Thoughts on a 1975 Balboa 20'?

Benny · Oct 23, 2010

Your assesment is quite correct. Good sailer and easy to trailer, launch and retreive. The boat can handle strong winds and is quite fast. I would hardly consider it a comfortable overnight boat for two, much less for four as you have to squat down inside the cabin and there is not much room. The 5HP should be more than adequate to move the boat. The boat has an iron ballasted swing keel and it being almost 35 years old its condition and the condition of the keel trunk and assembly could be crucial. The price seems a little steep even if the 5HP engine is new. Check the condition of the sails as if they are original they are probably blown out by now. Also check the cabin top for soft spots. Of course the condition of the trailer is also important. I'm not familiar with the West Coast market and much less MT but my price for the boat in good shape, with good sails, good trailer and a fairly new motor would be $2,500.

Freedom77 · Oct 24, 2010

Friend of mine had a Balboa 20 about the same year. He, his wife and two teenage daughters used to sail to Catalina with us and although a little cozy did okay for a few days roughing it. Sold him the Spinnaker off my V222 and he kicked some major fanny. He was able to store it in his two car garage, parked it cattycorner. Sure saved on the weathering. Always looked new. One time in Mission Bay we sailed it right onto the trailer. Fair Winds...

Barnacle Bill · Oct 25, 2010

The Balboa 20 was designed by Lyle Hess and he (now departed) had a reputation for building small boats that were capable of coastal and offshore use. The B20 is one of these. The boat sales very well and is well built. It lacks interior space, however. It sleeps 4 people, but even the sitting headroom is slight. So, you have to try the boat out for size to make sure there is enough interior for your purposes.

Stu Jackson · Oct 26, 2010

The book Sailing Illustrated, by Pat Royce, has good descriptions of the balboas and the C22 as examples of good small boats. Also provides very good information of what to look for and how to rig for safety.

WM usually has one in stock, so go take a look at one just to review before you buy the book. It was our "only" sailing book back in the early 80's and has lots of good information about sailing very small boats that remains pertinent today.

Goomba · Oct 26, 2010

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/balboa-20-a-7045.html

Don't know much about the Balboa 20, just knew I heard about it, and here is the post from another forum that I saw.

Best of luck.

Ray Bowles · Oct 26, 2010

Montana, I'm not too far from your area. We are NE Washington, 80 miles north of Spokane so I'm quite aware of the local market. That price for that model boat and of that age is really a bit much.
There have been nicely equiped catalina 22's for the same price and they were newer. Catalina 25's for 5 to 6 thousand.
A very popular boat here is the San Juan 23's. Last year there were 6 sailing out of my marina. These have sold for $5,ooo nicely equiped. They are vastly better in size and performance. We regularly spend up to a week out on ours in comfort.
All these boats have or had trailers and are pulled with 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pickups.
Take the time to look in N. Idaho. The Bitter End marina in Bayview is a good start and then there is Coeur d'Alene.
I think you also have (I think it is called) Sailboats of Montana on Flathead Lake that would walk you through the pits and proud moments of sailboat manufacturers. I would search the Denver market also. I have bought 2 boats from The Anchorage. I think they are in Boulder now.
If I can help out more just ask.
Good Luck, Ray

bffatcat · Oct 27, 2010

balboa 20 comments

A friend at my club had one about 25 years ago. I sailed on it several times. It was a decent sailor and well built. He liked to go overnighting on it with his wife but complained about the cramped cabin and finally sold it and bought a hunter 27