Lagoon 46 vs Bali 4.6: Which is better to own or sail in the charter?
So, you’re thinking of chartering a catamaran or even buying one and putting it in a charter program? As you may know, the sweet spot for family catamarans in the charter is between 44 and 52 feet -- this is where bareboat catamarans offer the best accommodations for charter guests and generate the most revenue for the yacht owner.
Perhaps you’ve narrowed it down to two models, the Lagoon 46 and the Bali 4.6, both of which are available through Navigare Yachting. So, which is better?
Tech Specs
Let’s begin by comparing the specs and technical features. First, let’s clarify that the specifics of length overall (LOA), draft, and beam often appear in brochures and on websites differently for each model and they seldom agree. That said, it’s usually a matter of inches so it’s a moot point.
The Lagoon 46 is 45’ 11” LOA with a beam of 26’ 10” and a draft of 4’ 5” while the Bali 4.6 is 46’ 9” LOA with a beam of 25’ 1” and a draft of 4’. Lagoon’s extra beam may translate to slightly more room on deck and below while Bali’s marginally shallower draft may allow you to sail a little closer to the beach. Light displacement figures show the Lagoon is a little heavier at 15.7 tons vs Bali’s 13.6. That’s not insignificant since keeping weight down on a catamaran is critical but once you load up both models with equipment and full tanks, the differences will be fairly negligible.
The sail area and sail plan of both models are comparable: Lagoon offers 1,323 square feet of total upwind sail area while Bali has 1,311. Both offer square top mainsails to catch the last bit of wind up high and self-tacking jibs for easy short-handed sailing. Lagoon’s optional Code 0 is a bit bigger than Bali’s for faster downwind sailing.
Both models offer standard and upgraded (more powerful) engine packages and as luck would have it, they’re identical. Both brands offer Yanmar diesel with 45- or 57-hp models. Tankage differs slightly. The Bali offers 210 gallons of fresh water and 210 of diesel while Lagoon carries 137 gallons of fuel and 158 gallons of water. For charter or coastal cruising, fuel won’t be an issue, but water is always precious, so Bali has a slight edge here, especially with new boaters who like long showers.
On deck
A tour on deck does show some differences. The Lagoon 46 features low transom steps that are easy to ascend to the cockpit and engine room compartment hatches that open aft so they’re safer to access underway. Meanwhile, Bali has a slim deck behind the transom so once the dinghy is launched, you can traverse from port to starboard and back without stepping into the cockpit which is a nice additional feature. Lagoon’s side decks have flush hatches while Bali’s decks are mostly devoid of hatches which means you don’t have to step on or over them but there will be less airflow below and guests will be more reliant on air conditioning.
The foredeck and cockpit are where the real differences lie. The lagoon offers two traditional net trampolines forward. This keeps the weight low(er) and makes a great place to lounge on a lazy downwind sail while watching the hulls part the water. Bali has a solid foredeck that is topped with cushions forming a giant sunbed. It makes the model heavier forward, but it also offers better footing when catching a mooring or working with the windlass.
Both models have forward seating areas. In Bali, the lounge is well defined with a large table and a door that leads inside. This door not only brings in lots of fresh air at anchor but also changes the traffic patterns aboard. The Lagoon has a smaller lounge and a forward window that slides up/down to bring in some air and also offers a way to hand food and drinks to those relaxing upfront.
Aft is another stark difference. The Lagoon has a traditional outdoor cockpit (shown left, below). It’s large and has a wet bar with a sink and small fridge, a transom seat, and a side lounge. This is in addition to a separate interior salon settee. Meanwhile, Bali pioneered the indoor/outdoor approach (shown right, below) with only one seating area where the entire aft bulkhead lifts electrically like a garage door. Also, large side windows open to help bring the outdoors in.