2021 Balance 526 "Little Bird"

2021 Balance 526 “Little Bird” – Award-Winning Daggerboard Performance Meets Bluewater Luxury

US Duty Paid!  Preliminary Photos – updated photos and video walkthrough coming soon.

LITTLE BIRD is a beautiful example of the iconic Balance 526 – a semi-custom, meticulously maintained, ocean-proven performance cruiser that was commissioned from the factory by very experienced and knowledgeable performance multihull owners.  She has also been operated and maintained by a dedicated full-time professional captain since the day she launched. The result is a vessel that shows in the condition that only comes from being genuinely loved and expertly looked after — every system dialed, every detail considered, every mile logged with intention.

Balance Catamarans redefined the performance cruising catamaran when the first 526 won Cruising World’s Import Boat of the Year and Best Multihull Over 50 Feet. Designed by award-winning naval architect Anton du Toit, the 526 is an all-epoxy, carbon-reinforced, foam-core thoroughbred — reverse-raked wave-piercing bows, flush-deck captive daggerboards, and a sail plan that will do wind speed in seven knots of breeze. She is bluewater tough, exciting to sail, and easier to operate shorthanded than boats half her size. There are very few 526s on the market at any given time, so finding one this well equipped and professionally maintained is exceptionally rare.

LITTLE BIRD is configured in the desirable Owner’s Version layout.  The interior is finished in zebrawood and white with tobacco oak flooring — warm, modern, and unmistakably premium.  Her starboard hull owner’s suite features a king-size master forward with an extra large head and shower aft.  Guest accommodations in the port hull include a generous forward cabin and a versatile aft cabin with a split berth that converts to one large bed.  In the port hallway, the guests share a large head with sink and a separate large shower and sink.  Both forepeaks are interior or exterior accessible and designed for functionality — the starboard forepeak serves as a dedicated workshop with workbench, vice, and sail storage.  The port forepeak includes a fold-up pipe cot and additional stowage. The salon features a U-shaped settee with a walnut drop leaf table that can be converted to an oversized daybed or additional bunk. The U-shaped galley is ergonomic and fully equipped with modern appliances.  

Several of LITTLE BIRD’s equipment highlights include:

•      2 x 57hp 4JH57 Yanmar Diesels with Gori 3-Blade Folding Propellers (1,300 hours)

•      Dual Integrel Charging System — 2 x 9kW Charging Capacity

•      48v Victron Lithium Ion Batteries 

•      3,200 Watts of Glass Solar Panels (eight panels on individual MPPT regulators)

•      Spectra Cape Horn Extreme Watermaker with Zion and Charcoal Filters

•      Frigomar Air Conditioning — 16,000 BTU saloon + 10,000 BTU per cabin (110V)

•      Comprehensive B&G Navigation Electronics Suite with redundant Autopilots and FLIR

•      Deep Sail Inventory — Including a New Main (2025), Staysail, Storm Jib, 2 x Code Zeros, and 2 x Spinnakers

•      Starlink Satellite Internet, Iridium Go Satellite Phone, Peplink LTE/WiFi with PredictWind DataHub

•      Carbon Wheel, Carbon Stanchions, Carbon Grab Handles, and Carbon Dock Line Chafe Plates

•      Kenyon Electric BBQ, Surfboard Holders, Cockpit Hammock Pad Eyes, and Sunshade Awnings

•      … And so much more!

LITTLE BIRD has been sailed extensively throughout the Caribbean and along the U.S. East Coast, always under the watchful eye of her professional captain who has deep connections in the town of St Francis, South Africa where she was built. The owners have loved every mile but are ready to move on to new adventures. The maintenance log tells the story — regular engine services, saildrive overhauls, new Ullman mainsail in 2025, new lithium battery bank, fresh antifoul, and much more. This is a boat that has been kept to the highest standard while actually being used for the purpose she was built — serious offshore sailing with an emphasis on comfort and quality of life.

LITTLE BIRD is US Duty Paid and currently en route to St. Augustine, FL.  Please contact the listing agent to schedule in-person showings.