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Balboa 22
Designer: W. Shad Turner / William M. Downing  ·  Builder: Coastal Recreation  ·  First built: 1977
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About the Balboa 22

Finding detailed information about the Balboa 22 can be challenging, as this sailboat represents one of the lesser-documented designs in the 22-foot category. Despite limited available specifications, this compact sailboat appears to have been designed with recreational sailing in mind, likely targeting entry-level sailors and those seeking an affordable pathway into the sport. Based on its size class, the Balboa 22 would be well-suited for protected waters, day sailing, and coastal cruising in moderate conditions. Boats in this category typically offer a good balance of manageable handling and basic accommodation, making them popular choices for sailing instruction, family outings, and weekend adventures. The relative obscurity of detailed specifications suggests this may have been a smaller production run or regional design, which isn't uncommon among boats from certain eras when many manufacturers experimented with various hull forms and layouts. For prospective buyers researching the Balboa 22, connecting with sailing communities, boat clubs, or previous owners would likely yield the most valuable insights about the boat's sailing characteristics, build quality, and practical considerations for ownership.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 21.58 ft / 6.58 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Min Draft 1.25 ft / 0.38 m
Displacement 1,980.00 lb / 898 kg
Ballast 600.00 lb / 272 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 206.00 ft² / 19.14 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer W. Shad Turner / William M. Downing
Builder Coastal Recreation
First Built 1977
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
20.95
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
9.69
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
2.55
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. 5.84
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. 543.11
How It Compares

vs. Chrysler 22 Fk, Hunter 22, Windrose 22

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Balboa 22 ★
21.6 ft
Chrysler 22 Fk
21.6 ft
Hunter 22
21.5 ft
Windrose 22
21.6 ft
LWL
Balboa 22 ★
19.0 ft
Chrysler 22 Fk
19.0 ft
Hunter 22
18.5 ft
Windrose 22
19.0 ft
Beam
Balboa 22 ★
8.0 ft
Chrysler 22 Fk
7.8 ft
Hunter 22
8.0 ft
Windrose 22
8.0 ft
Displacement
Balboa 22 ★
1 lbs
Chrysler 22 Fk
3 lbs
Hunter 22
2 lbs
Windrose 22
1 lbs
Ballast
Balboa 22 ★
600 lbs
Chrysler 22 Fk
725 lbs
Hunter 22
1 lbs
Windrose 22
600 lbs
Sail Area
Balboa 22 ★
206 sq ft
Chrysler 22 Fk
Hunter 22
213 sq ft
Windrose 22
206 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Balboa 22 ★
Chrysler 22 Fk
Hunter 22
252 s/nm
Windrose 22
246 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Balboa 22 ★
21.0
Chrysler 22 Fk
Hunter 22
17.8
Windrose 22
21.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Balboa 22 ★
Chrysler 22 Fk
Hunter 22
37.7 %
Windrose 22
30.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Balboa 22 ★
9.7
Chrysler 22 Fk
15.3
Hunter 22
13.1
Windrose 22
9.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Balboa 22 ★
2.55
Chrysler 22 Fk
2.15
Hunter 22
2.32
Windrose 22
2.55
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Balboa 22 ★
Chrysler 22 Fk
Hunter 22
186
Windrose 22
128
Hull Speed
Balboa 22 ★
5.8 kts
Chrysler 22 Fk
5.8 kts
Hunter 22
5.8 kts
Windrose 22
5.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Balboa 22 ★
Chrysler 22 Fk
2.7
Hunter 22
Windrose 22
4.3
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