Spruced-up sign unveiled near Balboa ferry

A group of happy boaters has long been depicted on a sign near the ferry landing on the Balboa Peninsula.

As part of a revitalization of the area, the boaters were welcomed back to their post in a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon, cleaned up and displaying a new coat of paint. The boat still splashes through foamy blue waves, and a woman waves from the back.

The neon lighting that outlines the boat and its “U-DRIVE” lettering has been replaced. The colors are true to the original sign, made in 1933 by Roland Vallely, who opened a boat rental business by the ferry.

“Over time, being out there, the salt air and everything takes its toll,” said Ralph Rodheim, owner of Balboa Boat Rentals and chairman of the Balboa Village Merchants Assn, both of which donated to the cause. “We brought them back to life.”

The sign had been refurbished once before, in 1969, a news release said. Local donors gave $5,000 for it to be restored again.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall