Well, I thought I had posted something here yesterday, but I don't see it on the forum, so.... My wife and I just purchased a Balboa 20. She was built in 1976 and has only had two owners. We're not bringing her home until this weekend (August 20), so I haven't been able to go over her in detail yet. The second owner said he bought her to learn how to sail, but never put her in the water. He said the original owners hadn't had her in the water in some time. The last registration sticker was from 1996. The hull and deck look to be in fairly good condition. She has some spider cracks, which I read is normal for a boat her age and the deck has some chips. The sliding hatch took some damage when the original owner dropped the mast on it. Nothing a little fiberglass work can't fix. The keel also has some damage. I've read that the keel is cast iron and it looks like there might be some kind of coating over it that is peeling away in one area. Fiberglass maybe? The rigging looks okay, but I really didn't inspect it too closely. I know some of the cleats, etc will need to be replaced. One probem I know about is that the mainstay (I think; it runs from the top of the mast to the bow) is broken. I checked the Marine West and BoatUS websites and couldn't find anything about replacing it, so any suggestions would be appreciated. The interior is another story. She's pretty much gutted. I doubt I'll find original parts anywhere, but I'm worried that I won't be able to find anything that even closely matches or fits the interior. If anyone can offer advice about restoring her, I'd greatly appreciate it. I've done some Internet research and found some sites that have info on the Balboa 20. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I haven't taken and pics yet myself, but I've posted one on the pics that was on the listing. Dave
New owner of a Balboa 20
- Thread starter Saki Dave
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To New owner
I think i can help you,your boat looks just like mine!I Don't have mutch for an interior and it's original (I think),what do you have to work with?
I think i can help you,your boat looks just like mine!I Don't have mutch for an interior and it's original (I think),what do you have to work with?
new owner as well
I just bought a balboa 20 on the 4th of july. It sat alone in the woods for 8 years. It wasnt even for sale when I bought it. I basicly had no clue how to sail other than a few trips on a dingy boat with a bud. any way the boat was quite a mess other than the structeral aspacts. Im still working on it but have been sailing it too, and what a great boat. It is a 1975 the inside wood has seen beter days, but im a carpenter by trade so not a problem. I do however have some ? about some of the rigging. I have some before and after pics of it I will deal with later. I would like to talk with any one who knows what go's where when it comes to the rigging or anything for that matter. Im hooked and there aint no turning back.
I just bought a balboa 20 on the 4th of july. It sat alone in the woods for 8 years. It wasnt even for sale when I bought it. I basicly had no clue how to sail other than a few trips on a dingy boat with a bud. any way the boat was quite a mess other than the structeral aspacts. Im still working on it but have been sailing it too, and what a great boat. It is a 1975 the inside wood has seen beter days, but im a carpenter by trade so not a problem. I do however have some ? about some of the rigging. I have some before and after pics of it I will deal with later. I would like to talk with any one who knows what go's where when it comes to the rigging or anything for that matter. Im hooked and there aint no turning back.
Balboa 20 Restoration?
Rick, although it sounds as though your boat may be in worse shape than the one I have, I would be interested in learning about what you are/have done to the interior. Mine is a 1976 with no liner just a plywood interior that has rotted everywhere it was tabbed to the hull bottom. As to rigging, I would suggest that you go to Cliff Unruh's Balboa 20 web site and see what he has to offer or to contact Storm on this site. Both gentlemen have been most helpful to me, with regard to my questions. You will find a "sales brochure" for the Balboa 20 as offered by Arthur Marine on Cliff's site that may be of some help. I have been trying to find a way to raise the mast singlehanded but my efforts of this morning resulted in a broken mast foot. Ida Sailor (idasailor.com) produces a replacement foot and mast step/tabernacle for the Balboa and the Ensenada 20, so when I get the money I will order the foot. In the meantime, I sure would like to learn more about what you intend to do to the interior. Paul.
Rick, although it sounds as though your boat may be in worse shape than the one I have, I would be interested in learning about what you are/have done to the interior. Mine is a 1976 with no liner just a plywood interior that has rotted everywhere it was tabbed to the hull bottom. As to rigging, I would suggest that you go to Cliff Unruh's Balboa 20 web site and see what he has to offer or to contact Storm on this site. Both gentlemen have been most helpful to me, with regard to my questions. You will find a "sales brochure" for the Balboa 20 as offered by Arthur Marine on Cliff's site that may be of some help. I have been trying to find a way to raise the mast singlehanded but my efforts of this morning resulted in a broken mast foot. Ida Sailor (idasailor.com) produces a replacement foot and mast step/tabernacle for the Balboa and the Ensenada 20, so when I get the money I will order the foot. In the meantime, I sure would like to learn more about what you intend to do to the interior. Paul.
wanta be sailers
We found a Balboa 20 foot advertised at an auction that we are interested in purchasing soon. Would like to know the value range and if a sail boat such as this can be used on a lake as small as the one we live on, 160 acres. We are used to sailing only a small butterfly. Any suggestions?
