The BALI Door: The Innovation That Transformed Life Aboard Catamarans

The Origins of BALI Catamarans: Rethinking Space on Board

When Olivier Poncin envisioned the creation of BALI Catamarans, his ambition went far beyond developing a new range of cruising catamarans. He wanted to offer a different sailing experience, with greater emphasis on comfort, space and the evolving expectations of sailors.

To bring this vision to life, he partnered with naval architect Xavier Faÿ. Together, they set out to rethink traditional catamaran architecture and create more generous, better-connected living areas.

Their first major innovation was the solid foredeck, replacing conventional bow trampolines with a spacious relaxation area.

Unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2014, the BALI 4.5 embodied this new philosophy with its expansive forward sunbathing area.

But the design team wanted to go further: eliminate the traditional separation between the interior saloon and aft cockpit to create a single living space, fully open to the sea.

This ambition became a reality with the BALI 4.3 and an innovation destined to become the brand's signature: the BALI Door.

The Birth of the BALI Door: An Extensive Design and Development Process

Behind the apparent simplicity of the BALI Door lies a remarkable process of research and development.

Before arriving at the current system, the design team explored several technical solutions. Early prototypes included a smaller door integrated into the main panel, while a folding version was also built and tested in the workshop.

These concepts were gradually set aside in favour of a tilting mechanism that allows the entire door to lift upwards and disappear into the ceiling.

The result is both impressive and practical: a wide opening that instantly connects the catamaran's interior and exterior living areas.

Easy to operate and available in manual or electric versions depending on the model, the BALI Door fulfils one essential objective: transforming the onboard experience without compromising the boat's design.

Over the years, this system has become a defining innovation for BALI Catamarans, reinforcing the brand's distinctive identity in the multihull market.

An Architectural Innovation at the Heart of the Open Space Concept

The real technical achievement of the BALI Door goes far beyond its opening mechanism.

It lies in an architecture designed from the very first sketches to accommodate such a large opening.

On a catamaran, a conventional glass partition cannot simply be replaced with a lifting door. The coachroof, deck, bridgedeck structure and surrounding components must be engineered as one coherent structure to maintain the boat's rigidity.

The door itself is therefore not a structural component. Rather, the catamaran's architecture makes its integration possible.

This approach is central to the BALI Catamarans Open Space concept, built around three complementary innovations:

• The solid foredeck, transforming the bow into a genuine outdoor living area.
• The forward door, providing direct access between the saloon and forward cockpit.
• The tilting BALI Door, fully opening the saloon onto the aft cockpit.

Together, these innovations create seamless movement between the bow, interior and stern, delivering an exceptional feeling of space on board.

A Catamaran Designed to Bring People Together

The BALI Door does more than change the layout of a catamaran. It fundamentally transforms how people spend time together on board.

Once raised, the separation between the saloon and aft cockpit disappears. The two areas become one continuous living space.

While some guests prepare a meal in the galley, others can relax in the cockpit, gather around the table or simply enjoy the sea views. Everyone remains free to pursue their own activities while staying connected.

This spirit of togetherness lies at the heart of the BALI philosophy.

Stefania Portinauta, a BALI dealer and passionate sailor, perfectly captures this vision:

“It's not simply a door. It's a design feature that brings together people, spaces, generations and experiences.”

She recalls a family evening when some were enjoying dinner around the table while others were fishing for squid from the aft cockpit.

Two different activities, yet one shared moment.

This natural connection between people and spaces is what makes the BALI Door so distinctive.

A Tilting Door Designed for Sailing and Life at Anchor

One of the greatest advantages of the BALI Door is its versatility.

At anchor, opening the door transforms the saloon and aft cockpit into an expansive, welcoming living area connected to the surrounding sea.

Combined with the forward door and large panoramic windows, it also encourages pleasant natural ventilation whenever weather conditions allow.

Under sail, the door can remain open in favourable conditions, maintaining the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

When the wind picks up, rain arrives or temperatures drop, it can be closed quickly to create a bright, comfortable and sheltered saloon.

Owners and guests can therefore adapt their living environment to changing sailing conditions and personal preferences.

Proven through years of use and thousands of hours at sea, the BALI Door combines ease of operation, reliability and everyday comfort.

An Iconic Signature of BALI Catamarans

At boat shows, Erwan, who regularly presents the brand's catamarans, often asks visitors a simple question:

“Can you see the door?”

The answer is frequently unexpected:

“What door?”

Once raised, the BALI Door almost completely disappears into the ceiling, leaving a spectacular opening towards the aft cockpit.

This discreet integration is perhaps the clearest demonstration of its architectural success.

Impressive in operation and virtually invisible when raised, it embodies a vision of catamaran design where spaces are no longer separated but naturally connected.

More than a piece of equipment, the BALI Door has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the brand.