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Sail Specs & Dimensions

Balboa 20 Sails

Sail dimensions, sail area, rig measurements and used sails for sale — Balboa 20 (Lyle C. Hess/Richard Arthur design).

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Rigging Dimensions

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

I ?
1.58 ft
J ?
8.80 ft
P ?
ft
E ?
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
100% ForetriangleI × J ÷ 2 7.0 0.6
150% GenoaTypical light-air headsail 10.4 1.0
Storm Jib~50% of foretriangle, high-cut 3.5 0.3
Symmetric SpinnakerEstimated from I, J 25.0 2.3
Total Working Sail AreaMain + 100% foretriangle

Foretriangle Diagram

Scale diagram unavailable — I, J, P, and E measurements are not all published for the Balboa 20.

Performance Ratios

How the Balboa 20 carries its sail relative to its displacement.

SA/D Ratio
19.6
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
26%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier.

Typical Sail Inventory

What Balboa 20 owners usually carry and what's worth buying used vs. new.

Mainsail — ft²
Dacron cross-cut with 2 reef points is standard. Full-batten is a common upgrade.
Replace new
150% Genoa 10.4 ft²
The workhorse headsail. Most boats have one on a furler by now.
Replace new
110% Working Jib ~8 ft²
Good secondary sail for breezy days — used market is strong.
Buy used
Storm Jib 3.5 ft²
Bright orange recommended. Rarely used, hard to justify new.
Buy used
Asymmetric Spinnaker ~25 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 20 — Dacron, laminate, and cruising performance tiers.

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