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About
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 showss 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 owners 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.
Specifications
SPECS
MEASUREMENTS
ENGINE(S)
TANKS
Accommodations
Specifications
Interior
Owner’s Version 3-cabin layout master suite forward (starboard), forward cabin (port), aft cabin (port)
King-size master berth with storage lockers, electrical sockets, and USB ports on both sides
Caframo Sirocco fans in each cabin and galley (5 total)
Master suite: four drawers at foot of bed, full hanging cupboard outboard, outboard lockers (upgraded higher option), air conditioning locker below drawers
Master ensuite head with electric Tecma toilet, solid surface vanity with moulded basin, frosted Lexan shower partition with full-height door, overhead rain shower and hand shower on rail
Port forward cabin: same layout as master with storage lockers both sides, full hanging cupboard, four drawers, Caframo fan, and white pleated ocean air shades
Port head with electric Tecma toilet, opening portlight, solid surface vanity, sink, and towel rail
Port shower with seat, massage head tap, opening portlight, solid surface vanity, sink, and towel rail
Port aft cabin: split mattress with removable divider board (converts to one large bed), storage for two bicycles below berth, Caframo fan, size 40 overhead hatch
Starboard forepeak: dedicated workshop with workbench, vice, electrical socket, stainless sail/rope hanging rails, fishing rod rack (6 rods), size 70 deck hatch
Port forepeak: fold-up pipe cot, stainless sail/rope hanging rails, composite access door from cabin, size 70 deck hatch (upgraded)
Saloon: standard U-shape seating with walnut table telescopic legs and fold-out leaves convert to daybed (mattress included)
2 x Caframo Sirocco fans behind saloon seating
2 x size 40 medium profile hatches in rooftop, 2 x size 40 low profile hatches in saloon windows
White Skysol 2 Oceanair blinds in recess for saloon windows
All hull ports upgraded from Plexiglas to glass with Moonlight ports (2024)
Navigation station with desk, drawers, and composite seat
Built-in full-sized safe under washing machine (starboard side) with false panel
Samsung 220V washer/dryer with both 220V and 110V outlets
32″ TV with Tallon swivel wall mount in saloon
Triton display in owner’s cabin (starboard forward, easily visible from berth)
All cabins and heads fitted with Oceanair pleated and roller shades (white)
Interior finish: zebrawood and white, Selemix matte white, tobacco oak flooring, Macro suede graphite headboards, Pacifica marine vinyl white ceilings
Leviton 110V AC outlets and fast-charge USB-C throughout, plus 220V Euro sockets in key locations
Galley
U-shaped gourmet galley layout
Miele induction cooktop (electric)
Miele convection / steam oven (electric)
Jura espresso / coffee maker
Microwave with both 110V and 220V outlets
2 x Vitrifrigo DRW180 drawer fridge/freezer combo units
Ice maker under navigation station
Solid surface countertops with waterfall feature on forward counter
Double stainless steel sink with cutting board cover
Water filter under galley sink
Pull-out spice drawer
Caframo Sirocco fan
Exterior
Innovative Versahelm design with convertible up helm and down helm positions
Daggerboards flush-deck captive daggerboards line operated on sheet winches
Flexi teak decking throughout cockpit, transoms, steps, engine hatch area, and upper helm
Modern cockpit design with dedicated lower helm seat (storage under with liferaft pullout) and larger starboard lounger with closing storage locker
Cockpit table: two telescopic legs lowers to form cockpit daybed (white composite)
Hard bimini over helm station
Sunshade awnings for cockpit with built-in composite track
Kenyon electric BBQ mounted at rear of helm seat with silicone collapsible cover
Surfboard holders under cockpit roof (3 hangers)
Pad eyes under cockpit roof for hammock
Carbon grab handles around coach roof
Carbon stanchions (12)
Carbon dock line chafe plates (10)
Aluminum swim ladder (port side, fold-up, removable, mounted as far outboard as possible)
Fishing rod holders 1 port, 1 starboard
Outside shower with hot and cold water (port transom) with attachment on sat phone pole for shower head
Freshwater deck wash (port transom and anchor locker)
Saltwater deck wash (port transom and anchor locker)
Upper helm canvas cover for winches, clutches, and plotter
Large inflatable fenders
Fresh antifoul Bottom Paint (Micron CSC x 2 plus one coat on leading edges and waterline)
Equipment
Mechanical
2 x 57hp Yanmar 4JH57 inboard diesel engines approx. 1,300 hours
SD60 Saildrives
Dual ZF electronic throttles (upper helm and lower helm)
2 x Gori 3-blade 15″ folding propellers
Dual Racor fuel filters for each engine
Diesel transfer pump 2-way (port to starboard and vice versa)
ZF remote control with dual plugs one at nav table (for foredeck use) and one at helm
B&G engine and fuel monitoring integrated to MFD
Electrical
2 x 9kW Integrel Alternator / Generators – Engine Mounted Charging System – Up to 18kW charge / generator power
48V Lithium House Battery Bank – 4 x 200Ah Victron Lithium Ion batteries at 48V (20kWh)
2 x 200Ah 24V Victron Lithium Ion batteries (10kWh)
Split electrical system: 220V/50Hz and 110V/60Hz
Multi-Voltage Shore Power Connection 2 x 50 Amp Connections 220v or 110v (Plug into any shore power source worldwide!)