We found a Balboa 20 foot advertised at an auction that we are interested in purchasing soon. Would like to know the value range and if a sail boat such as this can be used on a lake as small as the one we live on, 160 acres. We are used to sailing only a small butterfly. Any suggestions?
Interior
My Balboa has the molded interior so there isn't a lot of choices in layout. In general, my advice for the interior of a boat as small as the Balboa is to think backpacker rather than yacht. Cooking inside the cabin fills the boat with moisture. Better to plan on a stove that can be put in the cockpit than to permanently installing one below. A plastic dishpan is way better than trying to use a too small built in sink. I am beginning to think air mattresses work better than the cushions if you're trying to sleep. Anyway, you probably get the point. It is more akin to a pup tent than a motor home.
My Balboa has the molded interior so there isn't a lot of choices in layout. In general, my advice for the interior of a boat as small as the Balboa is to think backpacker rather than yacht. Cooking inside the cabin fills the boat with moisture. Better to plan on a stove that can be put in the cockpit than to permanently installing one below. A plastic dishpan is way better than trying to use a too small built in sink. I am beginning to think air mattresses work better than the cushions if you're trying to sleep. Anyway, you probably get the point. It is more akin to a pup tent than a motor home.
BAlboa on Yahoo
I have a B20 as well and some interior photos and others are posted on a Balboa26 Yahoo site you can sign up for, if you have not already. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/balboa26-boats/ You will need to sign up to get access to the members only area with photos and chat and lists. There are a few B20 owners there as well as other Balboa sizes that have similarities. You will love sailing the B20 once you get them re-fited and restored!!
I have a B20 as well and some interior photos and others are posted on a Balboa26 Yahoo site you can sign up for, if you have not already. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/balboa26-boats/ You will need to sign up to get access to the members only area with photos and chat and lists. There are a few B20 owners there as well as other Balboa sizes that have similarities. You will love sailing the B20 once you get them re-fited and restored!!
Thanks Paul
sounds like you have some work to do. I also broke the foot of the mast about the second or third time I took her out. Lucky for me I have a friend who can weld aluminum and was sailing again in about a week. although now I have to hook up the wood stove in his garage, fair enough. sailing lake supior about a month ago I totaly blew out my main sail. Now I am using a main off of my buddys leaky dingy. Its 5ft shorter than original but works. I havent done much on the interior yet for I will work on it this winter while it is in storage, which wont be long. So far I havent seen an interior like mine amoung all Ive seen in balboas. It has only a sink, no head or stove, totaly different layout. The rotten wood is at the hull and the top of the benches. I have already cut some treated 1/2" plywood to sit on top of the benches so they are at least usable for this year. I will make them permanent this winter by cutting out the rotten wood. There is still enough good wood to screw the new wood to except for a few suports that I can easaly replace. Im a carpenter so it comes naturaly. My boat doesnt leak in the water but rather in the rain. All the port holes leak, ya thats another thing I also havent seen another balboa with port holes, a few screws threw the deck leak and I have a leak around the vent. nothing a screw driver, vicegrips, and some good silicone cant cure. Oh I also need to make a new tiller after breaking the original about the 8th time out on the big lake, that was a trip. I made a temporary tiller out of a pine 2x4 to keep me sailing. Although it works it isnt very strong and I have to be careful not to put to mutch presure on it. I will make a perminent tiller out of cherry this winter. ? when you crank down your keel do you have a threaded bolt that stickes into the cabin that will accept a nut and a washer, I have the bolt that sticks out under the sink but it never came with the nut or washer so in waves water spits out of the hole whare the bolt comes out and onto the floor.It lookes as though the sink drain hose was fitted over the bolt and into the hole where the bolt comes out. After pluging the hose into the hole it seemed to stop the leak for awile but after a great day of sailing in some good size waves I noticed it was still wanting to leak around the hose. It seems as though something is missing, any suggestions? Thanks again for your info it has been must helpful.
