Back to Search
Balboa 20
Designer: Lyle C. Hess/Richard Arthur  ·  Builder: Arthur Marine/Coastal Recreation, Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1967
+ Add to Compare
About the Balboa 20

With limited documentation available, the Balboa 20 represents one of those intriguing smaller sailboats that sailed somewhat under the radar of mainstream boating publications. This 20-foot sailboat appears to have been designed primarily for recreational day sailing and weekend cruising, fitting into the popular small cruiser category that flourished during the latter half of the 20th century. Based on typical boats of this size and era, the Balboa 20 likely features a compact cabin arrangement suitable for overnight adventures by a small crew. The boat's proportions suggest it was built with coastal and protected water sailing in mind, making it an accessible choice for sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising without the complexity of larger vessels. Small sailboats like the Balboa 20 often excel as training platforms for developing sailing skills, while still offering enough comfort for short-term cruising adventures. The limited availability of detailed specifications today suggests this was likely a smaller production run or regional design, which can make these boats interesting finds for sailors looking for something distinctive yet practical for near-shore exploration and relaxed sailing experiences.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$1,200 – $5,000
typical asking price
Median $3,000  ·  8 listings used
All listings
$1,200 – $5,000 8
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 17.50 ft / 5.33 m
Beam 7.08 ft / 2.16 m
Max Draft 4.42 ft / 1.35 m
Displacement 1,700.00 lb / 771 kg
Ballast 450.00 lb / 204 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Lyle C. Hess/Richard Arthur
Builder Arthur Marine/Coastal Recreation, Inc. (USA)
First Built 1967
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
276
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
26.47
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
141.61
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. 2.66 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 1.58 ft / 0.48 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.80 ft / 2.68 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 174.00 ft² / 16.17 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 141.61
How It Compares

vs. Cal 20, Ranger 20, Santana 20

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Balboa 20 ★
20.0 ft
Cal 20
20.0 ft
Ranger 20
20.0 ft
Santana 20
20.2 ft
LWL
Balboa 20 ★
17.5 ft
Cal 20
18.0 ft
Ranger 20
16.0 ft
Santana 20
16.0 ft
Beam
Balboa 20 ★
7.1 ft
Cal 20
7.0 ft
Ranger 20
7.9 ft
Santana 20
8.0 ft
Displacement
Balboa 20 ★
1 lbs
Cal 20
1 lbs
Ranger 20
1 lbs
Santana 20
1 lbs
Ballast
Balboa 20 ★
450 lbs
Cal 20
900 lbs
Ranger 20
550 lbs
Santana 20
550 lbs
Sail Area
Balboa 20 ★
Cal 20
195 sq ft
Ranger 20
Santana 20
204 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Balboa 20 ★
276 s/nm
Cal 20
258 s/nm
Ranger 20
240 s/nm
Santana 20
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Balboa 20 ★
Cal 20
20.0
Ranger 20
Santana 20
26.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Balboa 20 ★
26.5 %
Cal 20
Ranger 20
36.7 %
Santana 20
40.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Balboa 20 ★
Cal 20
12.1
Ranger 20
Santana 20
7.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Balboa 20 ★
Cal 20
2.24
Ranger 20
Santana 20
2.90
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Balboa 20 ★
141
Cal 20
Ranger 20
163
Santana 20
147
Hull Speed
Balboa 20 ★
Cal 20
5.7 kts
Ranger 20
Santana 20
5.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Balboa 20 ★
Cal 20
3.8
Ranger 20
Santana 20
4.4
Find a Balboa 20 For Sale