Ex-charter, honestly presented and refreshingly simple — this four-cabin Bali 4.3 trades gadgets for space, light and airflow.
In a short, no-nonsense walkthrough, Liz Day of BVI Yacht Sales introduces S/V Betty’s Dream, a 2020 Bali 4.3 that has just come out of a six-year charter career in the British Virgin Islands. What makes the tour worth watching is its candour: this is a boat presented as it is, with clear strengths and a clear to-do list.
Life on deck
The Bali layout puts the emphasis on outdoor living, and the video makes the case well. Forward, the bow cockpit cushions have been recently updated — work that is almost complete — which noticeably freshens the space. At the helm there’s a sun lounge and a comfortable helm seat with good sightlines, alongside a generous flybridge lounging area. Instrumentation centres on a large Raymarine Axiom touchscreen chartplotter with autopilot controls, and an electric winch on the main halyard takes the effort out of hoisting the mainsail. The sails are reported to be in good condition.
Space, light and honest wear
Inside, the signature Bali lifting garage-style door opens the aft saloon straight into the cockpit, while a large forward opening window drives air right through the boat. Day is upfront that the interior shows cosmetic wear after charter: upholstery and flooring would benefit from attention, though cabinetry and cabins remain in good shape. The layout is four cabins and four heads, with the option to create two additional cabins in the forepeak. Cabins are a good size, with plenty of natural light and ventilation from opening windows, exterior port lights and overhead hatches.
Simple systems
There is no generator and no air conditioning aboard, which keeps maintenance straightforward — and the natural ventilation is, as Day notes, surprisingly effective. For cruising she carries an Aqua Base low-consumption watermaker, solar, and a Victron inverter/charger. The engines have been well maintained and share approximately 4,400 hours.
Fully phased out of her charter program, Betty’s Dream is stored from 17 August at Virgin Gorda boatyard and available for viewing.
Bali 4.3 market snapshot
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Solds (last 24 months) | 1 — median $240,000 |
| Median time to sell | ~161 days |
| Active listings | 2 |
| Asking range | $279,000–$395,000 (median $337,000) |