Dragonfly

Manufacturer

Balance Catamaran
Builder

Nexus
Year Built

2018
Length

52 ft
Price

$1,400,000

56° 12’ 37” N, 14° 13’ 46” E

Ultimate Blue Water Cruising

Gallery

23° 54’ 37” N, 17° 10’ 46” E

Owner Operater Blue Water Performance

Balance 526 Dragonfly

The 526 and Balance range is known for being the ultimate performance blue-water, owner-operated platform for cruisers. The outstanding build quality, ease of operation, impressive performance, and exceptional seakeeping capabilities have led to a high demand and a long waiting list for this model range.

Dragonfly is hull #4 of the renowned Balance 526 series, and immerse yourself in a world where unmatched bluewater performance meets luxurious living.
As the owner advances to complete his new Balance 580, this is the perfect opportunity to purchase the elite of performance multihulls and the pinnacle
of South African built catamarans.

PRICE

$1,400,000
CURRENT LOCATION

Virginia US
BUILDER

Nexus Marine, South Africa
MODEL

Balance 526
HULL NUMBER

#4
LAUNCHED

2018
FLAG

Ottawa, Canada
Construction

CE Caregory A
NAVAL ARCHITECT

Anton du Toit & Phil Burman
INTERIOR DESIGNER:

Anton du Toit
HULL COLOR

Grey
SUPERSTRUCTURE COLOR

White
LENGTH

16.0m (52.50 ft)
BEAM

8.28m (27.17 ft)
DISPLACEMENT

12,500 Kg (27,565 lbs)
SPAR/MANUFACTURER

21.3m Sparcraft Aluminium Mast
SAIL WARDROBE

Ulman Sails
DRAFT MAX

1.37 m (4.5 ft ")
DRAFT MIN
ENGINE

Diesel Yanmar 4JH57

56° 12’ 37” N, 14° 13’ 46” E

Discover Yacht
specifications°

Full Details

CONSTRUCTION

LAYOUT

AFT COCKPIT

Large aft cockpit customised for family & entertaining
SALOON

Open saloon with galley to port, U-shaped sofa with seating facing aft with an opening table that converts into a coffee table & bed. Fridges on the aft bulkhead with a prep station outboard. Clean, modern salon with 360-degree visibility, good ventilation and comfortable seating areas.
STARBOARD OWNERS HULL

Master cabin with storage cabinets throughout
Queen plus berth with large shower and head aft
Storage throughout with the AC/DC electrical panel inboard midships
PORT HULL FORWARD

Large VIP cabin with queen plus berth & storage throughout and access to the bow locker
PORT HULL AFT

Double cabin with good light, ventilation & storage
PORT MIDSHIPS HEAD

Electric Planus head, with sink, portlight and cupboards
PORT MIDSHIPS SHOWER

Shower inboard with escape hatch
TRAMPOLINE

Port and starboard watertight bow storage with access through the starboard master cabin and deck only on the port side
TOY STORAGE

Port and starboard bow storage with deck access.

SLEEPING

INTERIOR CABINTARY AND JOINERY

EXTERIOR PAINT

Soft Fabrics

APPENDAGES & BEARINGS

SAILS

STANDING RIGGING

RUNNING RIGGING

SPARS

MAST

Sparcraft single spreader aluminium mast (natural finish)
Antal mast track and car system
(3) reef points
(1) aft facing integral aluminium step
(2) down facing spreader lights
Navigation lights
(1) deck floodlight
(1) Raymarine radar with protection guards
(1) Antal 32.130 J2 tensioner car with lock system
(1) Raymarine wind MHU
(1) wind indicator
(3) sheaves for:

* jib sheet
* boom topping lift
* main halyard
Integrated mast turning blocks
(2) Harken 75 Black Magic floating blocks for mainsheet
MAST JAMMER

XXO812 Spinlock jammers (port)
Staysail halyard
Screecher halyard
Spinnaker halyard
BOOM

Aluminium boom with aluminium hayrack
(3) clew reef points
(1) lashed outhaul to padeye
Lazy jacks (Spinlock jammer at mast base)
Cradle system and custom sail bag with oversized zipper
(4) Harken 75 Black Magic blocks
(2) Harken 100 Black Magic blocks with covered loops
(2) reef nappies
LONGERON

Aluminium longeron and crossbeam
Stainless wire martingale
(2) XX0812 Spinlock tack line jammers
ROCNA 33 with 50m of rode and 50m of short link DIN766 G40 10mm galvanised anchor chain

