First Impressions of the Balance 526 ‘Pippilotta’

Meet ‘Pippilotta’ - A Balance 526 built by Nexus Yachts

We have been aboard Pippilotta for about a month - What are our initial impressions?

SOLID. Every hand hold, every fitting, every installment is simply built rugged. This gives an incredibly stout feeling about here, even before you leave the dock. When I walk around the boat, it becomes apparent many features were constructed out of composites, rather than stainless accessories bolted to the deck. Most notably all handholds are constructed in-house and give this one-with-the-ship feeling. I absolutely love this strategy, being head of the ‘polishing’ department. In fact, there isn’t much stainless at all. Only limited to the Harken D-Rings and a couple other attached bits. Even the lifelines are dyneema with the stanchions being anodised aluminium.

Strong hand-holds and clear deck spaces are an asset offshore

Less time polishing lends more time for sailing! Pippilotta’s stout feeling translates directly to the immersive sailing experience perched above the coachroof with a wonderfully direct helm feel and all sail controls within reach. Both Amanda and I really like the three powered Harken winches with two speed toe-operated buttons. Amanda was concerned about the reach to the clutch bank, however we discovered the ‘miracle clutches’! Not a trademarked name, just our description of the Spinlock clutch which has both a traditional handle, and a close-at-reach lever for those situations which the handle cannot be easily operated (as a shorter person reaching over the winches). Brilliant!

The Balance 526 is advertised as a ‘performance cruising catamaran’, which is apparent in her partial carbon construction, tall dagger boards, and really nice Ullman sails. But, how does this translate to real-world ocean miles? Well, the owner and delivery crew clocked an impressive 288NM day, which as they lament, was on track to be a 300+NM day had the wind not completely shut down the last 6 hours of that run! I have been told the record is around 340NM on a 526, which I believe to be very impressive considering she is a cruising boat with full amenities. Furthermore, ocean miles are best described in averages, of which for her crossing from Cape Town, she averaged an impressive 198NM/day, which even included a couple sailing holds for some big-game fishing action.

Elegantly anchored with a stunning Caribbean backdrop

As a Captain and all-things maintainer, I was impressed by her condition after 6,500NM of ocean sailing. Pippilotta’s work list was exceptionally minimal. We stepped aboard and she seriously could have gone right into a boat show, or reprovisioned for another run across a pond. The systems were designed to be accessible, with large hatches, clearly labeled system runs, and not-too-hidden components. Thus far, the few systems we have addressed (now touch wood as I say this), I haven’t had to perform the infamous ‘boat yoga' pose.

On a more personal note, those who know me are aware that i’m fairly tall, and often lament not ‘fitting’ on certain boats. Not here. On the 526 I have 6’8” of headroom in the main saloon, long lounging areas, and a cockpit dodger that I can stand under with good visibility of the sails. Even the beds, i’m used to hanging my feet over the end, but not on Pippilotta. Heaven!

Our first impression of Pippilotta is nothing short of WOW. So much so, it’s now been coined our new ‘lottery boat’…Now where do I buy that ticket?