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Balance 540vsOutremer 55

Compare specifications, dimensions and sources side by side.

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Key differences

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

The published figures don't set these boats far apart — the table below has the detail.

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
540 Banner

Balance Catamarans

Balance 540
Outremer Outremer 55

Outremer

Outremer 55
Overview
BrandBalance CatamaransOutremer
ModelBalance 540Outremer 55
GenerationUnknownUnknown
Hull typeSailing CatamaranSailing Catamaran
PropulsionSailSail
Production statusIn productionDiscontinued
Production start yearUnknownUnknown
Production end yearUnknownUnknown
DesignerPhillip Berman & Anton du ToitPatrick Le Quément
Dimensions
LOA54.5 ft54.9 ft
Hull lengthUnknownUnknown
Beam27.5 ft27.2 ft
Draft4.1 ft–10.4 ft4.5 ft–7.5 ft
Displacement29,762 lb30,644 lb
Accommodation
Cabins3–43–4
HeadsUnknownUnknown
BerthsUnknownUnknown
Performance & Rig
Main sail1,248 ft²1,119 ft²
JibUnknown517 ft²
Genoa695 ft²732 ft²
Upwind sail area1,928 ft²1,851 ft²
Downwind sail area2,693 ft²2,368 ft²
Engine power57 hp60 hp
Engine count22
Materials
Hull materialcarbon fiber / foam core epoxyUnknown
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 ftBalance 540: 54.5 ft × 27.5 ftOutremer 55: 54.9 ft × 27.2 ftOutremer 5554.9 ft × 27.2 ftBalance 54054.5 ft × 27.5 ft

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

From the side — height above and depth below the water
WaterlinePerson, 5.9 ftBalance 540: 81.4 ft / 10.4 ft81.4 ft10.4 ftBalance 540Outremer 55: 80.7 ft / 7.5 ft80.7 ft7.5 ftOutremer 55

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 540

    Fuel264 gal
    Water206 gal

  • Outremer 55

    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 540: 32.1▶Outremer 55: 30.2▶
  • Balance 54032.1· Racing
  • Outremer 5530.2· Racing
How it is worked out

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

Balance 540: published upwind sail area

Outremer 55: 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 540: 82
  • Balance 54082· Ultralight
  • Outremer 55not 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.