water
WaterlinePerson, 5.9 ftBalance 502: 73.5 ft / 7.4 ft73.5 ft7.4 ftBalance 502Outremer 52: 75.6 ft / 7.5 ft75.6 ft7.5 ftOutremer 52

Speed, power & tanks

What the builders publish about how fast, how strong and how far — each figure on one scale for every boat.

Tanks

One scale per liquid across every boat: a tank twice the height holds twice as much.

  • Balance 502

    Fuel211 gal
    Water206 gal

  • Outremer 52

    Fuelnot published
    Waternot published

How they sail, in numbers

Classic yacht-design ratios worked out from each builder's published figures. They compare boats; they don't grade them.

Sail area / displacement

How much sail the boat carries for its weight — its power in light air.

ModestCruiserPerformanceRacing162024Balance 502: 28.1Outremer 52: 26.1
  • Balance 50228.1· Racing
  • Outremer 5226.1· Racing
How it is worked out

sail area (ft²) ÷ (displacement as ft³ of seawater)^⅔

Balance 502: published upwind sail area

Outremer 52: published upwind sail area

Displacement / length

How heavy the boat is for its waterline length. Lower is lighter and quicker; higher is steadier and roomier.

UltralightLightModerateHeavyVery heavy100180270350Balance 502: 93
  • Balance 50293· Ultralight
  • Outremer 52not published: waterline length
How it is worked out

displacement (long tons) ÷ (0.01 × waterline length in ft)³

Most builders publish a light displacement. The ratios were defined on a loaded boat, so every boat here reads a little lighter than a surveyor's figure would — all alike, which keeps them comparable.

Worth adding to this comparison

The boats most like the ones above, by hull form, size and use.