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Sail Specs & Dimensions

Balboa 16 Sails

Sail dimensions, sail area, rig measurements and used sails for sale — Balboa 16 (W. Shad Turner design).

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Rigging Dimensions

The four foretriangle measurements sailmakers need to quote a new suit.

I ?
20.00 ft
J ?
6.50 ft
P ?
16.00 ft
E ?
6.50 ft

Sail Area Breakdown

Calculated from rigging dimensions. Use these as your starting point when ordering a new suit.

SailArea (ft²)Area (m²)
MainsailP × E ÷ 2 52.0 4.8
100% ForetriangleI × J ÷ 2 65.0 6.0
150% GenoaTypical light-air headsail 97.5 9.1
Storm Jib~50% of foretriangle, high-cut 32.5 3.0
Symmetric SpinnakerEstimated from I, J 234.0 21.7
Total Working Sail AreaMain + 100% foretriangle 117.0 10.9

Foretriangle Diagram

P 16.0′ E 6.5′ I 20.0′ J 6.5′ Main Foretriangle
Drawn to scale from published I, J, P, E measurements — Masthead Sloop · W. Shad Turner design

Performance Ratios

How the Balboa 16 carries its sail relative to its displacement.

SA/D Ratio
18.8
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early in a blow.
Mast Height (above DWL)
ft
Air draft not published — measure yours before any bridge transit.
Ballast Ratio
40%
Stiff enough to carry a 150% genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.

Typical Sail Inventory

What Balboa 16 owners usually carry and what's worth buying used vs. new.

Mainsail 52.0 ft²
Dacron cross-cut with 2 reef points is standard. Full-batten is a common upgrade.
Replace new
150% Genoa 97.5 ft²
The workhorse headsail. Most boats have one on a furler by now.
Replace new
110% Working Jib ~72 ft²
Good secondary sail for breezy days — used market is strong.
Buy used
Storm Jib 32.5 ft²
Bright orange recommended. Rarely used, hard to justify new.
Buy used
Asymmetric Spinnaker ~234 ft²
Popular downwind upgrade — easier than symmetric for shorthanded sailing.
Optional

Replacement Cost Estimator

Get a rough price range for a new mainsail and genoa for the Balboa 16 — Dacron, laminate, and cruising performance tiers.

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