BALBOA 23
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 22.67 ft |
| LWL | 21.17 ft |
| Beam | 7.92 ft |
| Draft | 4.58 ft/ 1.08 ft min |
| Displacement | 2,500 lb |
| Ballast | 815 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 22 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 8.7 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 23.7 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10.3 ft |
| FLforestay | 8.7 ft |
| Mainsail | 227.5 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 95.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 162.7 sq ft |
About the BALBOA 23
Formerly the AQUARIUS 23. With pop up hatch up, headroom is 6.17'
The Balboa 23 is a compact fractional sloop designed by Peter Barrett and built by Coastal Recreation Inc. (USA) in 1969. With a hull count listed as ?, this vessel represents a specific era of American small-craft design, featuring a LOA of 22.67 ft and a lightweight displacement of 2500.0 lb.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors seeking a manageable, trailerable package that is easy to single-hand or manage with a small crew. Its light displacement and fractional rig make it responsive for local bay and harbor sailing rather than heavy offshore work.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 2500.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.34, the Balboa 23 is not suited for serious bluewater passage-making but is adequate for protected coastal waters. Its light weight and fin keel configuration prioritize performance in light winds over heavy-weather stability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Catalina 22 and O'Day 23, which share similar dimensions and target the same entry-level cruising market. These vessels are comparable due to their similar LOA (approx. 22-23 ft), fractional sloop rigs, and focus on ease of handling for novice sailors.
Direct variant of the BALBOA 23
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the BALBOA 23 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 22.67ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
2 reported issues across 1 systems for the BALBOA 23, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BALBOA 23? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 2 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your BALBOA 23?
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Used sails that fit the BALBOA 23
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…