Bali 4.6 Review: Best in Class



5 minutes
00:09:39
00:09:39

Successor to the beloved Bali 4.5, the new 4.6 inherits more than the design. Soft, gentle exterior lines, modern feel and space that speaks of the yard’s desire to charm larger families and the charter industry

God of wind remained deaf to our prayers that day: throughout our sea trial, the waters of Kaštela Bay remained calm, and the 10-knots wind ultimately dissipated altogether. In the past few decades, the multi-hull market grew tenfold, and Bali have sailed along with that growth, climbing to the top of the segment in mere seven years.

Bali 4.6 layout

This is photo of a new Bali 4.6 side view
Catamaran Bali 4.6

On this latest model, like on many before her, it’s the space that counts the most. Bali 4.6 has a lounge on the bow, and garage doors whose opening turns the indoor lounge and the cockpit into one giant leisure space. The table and the adjacent L-shaped sofa seat ten, and another sofa seats four.

Catamaran with space enough for everybody

The unit we tested had five cabins and four heads, ideal for charter, (there is an owner’s version, with two cabins and a master that takes up the entire lower deck), and 95 sq.m. of space to boot – so make sure you call all your friends. On Bali 4.6, there’s space enough for everybody.
This is photo of a cabin

This is photo of a toilet
All cabins are furnished in fabrics and materials that create pure elegance

In the left hull, below deck there is a double cabin with Pullman beds, ideal for kids, a single, and the head they share, while in the right hull there are two spacious cabins and their respective heads. All cabins are clean and elegant in design, furnished and decorated in materials and fabrics that make prolonged stay at sea as comfortable as possible, instead of forcing luxury.

The aft cabin has a full-size bed, a private head, plenty of storage space, and portholes for daylight and fresh air. The lounge is functional above all, furnished with an additional navigator’s desk, and the galley is L-shaped, fully equipped and placed ideally to serve the bow and the lounge.

This is photo of a salon at Bali 4.6
Catamaran Bali 4.6 salon

In the galley, there’s more than enough storage space, both in the cabinets and in the floor compartment. The cooler is home-sized, which we’re sure will be appreciated – there never seems to be enough cooling space on any yacht. The lounge has sliding windows that open toward the aft and the bow, making it a very open space well connected with almost all other parts of the yacht.

For long cruises and relaxing times

Designed as a yacht for long cruises and relaxing times, Bali 4.6 is basically covered in sun beds, sofas and giant cushions, which somehow doesn’t stop the flow of foot traffic from the bow all the way to the aft.

This is photo of a interior Bali 4.6
The garage door allows connection of the lounge and the cockpit into one large living space

From the aft, stairs lead onto the fly bridge, so good every builder should take inspiration from it. Even while sitting, the skipper enjoys exemplary visibility in all directions, and while standing, they can manage all the maneuvers without any help from the aft. The command console on the fly deck is perfectly suitable for docking in harbors, as well.

Easy and simple

On the fly, there is a large table and sofa combo, and behind them, the most attractive sun bed aboard. On the same deck, solar panels are basically invisible, but serve their purpose providing up to 440 W.

This is photo of a sunpad
Bali 4.6 sunpad

Just like on all other models in the range, on Bali 4.6 everything is easy and simple. Raising the 120 sq.m. sails with only two pairs of hands is not only possible, but effortless, with the help of a electric winch. More ambitious sailors can add a Code Zero or a gennaker, just as easily deployed.

Bali 4.6 sailing and handling

On our sea trial, the Bali 4.6 reached 5 knots of top speed with 10 knots of wind, which for her length is quite decent. Still, the conditions were simply too unfavorable to test the unit properly. Powered by two 57-hp Yanmar engines, Bali 4.6 reached 6 knots of speed at 2000 rpm (ideal cruising speed), and at 2500 rpm speeds up to 8 knots. We found the deck safe and functional, with wide and well protected side passages, and were most delighted by the bow lounge, easily accessible from the interior.

This is photo of a catamaran Bali 4.6
Catamaran Bali 4.6

Once again Catana and CEO Olivier Poncin have created a modern multi-hull with plenty of appeal. Inspired by the popular Bali 4.5, the new Bali 4.6 charms with soft, gentle exterior lines, and modern feel and space that speaks of the yard’s desire to attract larger families and the catamaran charter industry.

Easy to handle, pleasant to stay on and boasting some unique designer choices, Bali 4.6 follows a check-list of features and functions an affordable cruising multi-hull should have.

Bali 4.6 specifications
LOA: 14,54 m
Beam: 7,66 m
Draft: 1,22 m
Light/max displacement: 13,6 t /19,8 t
Fuel capacity: 2 x 400 l
Water capacity: 2 x 400 l
Fridge+cooler capacity: 615 l
Sail surface: 160 m2
Engines: 2 x Yanmar 57 HP (option 2 x 45 HP)
Dealer: Croatia Yachting

Text Filip Bubalo

Photos Boris Kačan

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