Friday, July 24, 2009

A beautiful 20 foot boat.
Coastal Recreation Balboa 20 For Sale $4000

If you ever dreamed of going cruising either alone or with a friend, here is a chance to get started at reasonable cost. Most people think they can buy a boat and go cruising. The reality is that a boat requires a great deal of preparation before you can live aboard and be prepared for what may come your way.

A sound boat is important. The Balboa was designed by Lyle Hess. The 800 pound 4 foot swing keel means that it is stable, but can handle 16 inches of water and be easily trailered. You can see lots of info about the Balboa 20 including the sales brochure at:
http://cliffunruh.com/balboa20.htm

It was built before it was realized how strong fiberglass epoxy construction is. It is very sturdily built. She has main, jib, genoa, and spinnaker. Light air is much more likely than heavy. Being able to reef the main easily allows handling the heavy winds that might occur. A Bulwagga anchor on a bow roller allows you to sleep easily. An auto tiller pilot lets you make a sandwich without stopping. A swim platform and ladder means you can get back into the boat if you fall overboard. (Try getting back into whatever boat you are contemplating. If you sail solo, a removable ladder stored below is useless.) If it gets rough, a harness and tether along with strong attachment points are important to keep you in the boat.

Honalee has had many modifications and equipment additions to make her a good cruising boat.

Sailing: Running lights placed where they can be seen. Boom vang, adjustable down haul, and mainsheet redesigned for the main. Car track for the genoa. A dousing line on the jib. An adjustable spinnaker pole ring, pole uphaul and downhaul, guy clips, and a spinnaker sock allow single handing a spinnaker. A 6 horse Evinrude, and ventilated locker for 6 gal fuel tank when sailpower won't do.

Safety: Compass, Mapping GPS, VHF radio, depth gauge, flare gun, backing plates on all deck mounted equipment, cockpit mounted manual bilge pump, electric automatic bilge pump in front compartment with indicator light, heavy grab rails on cabin roof, heavy cleats bow and stern, docklines and fenders.

Living:Sleeping space for 3, planned storage for equipment and supplies, anchor rode locker, butane stove, hot water storage, porta potty, 15 gallon water tank and pump, solar heated shower, insect screens. Inflatable dingy, manual and 12v inflators, eating utensils, tools and spares. Foul weather gear. Boom tent. Complete East Coast charts from Canada to Cape May, NJ.

A custom trailer with disk brakes allows you to cruise at 60 MPH.

I'm sure I have missed a few items, but you get the idea. There is a lot required for cruising beyond the boat. It is in the water now. Come try it out.



Contact stormc at iname.com