Balboa 27/8.2 Owners?

[Jmandre]

Just thought I'd say hi to everyone and ask if there are any other Balboa 27 owners out there? I've been living aboard and refitting my Balboa 27 for about a year now (currently fitting a new transom arch).  A few more of the big items on the refit list and she'll be ready to start some trials on the Sacramento delta and SF Bay.


J. Andre

[Jim_ME]

Welcome Jmandre.

A SF search gave this post from Dec 2009 SeaDogDave...
http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=575.msg29127#msg29127
where he writes that he has a Balboa 27, then for sale.  Dave may have sold the boat by now, but may have some experience and knowledge about the boat that would be helpful to you.

I'm not very familiar with the Balboa 27 so looked online and found this link to an (former) ad for one, with photos...
http://sailingtexas.com/201301/sbalboa27101.html

and of course the Sailboat Data page on the boat
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=644
to learn that she is a Lyle Hess design (designer of the 28 ft LOD Bristol Channel Cutter)

With its 8-foot beam, 2.5 foot (centerboard up) draft, and under 5k pounds base weight, it seems within the limits of what is trailerable without heroic measures and tow vehicles.

Good luck with your transom arch and other projects, and sea trials.

[Jmandre]

Hi Jim, thanks for the welcome.. :)

I've found a few threads here and there on the 27, but not much other than a few owner websites.  It was only designed as a coastal cruiser, but was drawn up around the same time period with the Nor'Sea was being developed.  On paper at least, my 27 compares very favorably with the Albin Vega (performance and safety numbers).  At the very least, I know (from my refitting activities) that she is quite heavily built and has some really interesting potential with her integral keel (a bit longer than a normal fin keel) and the tuneable centerboard.  We'll see how she behaves very soon now, once I finish up a few more items.  For a 27 footer, she certainly has a lot of room belowdecks and is quite comfortable for one at least.

I'll have to follow up with SeaDogDave and see if he's got any additional insights into the 27.

Thanks again.  Glad to have found you folks.  This forum certainly seems to be much more down to earth than a few of the others I've found, and a lot less focused on spending zillions on the latest boat/gear.


J. Andre

[Jim_ME]

Glad that you've joined SailFar, Jared. :)

Again, good luck with your projects. You're welcome to post photos and description of any that want to share, or want any ideas about, in the Boat Bits section.

As you may already know, SailFar has some members on the West Coast that you may be able meetup with at some point. Here's the Cruising Stations List...
http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=3318.0

[Ripple]

We have a group of three Balboa 27s here in Portland Oregon, it's a pretty freindly group and the three boats are in widely varying condition.  I've had mine for nine years but the other two have been owned longer and sailed more by their current owners.  The B27 is a great ramp launchable sailboat, maybe one of the best but it does have it's sailing quirks owing to it's narrow beam, a "boatload" of windage and that strange tumblehome to the hull that makes it not want to go straight when it heels any amount under power. 

Ok, so that last part only seems to bug me and not my two friends but it's there nonetheless.  There are better boats for going coastal in Oregon/Washington but it's just fine for calmer waters like S. Cal, Chesapeake, Gulf etc.  Like most light boats it's hard to carry enough sail to keep it punching through waves when the wind gets up into 25 - 35 range.  But it does 55 to weather behind my truck like nothing else I've ever owned.

Let me know how you like yours so far.  mw.brodesser@gmail.com

[Jmandre]

Hi Ripple, thanks for the reply!  Glad to hear a few are out there still actively sailing these.  I'll drop you a line on your email, it would be good to see what you guys have done with your boats and get ideas for improving on my old girl.


J. Andre

[garbonz]

I just stumbled upon this post and site, and am gratified to hear there are still a few 8.2's out there.  My 1979 is the Keel centerboard and has a BMW 6hp inboard.  I just love the boat.  I am a former owner and moderator of the Nor'sea 27 yahoo group and I love the Nor'sea, but I am not crossing oceans and find the 8.2 more suitable, with a better layout and easier towing/launching.  There is another 8.2 not to far from me also.

[Seadogdave]

I noticed my name mentioned by Jim in this thread, so I thought I would report on the Balboa I used to own.  I traded my Paceship 23 and trailer for two boats - a Catalina 27 and a Balboa 27 several years ago.  I got to work fixing them up and then the next summer my brother in law and wife from Holland took the Balboa while my wife and I took the Catalina and we took a couple of weeks buddy boat sailing around the Chesapeake Bay.  We really liked the Balboa - very roomy, easy to sail, and lots of fun.  She had the swing keel and I put a Honda 8 hp on the stern.  After the trip I sold her for $3500 and I still continue fixing up my Catalina 27.  Good luck with your Balboa!

[garbonz]

Anything going on the Balboa 27 world?  It's been more than a year.

[Beufford]

Wow, there are other 8.2 owners out there.  I thought I was the only one.  I understand that this post is a couple years old, but gotta start somewhere.

[Jmandre]

Not a whole lot to report on my end, aside from a trip through the desert coming home last year from California. Had to finish a few things on the little house I built for myself, but I'll be getting back to the Balboa soon

[CharlieJ]

 ;D

The boats seem to be patient- they wait for us to figure THEY are the life

;D

[Jmandre]

Have you ever seen a sailboat in the desert? Now you have!

[CharlieJ]

Better find a deeper ramp :D

[Jmandre]

Fwiw, lots of upgrades planned in the next year, and then back on the water. This time the Central Gulf Coast

[CharlieJ]

Where? I'm on the gulf Coast and have sailed it ALL,, several times

[Jmandre]

Home is around Baton Rouge, but I'm looking seriously at getting a slip in the Bay St Louis, MS Marina. Easy access from the house, easy Gulf access. I'm still very much learning ropes and cutting my teeth on beach cats and such, but in the coming years I'll be spending more and more time on the water. My B27 made a better-than-expected live aboard over the last couple of years, and I've got some serious upgrades planned for her.

[CharlieJ]

Hey- was in the new marina in Bay St Louis last July. REALLY changed since the storms. Had food in the restaurant. Nice spot, but otherwise no reason to be there, for me. Well the waitress was gorgeous, but she had a boy friend :)

[Jmandre]

Ha!  Yeah, I was relatively impressed with the new facility as well. Beats the heck out of Grand Isle La... ;)

[CharlieJ]

Got friends in the Franklin area- coon asses, but hey:)  also in New Iberia