Balboa 20

[cs]

Wanted to drop in and tell you about my new project. I have found a Balboa 20 stuck in the woods. I talked with the owner and he gave it to me, as in free.

The Balboa 20 was designed by Lyle Hess and comes from the late 60's early 70's. This one is in better shape than the photo indicates. I haven't gotten the sails yet. They are suppossed to be in storage. I'm hoping that the boom and rudder is with the sails. I found the tiller or what was left of it. When I finally got the boat out of the woods it was knee deep in pine needles and bilge was full of dark brown water. Here is a shot after I started cleaning the pine needles off of the deck.

After spending some time at the car wash I managed to get her cleaned up a little. I still need to finish stripping the cabin before I can do a real good assesment of where I'm at.

I need to get her off the trailer so I can do a good inspection of the swing keel. She will need to be painted and the interior completly re-done. But this is a boat with a great designer and suppossed to be an excellent sailor.

Chad

[Howard]

Chad:

I sail a Montgomery 17, also a Hess designed boat. Sails very well. The guy I bought mine from attempted to sail her from SF Bay to Hawaii, got 3 days out and decided to turn back. The boat might have made it, but he really wasn't ready for that kind of trip. No self steering. Navigation was one hand held GPS. The old original sails with only 1 reef in the main. No lifelines. You get the idea.

Anyway, we have a Balboa 26 on our docks and she looks very good. Have never seen her under sail, so I can't say how she performs.

Your boat looks so much better cleaned up than the original pictures. I turned down the same kind of deal on a Balboa about 2 years ago. She looked to be a derelict the lady wanted out of her yard. I decided free was too much price to pay considering the condition that boat was in.

Have fun and keep us informed of your progress.

[cs]

I'm hoping tonight that I can get started on stripping the cabin. I've been working this in with a canoe I've designed for my daughter, but last night I used the last of my epoxy and awaiting the next shipment, so now I can work on the Balboa.

BTW here is a photo of her canoe I'm building.

Chad

[barnacle5]

I had one of those for 12 years. best sailing swingkeel boat I ever owned. sold it to Knut Garshol right on the board here . wish I still had her though. good luck with her. barnacle bill in KY