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Image Credit: Dale Staples
Ullman Sails x Balance Catamarans: A Twenty-Year Voyage
What separates a genuine partnership from a catalogue order? For Ullman Sails South Africa and Balance Catamarans, the answer is two decades of shared problems, shared solutions, and a relentless pursuit of performance cruising.
Beyond the Supplier
Their involvement with a new Balance build begins months before a boat ever touches the water. As Dallen Roos, Key Account Manager, puts it: "Half my day revolves around Balance. If they're not calling, I'm thinking about what we can do better." This lockstep collaboration allows us to identify issues early and refine sail shapes through real-world testing in the rugged waters of South Africa.
The Obsidian Innovation
Nothing reflects this partnership more than Obsidian sailcloth. Developed alongside Dimension Polyant, Obsidian 150 solves the age-old tension between performance and longevity. It offers the speed of a high-tech laminate with the durability required for transoceanic passages. A cloth born specifically from the feedback of the Balance fleet.
Watch the Video here
Image Credit: Balance Catamarans
Looking Ahead: The Balance 540
The conversation never stops. As the new Balance 540 takes shape, our teams are already discussing rigging layouts and sail profiles to match its sleeker, faster hull.
take a sneak peak
Key Accounts Manager
Dallen Roos
Dallen returned from Europe in June 2011, where he was managing top race boats such as the Farr 40 Charisma and the Ker 46 Tonnerre, before joining Ullman Sail’s Durban loft. He has a strong background in sail training, having served as chief instructor at one of South Africa’s leading sailing schools. With extensive experience in racing, sail training, and yacht deliveries, Dallen has developed a deep understanding of the needs of both cruising and racing boats, enabling him to provide Ullman Sail’s clients with expert advice.
In 2020, Dallen relocated to Cape Town to take on the role of Key Accounts Manager, where he is responsible for overseeing OEM clients and ensuring their needs are met with precision and care.
At Ullman Sails, we believe that "cruising" shouldn't mean compromising on structural integrity. The same engineering principles Skip Novak used to ride out a blizzard—reinforced tack and clew attachments, high-modulus fibers, and UV-resistant coatings—are the "Global DNA" built into every sail we manufacture.
Whether you are navigating the pristine waters of Cape Town on a new Balance 502 or threading crystalline icebergs in the South Atlantic, our goal is the same: to provide the reliability that turns a potential "survival situation" into a controlled, high-performance passage.