1 x 5000W Victron Quattro inverter/charger at 220V/48V (50Hz) for oven, induction, and washer
1 x 5000W Victron Quattro inverter/charger at 110V/48V (60Hz) for all 110V equipment
Trickle charger for 12V engine start batteries fed from 24V house bank
6 x 400W glass solar panels on coach roof each on individual MPPT regulators 2,400W
2 x 400W glass solar panels over davits on two MPPT regulators 800W
Total solar: 3,200 Watts
9″ digital display screen for main electrical panel (Victron and tank monitoring, integrated to Raymarine standalone AP display)
Leviton USA-type 110V AC sockets and fast-charge USB-C ports throughout
Additional 220V Euro outlets at nav desk, galley, electrical panel area, starboard passage, and other key locations
Underwater lights 1 port, 1 starboard (blue)
Down-facing and up-facing spreader lights
Blue courtesy lights on transom steps and companionway steps (individual switches)
Chart reading lamp at nav desk
Electronics
B&G Zeus 9″ MFD at upper helm (port side of winches)
B&G Triton display at upper helm
B&G Zeus 9″ MFD at lower helm
3 x B&G Triton displays in composite housing above flip-up window at lower helm
B&G Zeus 12″ MFD at navigation table
B&G H5000 GFD instrument display at nav table
B&G Autopilot control at lower helm and nav table
B&G ForwardScan sonar with DST speed/depth transducer (starboard hull forward of keel)
B&G Fishfinder B150M (port hull forward of keel)
B&G Radar on spreader
B&G Wind sensor WS310 and VHF antenna at masthead
Garmin Vesper/Cortex AIS VHF with 4 remotes
Redundant standalone Raymarine autopilot system Raymarine Evolution ACU-400, EV1 Sensor Core, P70 pilot control at lower helm
Raymarine Type 2/24V Short Shaft Linear Drive (port engine room, setup and ready)
Second Raymarine Axiom display (integrated to standalone autopilot)
FLIR M232 thermal camera on spreader (connected to B&G)
Down-facing camera under spreader
Starlink High Performance satellite internet (custom cabin top mount)
KVH/Iridium Go satellite phone (starboard hull passage cupboard, antenna on spreader)
PredictWind DataHub
Wave WiFi Rogue Pro Dual-Band WiFi booster on spreader
Peplink HD2 Dome LTE (masthead) with 8-slot SIM injector (starboard hull passage cupboard)
Peplink Balance One WiFi boat router (starboard hull passage cupboard)
Yacht Devices NMEA 0183/2000 Router with SeaTalkNG adapter and junction
BRNKL Boat Monitoring Security System with salon camera and system monitoring
GPS GP500 antenna aft of coach roof
LED searchlight on mast
Audio / Visual
Fusion MS-AV750 series stereo AM/FM, DVD/CD, Bluetooth, Aux2
4 x 200W 6″ speakers
32″ color TV with Tallon swivel wall mount in saloon
Fusion antenna
Rigging and Sails
New Ullman RDL mainsail (2025)
Ullman RDL self-tacking Jib
Ullman RDL staysail on removable inner forestay
Dacron storm jib (orange)
Ullman Code Zero (upwind, 90 sq m) with halyard lock
Ullman Code Zero (downwind, 120 sq m) with halyard lock
Symmetrical spinnaker
240 sq m asymmetrical spinnaker
Aluminum mast with single spreader and wire rigging
Antal slide system
Mast steps (port side)
Hard bimini over helm
Schaefer receptacles (6) for mainsail
3.6m track for self-tacking jib
Profurl C380 manual jib furling unit
3 x electric size 50 winches on cabin top at upper helm
2 x electric size 46 winches on aft combing (dinghy lift, jib/code zero furling, daggerboards)
1 x electric size 46 winch on foredeck (spinnaker and code zero halyards)
Additional switch sets: starboard winch operates port winch (one-man dinghy lift), helm operates starboard combing winch (jib furling), helm operates foredeck winch
10 x Antal roller cleats
Aluminum front bar and longeron with self-launching bow roller (port side) for spare anchor
Hayrack upgrade on aluminum boom including trampoline
Nylon black trampolines
Rig inspection and tensioning performed (Oct 2025)
Anchoring and Mooring
Maxwell HRC 10 windlass (non-capstan, 48V) with foot switches on foredeck
Maxwell wireless switch and chain counter at helm
Primary anchor: Rocna 40 with 100m of 10mm chain
Secondary anchor: Fortress FX-37 (9.5 kg) with 3m chain and 90m rope
Self-launching bow roller (port side) for secondary anchor
Climate Control
Frigomar air conditioning 1 x 16,000 BTU (saloon, 110V)
3 x Frigomar 10,000 BTU units one per cabin (110V)
5 x Caframo Sirocco fans throughout
Plumbing
Spectra Cape Horn Extreme watermaker with Zion and charcoal filters 15g/h
Dual fresh water pump system with crossover capability
2 x Tecma Silence Plus 2G electric toilets (24V, tall, white)
