Built in France near La Rochelle by Chantier CATANA, the 4.4 carries the marque’s established DNA forward while refining its comfort-oriented cruising formula.
Design and Construction
The 4.4 follows the Bali blueprint rather than reinventing it. A rigid composite foredeck replaces the trampoline, while the tilt-and-turn aft “Bali door” opens the saloon to the cockpit. Side bay windows and a forward door further extend the connection between inside and out.
Test sailors found the composite sandwich underfoot very stiff, pointing to careful construction. The solid foredeck plainly expands the social space. Testers noted that this area is entirely covered with sunbeds, and the forward door provides direct access from the saloon.
The hull form has outboard chines and a 45-degree angle on the inboard topsides. The builder claims this combination delivers maximum agility while preserving a favorable waterline beam.
Usable deck area is close to 946 square feet. The integral foredeck flows through the living spaces to a high-low platform aft, making the deck as focused on relaxation as it is on passage-making. The large aft door measures 11 feet 6 inches across and 6 feet 3 inches high, and opens electrically in under 25 seconds.
Rig and Handling
The standard sail plan covers 1,248 square feet, while maximum upwind sail area reaches 1,614 square feet. A self-tacking solent reduces the headsail area from 796 to 452 square feet. The yard-promoted Code 0 provides an obvious speed bonus reaching up to about 70 degrees off the wind.
The tested sail-area-to-weight ratio was 8.68 square meters per tonne, compared with 7.07 for the smaller 4.2.
The flybridge is accessible from both sides. Its helm is offset to port, beside a raised L-shaped sofa to starboard. A lounging area aft is enclosed by padded rails. Testers described maneuvering as simple because everything is handled from the helm. In the builder’s own words, the 4.4 has an assertive, seakindly character.
The test boat was fitted with optional twin 57-horsepower Yanmars.
Accommodations
Below, the 4.4 is unapologetically a floating home. The saloon has more than seven feet of headroom in places, reaching as much as 7 feet 3 inches, and two lounge chairs can be specified to starboard. Large windows throughout drew praise from testers.
The galley has a large L-shaped counter backed by a sideboard, along with a plus-sized fridge-freezer presented as a Bali standard. The Elegance finish fitted to the test boat added upgraded upholstery, club chairs, and an integrated bar.
In the three-cabin owner’s layout, the entire port hull becomes the owner’s suite. Five steps lead down to a large island double, dressing table, huge bathroom, hull windows, two opening portlights, and abundant stowage.
The starboard hull contains two en-suite cabins. The aft cabin matches the port-side dimensions and has a minimum headroom of 6 feet 5 inches. In the forward cabin, the 4-foot-9-inch bed is set higher—nearly three feet above the floor, compared with just under two feet aft. A sturdy handrail guards the starboard companionway, a useful feature in chop.
Outside, the aft cockpit has a bench roughly nine feet long, positioned forward of the sugar scoops and hydraulic platform.
Verdict
The Bali 4.4 refines a proven comfort-catamaran template rather than departing from it. It combines a stiff, solid-decked platform with an expansive indoor-outdoor envelope, a helm-forward flybridge, and an owner-focused three-cabin layout that feels like a private apartment afloat.
She’s intended for sailors who see cruising as living on the water. The claims for agility around the chined hull also suggest that she needn’t feel sluggish for her size. CE certification ranges from A:12 through D:38 persons, underlining her family-vacation intent.
Pros
- The rigid foredeck and 11-foot-6-inch electric Bali door create exceptional social space.
- The owner’s port hull is a complete suite with an island berth and large bathroom.
- The self-tacking solent and Code 0 broaden the usable wind range.
- The composite construction felt stiff underfoot.
Cons
- The forward cabin berth is narrower and mounted markedly higher than the aft berth.
- The strong emphasis on comfort may suit liveaboard lounging better than raw performance sailing.