Deck Gear & Layout

HELM & COCKPIT

(3) HARKEN 50 two speed electric winches
50 #1 jib sheet & reefs
50 #2 main halyard and mainsheets
50 #3 jib sheet & reefs
(6) Harken winch buttons at your feet
(3) Spinlock turning block organisers
(7) Spinlock XX0812 clutches
Jib sheet
Boom topping lift
Main halyard
STB main sheet
Reef down line/Cunningham
1st reef
2nd reef
3rd reef
Port main sheet
(1) Helm seat with cushion
(2) Integrated cup holders & grab handle
Footrest
Dyneema safety strop with stainless Wichard clip to padeye
(1) Canvas sun protection bimini
(1) Raymarine Axiom 12 multi-functional display
(1) Dual Morse throttle control
(1) Maxwell AA570 anchor control display & chain counter
AFT BEAM

(2) Dinghy davits
(2) Fairleads
Integrated turning sheaves for 2:1 up/down lines
(2) Dinghy davit Spinlock XAS clutches
(2) Harken footblocks (090) leading to oversized ferrule
(2) Harken 648 17-4 mainsheet padeyes
(1) Centerline 648 17-4 mainsheet bridle transfer padeye
Custom carbon chafe pads with clearcoat finish
AFT COCKPIT

The triple-person 'love seat' is positioned on the centerline, facing forward, and features large storage underneath. On the starboard side of the seat, there is a fish preparation and cleaning station equipped with a Whale faucet. To the port side, looking forward, you’ll find an outdoor adjustable table with dual 1/4 leaves, providing seating for up to 8 people. This table can also be lowered into a daybed. On the port side of the seating area, looking outboard, there's a long daybed that offers access to the side decks. On the starboard side of the cockpit, there is a double seat that faces aft and has storage underneath. Facing forward from this seat is the inboard helm, allowing for comfortable steering in the ‘Versa Down’ position. From the lower helm seat you can access the engine controls, (3) Raymarine displays, bilge alarms, battery parallel switch, engine battery voltage, (2) Yanmar engine control panels. There is storage in the cockpit roof for inflated paddleboards and fishing rods.
Outdoor lights
(2) Board holders in the roof with tiedowns
(3) Wrap around dropdown shade and clears
(2) 7.7" speakers
(2) Harken size 46 winches for:
– Dinghy lift
– J2 furl
– Spinnaker and Zero sheets
Aft cockpit SeaDek in cappuccino
(1) Outdoor transom shower
(1) Fold away swim ladder with sockets for starboard transom
Salt water deck wash located on transom
DECK

(11) Alloy 330mm mooring cleats
(6) Lewmar aluminium deck hatches
(8) Harken padeyes
(4) Daggerboard up/down fairleads
(4) Wichard folding padeyes
(2) Maxwell anchor windlass winch buttons
(2) Diesel deck fills
(1) Water deck fill
(1) Waste removal aft transom
(1) Harken 46 two speed mast base halyard & furling winch
(6) Aluminium stanchions with Dyneema double line guard rail

Steering

Interior

SALOON

Clean, modern salon with 360-degree visibility.
The salon features:
– Galley to port
– Prep area with fridges to starboard
– Dining/lounge area forward to starboard
– Custom spice rack with three adjustable shelves
– Custom glassware cupboard in the galley
– U-shaped settee with dining table seating up to six people

The saloon table has three configurations:
– Dining mode with leaves open
– Coffee table mode with leaves closed
– Spare berth with table lowered and extended

Additional features include:
– Dimmable overhead LED spotlights
– Sliding aft door opening to the cockpit
– Two Lewmar hatches for forward ventilation
– Two Lewmar opening hatches in the headliner
– Storage space beneath seat cushions
– Frigomar 16,000 BTU air conditioning system (handlers under seating)
– Oceanair blinds throughout
– Multiple electrical outlets
– Two Fusion 8.8" speakers
– Three white Caframo fans
GALLEY

The U-shaped galley, located on the port side of the salon, offers excellent visibility and ventilation.

Aft-facing features:
– Corian white countertops
– SMEG 220V four-burner induction cooktop with silicone mats
– Whirlpool W7MW461 40L microwave oven
– Stainless steel sink
– Sweet water faucet
– Custom glassware storage
– Undercounter cupboards

Island storage:
– 3 drawers
– 2 cupboards

Custom storage box at port aft window includes:
– Spice rack
– Condiment storage
– Countertop appliances: toaster, kettle, coffee machine, blender, air fryer, etc.
– (1) Caframo fan

