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Balboa 16
Designer: W. Shad Turner  ·  Builder: Coastal Recreation (Usa)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Balboa 16

Designed by W. Shad Turner and built by Coastal Recreation starting in 1981, this compact fiberglass sloop represents an interesting approach to small boat sailing. With its masthead sloop rig and fin keel configuration paired with a transom-hung rudder, the Balboa 16 offers responsive handling characteristics that make it well-suited for day sailing and coastal exploration. The boat's proportions reveal a design focused on stability and ease of handling. At 1,000 pounds displacement with 400 pounds of ballast, it carries sufficient weight low in the hull to provide good initial stability while remaining light enough for easy trailering. The generous beam of 7.5 feet creates a stable platform and maximizes cockpit space, making it comfortable for small crews or sailing instruction. With 117 square feet of sail area and a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.75, the Balboa 16 delivers adequate performance in light to moderate conditions typical of protected waters and nearshore sailing. The low comfort ratio of 7 and capsize screening formula of 3 clearly identify this as a boat intended for day sailing rather than extended cruising, making it an ideal choice for sailors seeking an affordable, trailerable boat for weekend adventures and skill development.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 14.67 ft / 4.47 m
Beam 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Max Draft 2.42 ft / 0.74 m
Displacement 1,000.00 lb / 454 kg
Ballast 400.00 lb / 181 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 117.00 ft² / 10.87 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer W. Shad Turner
Builder Coastal Recreation (USA)
First Built 1981
Related Sailboats ["Com Pac 16" · "Precision 165" · "Laguna 16" · "Tanzer 16" · "Ds 16"]
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.75
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 40
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 141.4
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 7
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 3
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.13 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.76
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 393.13 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.75
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
SA Fore 65.00 ft² / 6.04 m²
SA Main 52.00 ft² / 4.83 m²
SA Total (100%) 117.00 ft² / 10.87 m²
Est. Forestay Length 21.03 ft / 6.41 m
How It Compares

vs. Laguna 16, Precision 165, Tanzer 16

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Balboa 16 ★
16.0 ft
Laguna 16
16.0 ft
Precision 165
16.4 ft
Tanzer 16
16.3 ft
LWL
Balboa 16 ★
14.7 ft
Laguna 16
14.7 ft
Precision 165
15.3 ft
Tanzer 16
15.3 ft
Beam
Balboa 16 ★
7.5 ft
Laguna 16
7.4 ft
Precision 165
7.2 ft
Tanzer 16
6.2 ft
Displacement
Balboa 16 ★
1 lbs
Laguna 16
1 lbs
Precision 165
750 lbs
Tanzer 16
450 lbs
Ballast
Balboa 16 ★
400 lbs
Laguna 16
400 lbs
Precision 165
250 lbs
Tanzer 16
—
Sail Area
Balboa 16 ★
117 sq ft
Laguna 16
117 sq ft
Precision 165
159 sq ft
Tanzer 16
—
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Balboa 16 ★
18.8
Laguna 16
18.8
Precision 165
30.9
Tanzer 16
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Balboa 16 ★
40.0 %
Laguna 16
40.0 %
Precision 165
33.3 %
Tanzer 16
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Balboa 16 ★
7.0
Laguna 16
7.1
Precision 165
5.4
Tanzer 16
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Balboa 16 ★
3.00
Laguna 16
2.97
Precision 165
3.15
Tanzer 16
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Balboa 16 ★
141
Laguna 16
141
Precision 165
94
Tanzer 16
56
Hull Speed
Balboa 16 ★
5.1 kts
Laguna 16
5.1 kts
Precision 165
5.2 kts
Tanzer 16
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Balboa 16 ★
3.8
Laguna 16
—
Precision 165
5.6
Tanzer 16
—
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