Balaton 21 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The production of the Balaton 21 commenced in 1977, a period when the Hungarian Shipyards & Crane Factory, a venerable institution with deep roots in heavy industry, expanded its focus to leisure craft. This move, initiated around 1970, was a direct response to the thriving demand for sailboats suitable for Lake Balaton's inland waters. As the yacht-building arm of MHD, Balaton Boats benefited from a strong engineering and manufacturing foundation, utilizing fiberglass for construction, a modern material that allowed for more standardized and accessible yacht production compared to traditional wooden methods. The design philosophy behind Balaton Boats, and implicitly the Balaton 21, centered on creating yachts that were "easy to manoeuvre and sailed fast, yet offered plenty of space" for their dimensions, specifically tailored for the characteristics of Lake Balaton.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Balaton 21 is characterized as a moderate weight sailboat, noted for its stability and stiffness. While she is described as being slightly underpowered, her design still allows for competitive performance, with a relative speed performance suggesting she is faster than 62% of similar sailboat designs. Her fin keel and transom-hung rudder contribute to a hull designed for efficient handling and responsiveness. The boat's design prioritizes ease of control, making her well-suited for the sometimes-challenging, shallow waters and often variable winds of Lake Balaton.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite her compact size, the Balaton 21 was designed to maximize interior volume. The designer's choice for a "slightly more spacy hull design" suggests an emphasis on comfortable living arrangements below deck. The typical interior layout for the Balaton 21 includes four berths, a small galley, and a dedicated toilet facility, indicating an ability to accommodate a small crew for overnight trips or weekend cruising. Freshwater capacity is provided by a 5 US gallon (20-liter) tank. The interior finish often features mahogany, a common material choice for boats of her era, providing a classic nautical aesthetic. While specific headroom figures are not consistently documented, the focus on maximizing interior space suggests a layout that optimizes usability within the confines of a 21-foot vessel.