Forward of the galley is a forward-facing navigation desk area featuring:
– Integrel display
– Victron display
– Fusion Apollo RA770 stereo control
– Raymarine 63 VHF with microphone
– ASUS PC screen
– (1) Double electrical outlet
– Frigomar air conditioning saloon control
– (1) Navigation reading light
– (1) Sliding drawer
– (1) Deep cupboard
– (1) Custom ottoman chair/stool with built-in storage
– (12) Switches for lights and bilge pumps
– (2) Spare blank switches
PORT FWD COUNTERTOP:

Large white Corian countertop facing aft, featuring:
– (2) Vitrifrigo DRW180A double-drawer fridge/freezers
– (1) Inboard light switch
– (1) Inboard double electrical socket
– (1) Samsung 40" color TV on swivel wall mount, viewable from both the saloon and aft cockpit
STB MASTER CABIN

Owner’s hull located on the starboard side of the vessel, featuring:
– Queen+ berth
– 150mm (6") thick mattresses with bamboo covers and custom plush Perennials fabric headboards
– (2) Electrical sockets with USB ports
– Light switch
– Air conditioning digital control panel
– (2) Caframo Sirocco fans (white)
– (4) Drawers at the foot of the bed
– Air conditioning handler located beneath the bed
– Full hanging cupboard on the outboard side
– White pleated shades over hull windows
– (2) Opening hull portlights
– (2) Full hanging lockers
STARBOARD FOREPEAK

Access from deck hatch and cabin through large opening door
Size 70 Lewmar medium profile deck hatch
Access steps
(1) LED light (red/white)
Line hanging rail
STARBOARD MASTER HEAD

Full shower
Painted composite module
Frosted Lexan panel for separation with Lexan door
Shower drainage leading to Whale Gulper and grey box
Handheld shower with hot/cold mixer
Inboard locker with black tank housing and valves
Oval basin and mirror above countertop
Roller blinds over aft-facing hull portlights and windows
(2) drawers
(2) cupboards
Mirror
Towel rail
Towel ring
(2) electrical sockets in the vanity
Planus 24V head
PORT FORWARD VIP CABIN

Queen+ berth
Mattresses 150mm (6") thick with bamboo covers and headboards with custom plush upgraded perennial fabric
(2) electrical sockets with USB
Light switch
Air conditioning digital panel
(2) Carafarmo Sirocco fans (white)
(4) drawers at the foot of the bed
Air conditioning handler underneath bed
White pleated shades over hull windows
(2) opening hull portlights
PORT FOREPEAK

Access from deck hatch
Size 70 Lewmar medium profile deck hatch
Access steps
(1) LED light (red/white)
Line hanging rail
PORT AFT GUEST CABIN

Queen plus-sized bed (option to convert into two singles)
Split mattress with removable divider
Large storage space below bed (designed to fit two bicycles)
Outboard port large storage cupboard with shelving
Electrical socket with USB
(3) inboard storage lockers
(2) Carafarmo Sirocco fans (white)
(2) white pleated Oceanair blinds
PORT GUEST SHOWER

Shower compartment forward of daggerboard trunk
Forward-opening door
White Corian countertops with molded basin
Storage locker underneath basin
Hansgrohe mixer tap
Mirror above countertop
Adjustable shower rail with hand shower
Towel rail
White roller blind over windows
PORT GUEST/DAY HEAD

Planus 24V head
White Corian countertops
Molded-in basin
Storage cupboard
Towel rail
Electrical socket
White roller blind over hull window

Capacities

Systems

PROPULSION

Primary engines: located aft with two large opening Lewmar access hatches with SeaDek covers
(2) Yanmar 4JH45 water-cooled 4-cylinder diesel engines
Port engine hours: 1600 (May 25)
Starboard engine hours: 1600 (May 25)
Drive type: Saildrive SD60 with 2 x Bruntons Varifold 3-blade 19" x 15" folding propellers with Propspeed
Engine year: 2021 (first fired up October 2022)
(2) Dual Racor fuel filters with pressure gauge
Fuel transfer pump connected to Racors in engine room
(2) 12V AGM engine start batteries
Oil storage
(1) C25 Dual Morse cable throttle control
HOUSE ENERGY

(2) Dual 20kW integral charging systems
(4) 200Ah Victron Li-Ion batteries @ 24V
Located behind main mast bulkhead
Shore power cable: 20m 32A Marinco with Easy Lock system
Starboard transom step with US dockside plug
(2) Dual Balmar 604-24-70 (70A) alternators
The entire boat runs off inverters, including the Samsung washing machine
(4) 400W ventilated glass solar panels on coach roof
Each on its own regulator
AIR CONDITIONING

(3) Frigomar reverse cycle air conditioning units
10,000 BTU in each cabin
(1) Frigomar reverse cycle air conditioning unit in saloon
16,000 BTU
LIGHTS & SOCKETS & FANS

