I have a Howatt Balboa coming from a trade.Never see them much.If you own one what say you.

Larry Hatfield likely built it or will know who did. Think he is still in Cambodia but when he sees this he will respond. There are others as well.

DDave

Post all the pics you can please. That will help us very much.

DDave

Just used the search feature. They sound like a great bow. A great short bow.

DDave

Sorry , I never learned how to post. It is 58 inches 44 lbs. at 28 inches,and a one piece solid riser. Just looks to me like a basic recurve with no frills. Not what we are used to seeing in Damon Howatt recurves. I would say entry level bow, but thought i would ask if any of you guys owned, and shot one. Does not take much to make me happy so i know i will like it. Thanks.

It reminded me of a shorter Cavalier model. I had one for awhile in my shop in a previous century. I shot it several times while it was there and found it to be very fast relative to others of that length and profile. You'll have to shoot it yourself to really know if you like it or not.

George and I talked on a Pm, and said it was pretty good bow.George, I shoot a Browning Nomad, an x18 ,Samick Sage, Ben Pearson Cougar, Ben Pearson Apex,Fivics ILF,64 Bear Kodiak, Black Hawk Short Bee,Black Hawk Scorpion,Bear Black Tail,Damon Howatt Bandido,Hoyt Pro Medalist, and like them all.I am sure I will like the Balboa.

They built the Balboa from 1966 to 1971...maybe later but I did not keep records for post 1971 models.

Performance wise the Howatt's with the one piece risers like the Coronado and Bandito don't take a back seat to any Howatt. They were less money as they involved less labour.

You, and George know your stuff, and have given the Balboa the twothumbs up. That is better than good enough for me. Can,t wait to get it in my hands.Thank you. Good hunting and shooting.

First recurve I ever owned. It was a good shooter. I shot several deer with it. No complaints. Mike

Poor mans super diablo I believe.

If memory is good, the bow was built for 2 years (68-69) and Larry called it "Partridge wood" ???

Rick R

Thanks for all the info. You guys are the best.

Got the bow this morning.Very nice bow. Solid bow,and dead in the hand for a 58 inch bow.Shot the string that was on it.16 strand B50 at 41 lbs. with a 425 gr 500 Beman arrow at 155 fps.Also shot a 460 gr. 400 spine arrow at 150 fps. Then I tied a 10 strand ff string for it, and shot the same arrows. D97. The bow shot 425 gr arrow at 165fps, and the 460 gr. arrow at 160 fps.That is good speed for such a low poundage bow, and shooting off of a rug.With ff string I picked 10 fps. Nothing bad to say about this bow.

Bassman as far as length, my D/H Mamba was 58" but had 60 lbs @ 28" It didn't have finger pinch at that length, and as most all D/H, Martin bows I don't think you will find anything wrong with any of them.

Ron you are right. The bow was exactly what I was looking for.The poundage , and length are perfect for me.Shoots snappy, and good fitting riser.This is the fourth Damon Howatt recurve that I have owned , and liked them all.

yorktown5. The Balboa was built longer than two years...

I have serial numbers for Balboas that showed production started in 1966 and continued until 1971.

I am positive I saw some built a bit longer after that.

Bassman...what are the serial digits? Letter and numbers please.

I'll put them in my records and tell you when the bow was built.

HBA 1368. Traded bigman for it . Gave him a nice Buddy Watson target bow. We are both satisfied. Thanks a head of time Pdiddly.

It's a late 1966..early bow.

That is the year I graduated. I have quite a few bows now made in the 1960,s. This one is keeper for sure.Thanks again.

I can't find the "old thread", but like Yorktown, I also remember(?) Larry posting that the Balboa was introduced in 1968, and only made for a couple years, as it didn't sell well.

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