New Balboa(s) Owner

[Dan]

Bought a 1975boa 20 ut a month ago. This particular model has the keelnk hidden in the galley. it has 4 opening portholes, a boom bang, spinnaker track on mast, and a winch on the mast. About a month later, I came upon yet another Balboa 20 here at the lake. I boought it as well. It is a year unknown model. It is quite different than the '75 in that it has fixed ports (windows), a keel trunk in the middle of the boat, a place for a head, a water fill on deck and tankage below the v-berth. It has no spinnaker gear and is rigged a little differently. it also has an opening port on the bow presumably for anchor rode.I assume Balboa made different floor plans (such as an 'A' and 'B' floorplan like other mfg's do) as well as different equipment options. does anyone have any info about these boats and how seaworthy offshore they are? I see they were designed for offshore use. Having no speaders is unusual as well.

 

[Paul]

New Balboa Owner

Dan,Balboa 20's were built initially by Arthur Marine in California. Others were built by Coastal Recreation which had boat yards on both the East and the West Coast. Depending upon the builder, there were differences in the layout below decks. Vessels built by Arthur Marine generally had fiberglass liners as did the vessels built on the West coast by Coastal Recreation. Those built by Coastal Recreation on the East coast might have had fiberglass liners or might have used plywood interiors. The model you have with the big sink cabinet that covers the keel trunk and has the four opening portholes was likely built by east coast Coastal Marine.I do not know of any model that came with a winch on the mast, so it is likely it was installed by a previous owner. If you really want to learn about the Balboa 20, I would suggest you subscribe to Small Craft Advisor and then contact Mr. Stu Whitcomb who is a member of the magazine staff. He has been sailing his Balboa 20 for over 20 years and is a veritable wealth of information!!Hope this helps,Paul.