sounds like you have some work to do. I also broke the foot of the mast about the second or third time I took her out. Lucky for me I have a friend who can weld aluminum and was sailing again in about a week. although now I have to hook up the wood stove in his garage, fair enough. sailing lake supior about a month ago I totaly blew out my main sail. Now I am using a main off of my buddys leaky dingy. Its 5ft shorter than original but works. I havent done much on the interior yet for I will work on it this winter while it is in storage, which wont be long. So far I havent seen an interior like mine amoung all Ive seen in balboas. It has only a sink, no head or stove, totaly different layout. The rotten wood is at the hull and the top of the benches. I have already cut some treated 1/2" plywood to sit on top of the benches so they are at least usable for this year. I will make them permanent this winter by cutting out the rotten wood. There is still enough good wood to screw the new wood to except for a few suports that I can easaly replace. Im a carpenter so it comes naturaly. My boat doesnt leak in the water but rather in the rain. All the port holes leak, ya thats another thing I also havent seen another balboa with port holes, a few screws threw the deck leak and I have a leak around the vent. nothing a screw driver, vicegrips, and some good silicone cant cure. Oh I also need to make a new tiller after breaking the original about the 8th time out on the big lake, that was a trip. I made a temporary tiller out of a pine 2x4 to keep me sailing. Although it works it isnt very strong and I have to be careful not to put to mutch presure on it. I will make a perminent tiller out of cherry this winter. ? when you crank down your keel do you have a threaded bolt that stickes into the cabin that will accept a nut and a washer, I have the bolt that sticks out under the sink but it never came with the nut or washer so in waves water spits out of the hole whare the bolt comes out and onto the floor.It lookes as though the sink drain hose was fitted over the bolt and into the hole where the bolt comes out. After pluging the hose into the hole it seemed to stop the leak for awile but after a great day of sailing in some good size waves I noticed it was still wanting to leak around the hose. It seems as though something is missing, any suggestions? Thanks again for your info it has been must helpful.
Balboa 20 Repair/Restoration
Rick, My Balboa has round portholes and your description of the interior seems to suggest that we have essentially the same model boat. In reference to the bolt at the top of the keel, mine is missing the bolt and I will have to drop the keel to install a new one. There is no nut with it so you can use a piece of wood on the bolt to "lock the keel down". If you should hit an underwater obstruction with the keel, the bolt would pull through the wood "nut", reducing the impact of the "grounding" by allowing the keel to swing up and with the bolt pulled through the wooden nut, reduce or minimize the impact on the keel trunk. My sink drained into a bucket that was held in place below the sink via straps around the bucket that were attached at each end to eye-bolts through bolted in the sink cabinet side. I would caution you about the use of silicone as it has little in the way of adhesive characteristics and once dry, may pull away. A good polysulfide sealant would be a better idea. I would be interested in learning about how you will complete the interior repairs. The sink cabinet is so large as to dominate the interior of the cabin. I have been trying to figure out how to remove it, but it is attached to the forward athwarship bulkhead that supports the aft end of the v-berth and also supports the mast compression post. It is one of those times when a single act (removal of the sink cabinet) creates the need for several other related tasks and without a great deal of carpentry experience, I am not sure how to begin or plan my course of action. By the way, if you plan to replace your tiller, you might want to consider using laminated stock rather than a single piece of wood since it would be stronger. I am sorry it has taken this long to respond but hope that we can stay in touch because you have knowledge and skills that will help me in my efforts. Paul.
Rick, My Balboa has round portholes and your description of the interior seems to suggest that we have essentially the same model boat. In reference to the bolt at the top of the keel, mine is missing the bolt and I will have to drop the keel to install a new one. There is no nut with it so you can use a piece of wood on the bolt to "lock the keel down". If you should hit an underwater obstruction with the keel, the bolt would pull through the wood "nut", reducing the impact of the "grounding" by allowing the keel to swing up and with the bolt pulled through the wooden nut, reduce or minimize the impact on the keel trunk. My sink drained into a bucket that was held in place below the sink via straps around the bucket that were attached at each end to eye-bolts through bolted in the sink cabinet side. I would caution you about the use of silicone as it has little in the way of adhesive characteristics and once dry, may pull away. A good polysulfide sealant would be a better idea. I would be interested in learning about how you will complete the interior repairs. The sink cabinet is so large as to dominate the interior of the cabin. I have been trying to figure out how to remove it, but it is attached to the forward athwarship bulkhead that supports the aft end of the v-berth and also supports the mast compression post. It is one of those times when a single act (removal of the sink cabinet) creates the need for several other related tasks and without a great deal of carpentry experience, I am not sure how to begin or plan my course of action. By the way, if you plan to replace your tiller, you might want to consider using laminated stock rather than a single piece of wood since it would be stronger. I am sorry it has taken this long to respond but hope that we can stay in touch because you have knowledge and skills that will help me in my efforts. Paul.
