DjY887, I tried to find out more info on the Balboa 16 but came up short. Some of the best (and scariest) "cruising" I have done was on my little American 16. Those days were so much more simple (and less expensive) than my fully found 30 footer. Getting my 30 underway from the dock seems like more work than trailering, rigging and launching the 16 for a daysail...
Does it have a fully enclosed cabin? It sounds like it has a ballasted keel. That has got to add a lot to the safety factor. Do you day sail or micro-cruise?
Here are some pictures of my "good old days"
I was so freaking broke back then... (crap.. broke now too
but still sailing)