LED ceiling lights throughout, including service areas
LED reading lights at heads of each berth
Port aft cabin: (2) single outlets with (4) USB ports
Port and starboard forward cabins: (1) single electrical outlet and (4) USB ports on either side of the bed
Nav desk area: (2) single outlets with (4) USB ports
Galley: (4) electrical outlets
Saloon seat near starboard companionway: (1) electrical outlet and (2) USB ports
Starboard side below electrical panel: (2) electrical outlets and (4) double USB ports
Port head: (1) IP-rated outlet
Starboard head: (1) 110V outlet and (1) 220V outlet
Starboard owner's passageway: (2) electrical outlets
Starboard electrical cupboard: (1) 110V outlet
(2) underwater lights
ELECTRICAL BREAKER PANEL

Dedicated electrical cupboard located on the starboard owner's walkthrough housing:
AC/DC breaker panels
ELECTRICAL

Starlink
(1) Locomarine Yacht Router Mini S5 with S5 WiFi Booster
Fusion Stereo System - Apollo Series RA770 with 1600W amp, 2 x 7.7" speakers in cockpit & 2 x 8.8" in saloon
Switch and chain counter at helm for windlass Maxwell AA560
Courtesy lights (blue), one on each transom step and one in each companionway
Samsung washer/dryer 230V
AUTOPILOT

Raymarine Evolution Autopilot with P70S control head & ACU 400, EV1 sensor core
Raymarine Type 2 - 24V long shaft linear drive
NAVIGATION

Upper Helm

* (1) Raymarine Axiom 12 Multi-Functional Display
* (1) P70 Pilot Control
Lower Helm

* (1) 12" Axiom Pro 12
* (1) P70 Pilot Control
* (3) CAM220 IP Cameras
* (1) Ray63 VHF

General System

* (1) Raymarine i70s Color Instrument with DST Transducer
* (1) Raymarine YachtSense Link Marine Cloud Router
* (1) Raymarine Quantum Q24C 18" Radar
* (1) Raymarine i70s Color Instrument with DST Tri Ducer
* (1) Raymarine AIS 700 Send/Receive System
* (1) Ray53 VHF Radio (Nav Station)
* (1) SEA.AI (OSCAR) 640 - Day/Night Collision Avoidance System with thermal and color cameras mounted at the masthead and onboard processor, providing instant alerts for obstacles in the vessel’s path
Water

(2) Whale grey water sump boxes
(1) Quick Nautic 30-liter B3 (B33012S) water heater
(1) Spectra Cape Horn Extreme 24V (55 liters/hr)
Z-Ion protection system
Hot and cold pressure water system in each hull (vice versa supply)
Hot and cold pressure shower in starboard transom
Fresh/salt water washdowns for decks, anchor rode, and windlass
Starboard transom direct fresh water connect
BILGE

(4) Whale Orca 1300 24V bilge pumps for:
Port main bilge
Port engine room bilge
Starboard main bilge
Starboard engine room bilge

SAFETY

Additional ‘A LA CARTE’ Buyers optional extra Equipment List

Hull color change from white – Pantone 7534C
Spinnaker deck hardware
SeaDek – aft cockpit cappuccino
Carbonaute steering wheel RAL 5010 blue
Carbon dock line chafe plates x10 incl. chafe plates around stand-up blocks
Custom drinks fridge in helm seat
Fishing rod holders x2
Extra 50m x 10mm primary anchor chain (chain only)
Adjustable surfboard/fishing rod straps under coach roof
Helm seat upgrade to custom seat
Solstice exterior screens for saloon windows
Fishbone boom with tracks outboard for stack pack
Access hatch to stbd fwd forepeak to height of seat below
L-shape seat in both port and stbd fwd cabins
Nav desk modification to move drawers outboard and have seat access from aft and side
Custom glass unit above outboard galley counter all white, follow angle of windows, door as wide as possible, 11″ inside, 3x adjustable shelves, pull-out spice rack
Extra drawers on port & stbd outer hulls 8 inches
Countertop both counters on stbd midships hull 8 inch and 6 inch drawer
Avonite countertops in hulls
Custom manufactured nav chair
Fish cleaning station in place of Kenyon BBQ
Supertramp netting behind upper helm with 4x folding pad eyes
Spares for main engines
Spares for watermaker and spare drinking water filters
Sail repair kit
Spares for windlass and electric winches
Repair kit for Highfield 3.6m tender
Electrical spares
Paint and Sika spares
Electric furler with wireless remote control
Steps and handles on top of mast
Top-down furler – Facnor FAST 4500 tack swivel with 15mm Dynice anti-torsion line
Port aft shower wet clothes bar
10’6″ stand-up paddle boards
110V outlets under fish cleaning station and in forepeak
Custom Sunbrella cockpit table cover
Perennial fabric for all upholstery and throw pillows
Starlink system installed – can be transferred
Lightwind sail – Screamer
SeaDek bumpers on aft swim decks
Custom Sunbrella hatch covers (10 total)
Custom sun tent for bow
Fenders with covers

42° 54’ 37” N, 0° 10’ 46” E

Contact your broker
for full details

Spike Abram

Founder & Multihull Specialist

Feel free to contact your broker Spike Abram for all the yacht’s details.

Contact broker

Office

Newport, Rhode Island, United States,

Email

[email protected]

Phone

+1 203 274-0927

56° 12’ 37” N, 14° 13’ 46” E

What our clients say

Reviews

“Spike is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to high performance multihulls like my Gunboat 48. ”

Over the years, he’s supported me with resources, connections, and advice, it’s been invaluable.

John John Florence

3X World Champion Surfer, Olympian, Founder of Florence Marine X

“As a seller of a higher end performance catamaran, Rapide proved to be the ideal choice for me, for 3 main reasons. Spike brought to bear a really effective combination of in-depth product expertise, sound advice on pricing and position, and solid buyers well matched to the boat.”

High performance, blue water, catamarans are a very niche market. Spike’s years of experience in this field really set him apart from other brokers that don’t specialize in this area. For this reason he provides better feedback on positioning and pricing and most importantly finding qualified buyers that understand and appreciate and are willing to pay for the special capabilities of high performance catamarans.

Rich Schneider

Seller Balance 526 Blue Diamond

“Thank you for offering an alternative to all the shit brokers out there! We feel fortunate to be working with you.”

We came to Rapide looking for a safe, well-performing catamaran that could take our family around the world. As passionate sailors with a clear vision—and after a frustrating experience with another broker—we knew we needed someone transparent, knowledgeable, and truly on our side. Spike listened. He understood what we were after. It’s rare to find a broker who genuinely gets it, and even rarer to find one who truly cares. That’s why we’re so glad we found Rapide. Thank you.

Courtney and Mike

World Cruising Dream

“In the world of performance yachts, no one matches Spike Abrams technical capability, commitment to excellence, and high level of customer service.”

Spike’s Rapide Yacht Group had it all together… from the very first contact he gave me solid advise and handled a complex transaction expertly at every hurdle and step. Engaged and responsive at all times, even after the close, I couldn’t be happier.

Edgar

Buyer Gunboat 60 Moementum

“Trustworthy, hardworking, and most friendly. What started in a search for a Gunboat, ended in a long-lasting friendship and relationship with the guy who sold it to us.”

It has been the longest time since my dad dreamed of owning a Gunboat. With the long dream came the longest road. There has been so much consideration, so much decision making and so many emotions involved in this process. It has truly been overwhelming and yet so fulfilling. With all honesty, if it wasn’t for Spike we would not be here and proud Gunboat owners. Every text message, every phone call, every trip to see a boat, every decision and indecisiveness we had -Spike was there, answering honestly with our best interest at heart.

The Haeger Family

Buyer - Gunboat 57 Vai Vai

“Spike's hands-on experience running and managing a similar Gunboat has proven invaluable as we embark on our adventures into the Pacific.”

As the proud new owners of a Gunboat, we required a deep level of expertise in managing our program. We engaged Spike early in our ownership to help with project set-up as well as develop ongoing systems and processes that simplify and optimize our ownership experience. Alaia has an ambitious cruising plan. Spike’s hands-on experience running and managing a similar Gunboat has proven invaluable as we embark on our adventures into the Pacific

Nick Thompson

Buyer & Seller Gunboat 60 -

“Spike Abram is one of the rare professionals in the multihull space who combines deep technical knowledge with real diplomacy”

Identifying and hiring a knowledgeable owner’s representative to protect a client’s investment during construction is essential. A strong project manager must balance technical expertise with clear, tactful communication. Spike is one of the few professionals in the performance multihull segment who brings both—and does so with integrity.

Dave

Yacht Designer

“Spikes technical understanding and operational knowledge of high-performance cruising multihulls are widely respected within the industry.”

Spike’s skill and experience have been invaluable components of my multihull ownership. His technical understanding and operational knowledge of high-performance cruising multihulls are widely respected within the industry. He has added value in every aspect of my boat ownership experience.

Greg Gigliotti

Gunboat seller

01° 24' 37" N, 45° 45' 46" E