{"id":16138,"date":"2025-05-05T08:57:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T08:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/balancecatamarans.com\/?p=16138"},"modified":"2025-05-05T08:57:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T08:57:11","slug":"the-6000nm-balance-shakedown-cruise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/balancecatamarans.com\/the-6000nm-balance-shakedown-cruise\/","title":{"rendered":"The 6,000NM Balance Shakedown Cruise"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Written by Dean Paarman, Director of Multimedia & Community Enrichment<\/span><\/em><\/h6>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At the end of January 2025, Balance 526 Hull #29\u2014<\/span>V\u00e4ster<\/span><\/i>\u2014splashed in St. Francis Bay alongside the very first Balance 580, <\/span>Windigo<\/span><\/i>. For proud new owners Kirk and Catherine Brunsson, it marked the start of their very own journey at the helm\u2014after years as devoted members of the Balance community. With over 7,000 nautical miles under their belts crewing aboard other Balance catamarans, they were more than ready to take the helm of their own performance bluewater cruiser.<\/span><\/p>

I have the incredible privilege of joining them\u2014not just from the early days of build and commissioning, but through sea trials in Cape Town, and now, across the Atlantic Ocean. I\u2019m writing this update from a quiet anchorage off the remote island of St. Helena, where we\u2019re taking a short pause before setting sail again\u2014this time toward Fernando de Noronha.<\/span><\/p>

While I\u2019ll be sharing a full-length video and story once I\u2019m back on land and back in the editing chair, I wanted to give you a sneak peek of what this incredible passage has looked like so far.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Journey Highlights<\/strong><\/h4>

A Viking Send-Off<\/b>
<\/b> Kirk and Catherine – strong Nordic ties –\u00a0 made their departure from Cape Town in true style by donning horned Viking helmets as <\/span>V\u00e4ster<\/i> set sail. Spirits were high and the excitement was contagious.<\/span><\/p>

Day 1: Easing In<\/b>
<\/b> After a light start with barely a breeze, we motored for about 6 hours at 6 knots in search of wind. Along the way, we enjoyed sunshine, gentle swells, and sightings of playful seals along South Africa\u2019s West Coast. By the evening, the wind had filled in\u2014and we were sailing under starry skies.<\/span><\/p>

Despite the soft start, we logged over <\/span>215 nautical miles on Day 1<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>

Days 2\u20137: Flying<\/b>
<\/b> For six straight days, we had strong winds and a steady sea state. Even sailing conservatively\u2014with a second reef and jib\u2014we averaged over <\/span>220 nautical miles per day<\/b>. At times, <\/span>V\u00e4ster<\/span><\/i> surfed along effortlessly at speeds up to <\/span>20 knots<\/b>, with a top speed of <\/span>23 knots<\/b> recorded.<\/span><\/p>

This performance was all the more impressive considering she was fully loaded with:<\/span><\/p>