Bali's Pioneering Powercat

The Bali 4.3 MY is the brand’s first powercat and an exciting addition to this growing sector, with the 42ft motor yacht offering large living spaces, impressive fuel economy and the option of two, three or four cabins.

- Kevin Green

Set to appear at April’s International Multihull Boat Show at La Grande Motte a year after its world premiere at the same show, the 4.3 MY is the first power model in the Bali range of cruising catamarans built by Catana in southwest France.

This 2019 model reflects the growing market for these spacious boats, as company design engineer Yann Chabaud explained.

“It was determined right from the start that Bali Catamarans would have a power model, but it took us a few years to develop the uniquely-designed sailing boats that form the heart of our range before we could enter the motor yacht sector.”

Catana’s reputation as the French builder of performance cats took a different tack with the introduction of the Bali series in 2015, which created a range that currently has eight models from the Bali 4.0 (39ft) to the flagship 5.4 (55ft) that impressed me during a recent delivery.

The range has quickly provided successful because it mimicked motorboat features – voluminous, usable space with innovative features such as movable bulkheads and multiple deck access points.

To then follow in the wakes of powercat market leaders Leopard from South Africa and prolific French competitor Fountaine Pajot was never going to be easy, but a natural evolution of the brand.

“Since our close competitors are making significant sales in this sector, we’d be wrong not to be interested in it,” Chabaud said.

The result: a flybridge cruiser with up to four ensuite cabins and lounge areas fore and aft, plus a vast upper deck. Creating this topside is the easier part of the equation while transforming a sailing hull shape into an effective motor cruiser is a trickier task.