B20 Restoration
I too have a plywood interior Balboa 20. It was in much worse shape than I thought when I bought it, allot of rot at the bottom of the bulkheads. I am in the process of rebuilding it, nothing that plywood and epoxy cannot fix! If there is anything I can help you with please let me know. Les Brush B20 "Odin"
I too have a plywood interior Balboa 20. It was in much worse shape than I thought when I bought it, allot of rot at the bottom of the bulkheads. I am in the process of rebuilding it, nothing that plywood and epoxy cannot fix! If there is anything I can help you with please let me know. Les Brush B20 "Odin"
interior restoration info
Great to read the info. My '76 B-20 sounds like same interior - plywood bunks and v-berth with huge sink/keel/mastpost support console. On the keel lockdown bolt. Mine pulled out of the keel and is just serving to plug the hole in the keel bunk. I keep water from washing in by using a square piece of bike tire intertube folded over a couple times with a slit so it slides over the bolt against the hole. That is the "gasket." This is followed by a small wood block with a hole the size of the bolt that slides on to provide even presure on the hole. This is all kept tight with a large wing nut. No leaks!! On ripping out the console: I would not do it even though it takes up a lot of space. It is a critical structural piece. I optimize the space in there by cramming a large soft/flexible cooler that will hold ice and drinks and other food provisions. My pots and pans and other food related crap also gets put in that space as well. I also took some oak "galley rail" I bought at the home depot and made a little 3-sided rail that is screwed on top of that cabinet just under the window against the starboard side. It holds a fair amount of loose stuff while under way (flashlight, handhelds, smokes, shades, etc). I also use the sink to hold various small odds and ends. In all, I think the cabinet, while a bit too large, is a feature that serves as an organizer.
Great to read the info. My '76 B-20 sounds like same interior - plywood bunks and v-berth with huge sink/keel/mastpost support console. On the keel lockdown bolt. Mine pulled out of the keel and is just serving to plug the hole in the keel bunk. I keep water from washing in by using a square piece of bike tire intertube folded over a couple times with a slit so it slides over the bolt against the hole. That is the "gasket." This is followed by a small wood block with a hole the size of the bolt that slides on to provide even presure on the hole. This is all kept tight with a large wing nut. No leaks!! On ripping out the console: I would not do it even though it takes up a lot of space. It is a critical structural piece. I optimize the space in there by cramming a large soft/flexible cooler that will hold ice and drinks and other food provisions. My pots and pans and other food related crap also gets put in that space as well. I also took some oak "galley rail" I bought at the home depot and made a little 3-sided rail that is screwed on top of that cabinet just under the window against the starboard side. It holds a fair amount of loose stuff while under way (flashlight, handhelds, smokes, shades, etc). I also use the sink to hold various small odds and ends. In all, I think the cabinet, while a bit too large, is a feature that serves as an organizer.
To Marquette, Mi
I am a novice sailor as well and I just picked up a 20' and have a a lot of questions as to the rigging so if you have anything please let me know. I also purchased "Sailing for Dummies" great reference book gave a lot of info about many aspects I wasn't aware of.
I am a novice sailor as well and I just picked up a 20' and have a a lot of questions as to the rigging so if you have anything please let me know. I also purchased "Sailing for Dummies" great reference book gave a lot of info about many aspects I wasn't aware of.
same as where to put a porta potti
My wife and I have a B 20 with the same interior. Although that big sink unit in the cabin takes up a lot of space, we have learned to live with it. We use the boat primarily as a daysailer so the cabin isn't used that much. This year we are adding a portable head - we haven't decided where yet. Does anyone have a suggestion? Happy New Year and good sailing to all this season/ Frank
My wife and I have a B 20 with the same interior. Although that big sink unit in the cabin takes up a lot of space, we have learned to live with it. We use the boat primarily as a daysailer so the cabin isn't used that much. This year we are adding a portable head - we haven't decided where yet. Does anyone have a suggestion? Happy New Year and good sailing to all this season/ Frank
Definitely not
on deck!
Probably in a space that will allow some handholds. That is not the time to discover the those big power cruisers throw up a huge wake. Frank asked; This year we are adding a portable head - we haven't decided where yet. Does anyone have a suggestion?
on deck!
Probably in a space that will allow some handholds. That is not the time to discover the those big power cruisers throw up a huge wake. Frank asked; This year we are adding a portable head - we haven't decided where yet. Does anyone have a suggestion?- Status