Best Pocket Cruiser under 23ft?

[henrynlouisville]

Well...I made an offer on a 1987 Catalina 22 on Saturday.
The owners did not take the offer.
I saw an ad today on a 1974 Balboa 26 and bought it four hours later.

It looks to be in pretty good condition considering the age.
It has three or four sails, nice trailer, and 2001 Honda 9.9.
Bought it for $3000.

I don't know anything about this brand.

Do you guys think I did alright on this boat?
Does anyone have a positive/negative opinion on this model?
ALL COMMENTS WELCOME!



Thanks,
henrynlouisville

[voodooacrobat]

Here's my two cents.... (and I'll probably get change back).

I have a Westerly Cirrus 22', a very well-built British Pocket Cruiser. My review of it is on this site under "Boat Reviews". I'm still lovin' her a lot!

[Sailormann]

They are excellent boats. Designed by Lyle Hess and very capable sailors. You got the boat very cheaply, so you need to be prepared to spend some money on her as there are doubtless a fewe things that will need attending to. Get a survey done so that you can prioritise things and get the important stuff done before the merely cosmetic.

An excellent boat though, and if you maintain her well and keep her tiddly you'll probably end up able to sell her for more than you paid.

Congratulations.

[mstern]

If she floats without sinking, the engine works, the sails are serviceable and the trailer is roadworthy, that was a good deal. Welcome to the club! And thanks for keeping us updated on your search.

[JohnRPollard]

Congrats Henry!

We usually recommend getting a survey first before plunking the money down, but in your case it sounds like you got a good deal and are willing to accept some risk with that. Can't tell much about her condition from a single photo, but she sure looks nice!

My only other comment is to make sure your truck is rated for that much tow weight (don't forget to include weight of trailer). It's not so much the pulling, as it is the stopping.

Best of luck!

[bobmcgov]

Good boat, extremely seaworthy, plenty of room below. Should be real stable for the family, with simple systems (less stuff to break). Heavy, so probably not a real Tinkerbell around the buoys, but a fine choice for fambly cruising and a great price. Might want to tow it to a truck scales and see how much it really weighs on the trailer. Bet it's close to 6000 lbs. Not a problem as such, just something it's good to know re: trailer brakes, transmissions, etc. Good find!

[blt2ski]

This months Sailing magazine has an article by a couple that have sailed there B26 for many miles, and as I recall, have written a few articles about cruising in the B26.

Even if you have to sink 3-5G into her, you will have a good TS style boat.

Marty

[henrynlouisville]

Hello All.

I really went over her today and found a few things.
The person helping me is familiar with this model.

He really looked hard at the box that surrounds the drop rudder.
He said it was solid.

The only problem is softness in the fiberglass at the chain plate and the fastener where the slide attaches for the boom.
It is only soft on the port side.
It is not soft to walk on the deck at all...just if you really press your thumb around where these plates are fastened.
I have decided to just get some stainless backing plates (or wood) and back plate from the interior.
This should reinforce this area just fine for many, many years.

Also, what really seems to concern this guy was the fact that it has a four inch dimple (depression) in the mast...about two feet from the top.
I don't see why...doesn't seem like a big deal to me.
Someone totally covered this dimple by wrapping a rope around the mast to tie it down to the stern support.

The keel wire looks good.

Looks like the boat should be fine for this area.
I think that the key is to spend as little as possible and just acclimate myself to sailing.

[atrometer]

Somewhat biased, but there is no larger 22' boat than the Nonsuch - comfort you got it. Built very well, sails well and easy. Can be trailored, but not easily. Over 10K

[elcap373]

I can vouch for the ODay 25. My wife and I owned one years ago. Sailed her out of Seward, Alaska. Had many grand adventures. The fellow I bought her from lived on her in Homer, Alaska - while working 2 on - 2 off on the North Slope. Fun boat, easy to single hand, comfortable below - for a 25.