Shore water connection with pressure regulator directly into system
Freshwater deck wash (port transom and anchor locker)
Saltwater deck wash (port transom and anchor locker)
Outside shower with hot and cold water (port transom)
Water pumps upgraded to Marco (2025)
Tender
OC Tender carbon fiber dinghy with a 15hp Yamaha 2-stroke outboard
Additional Equipment
Liferaft (under helm seat)
ACR GlobalFix Pro EPIRB with case
4 x Spinlock 6D PFDs with HRS
2 x rechargeable handheld VHF radios
Harken bosun’s chair
Substantial engine and sailing spares inventory
Toolkit in settee drawer
Line bag package
Lift rings in all floor inspection hatches
All Oceanair blinds (white) saloon, cabins, heads, and showers
Marine canvas covers throughout
Recent Maintenance & Upgrades
LITTLE BIRD has been professionally maintained by a full-time captain throughout her ownership. The following is a summary of documented maintenance and upgrades:
Mar 2026 Replace Spectra high pressure pump A (Antigua, Green Island)
Mar 2026 Replace starboard engine mounts at 1,234 hours. Replace port alternator belt (Antigua, Jolly Harbour)
Jan 2026 Replace port engine Integrel belt (stretched/worn) Micro V 8PK1330HD / 8562-20068 (Antigua)
Oct 2025 Main engine service: Racor pre-filter, fuel filter, oil filter, oil change, impellers. Port & starboard saildrive service oil and seals change. Peak bearings worn and replaced. Port engine mounts replaced (part no. 129670-08370). New aircon unit (starboard fwd) moved old unit to port fwd (port was faulty). Watermaker high pressure pump diaphragms replaced. Rig inspection and tensioning. Sand antifoul / take down ridge on waterline, apply Micron CSC x 2 plus one coat on leading edges and waterline. Prep daggerboards and apply Island 99 x 2 (Clarkes Court, Grenada Pt 1154 / Stb 1126 hrs)
Sep 2025 Service all deck winches (Grenada)
Apr 2025 Barnacle Buster through all air conditioning units (Grenada)
Apr 2025 Replaced repaired OEG with new unit (Union Island, SVG)
Mar 2025 Port OEG serviced and repaired; reinstalled but temp not working; replaced with new OEG, repaired unit kept as spare
Dec 2024 Port & starboard Integrel and alternator belts replaced (Green Island, Antigua)
Nov 2024 Replace aft pump (B) on watermaker brushes worn out (Antigua)
Nov 2024 Tighten mainsail battens (Guadeloupe)
Nov 2024 Tension port & starboard steering quadrants (Martinique)
Nov 2024 Avon clocks and gas service, port fuel leak seal chemical repair (PLM, Grenada)
Nov 2024 Port & starboard engine service: fuel and Racor filter change, oil and oil filter change, impeller change (Grenada, PLM Pt 998.1 / Stb 968.3 hrs)
Oct 2024 New mainsail, replaced Plexiglas hull sides with glass, new Moonlight ports (replacing Lewmar), new lithium battery bank (24V, 2 units), new black water tank (starboard), antifoul (Micron CSC x 2), daggerboards (Island 99 x 1), props Prop Speed (Grenada)
Oct 2024 Port & starboard saildrive service, seals and oil change
Mar 2024 Shaft and prop anodes replaced port and starboard (Antigua)
Feb 2024 Both high pressure pumps on Spectra watermaker replaced (Antigua / St. Lucia)
Feb 2024 Starboard steering quadrant tensioned
Feb 2024 Deck winches serviced (all 6) (SVG)
Oct 2023 Port & starboard saildrive service, seals and oil change (Clarkes Court, Grenada)
Jun 2023 Port & starboard engine service: fuel and primary filter change, oil and oil filter change, new impellers (Port Louis Marina, Grenada Pt 748.9 / Stb 710.3 hrs)
Nov 2022 Port & starboard engine service: fuel and primary filter change, oil and oil filter change, impeller change (Emerald Bay Marina, Great Exuma, Bahamas Pt 478 / Stb 459 hrs)
Oct 2022 Port & starboard saildrive service, seals and oil change (St. Augustine, FL Pt 437 / Stb 417 hrs)
Disclaimer
The Multihull Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
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We had a great experience working with Andrew! He was extremely knowledgeable and listened to our needs of what we wanted our next boat to be. He responded quickly to all of our requests and got us to the finish line. Working with Multihull was seamless and we highly recommend using Andrew and Multihull.
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The buying process was problematic with numerous mechanical issues needing attention. Throughout the process he was fantastic. I would highly recommend him if you’re looking to buy a boat in the Caribbean.
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