Columbia 50 Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Columbia 50 marked a pivotal moment in the burgeoning fiberglass yacht industry, produced by Columbia Yachts between 1965 and 1972. The builder, Columbia Yachts, under its founder Richard "Dick" Valdes, played a pioneering role in mass-producing fiberglass sailboats, focusing on durability, reduced maintenance, and efficient construction methods. The company distinguished itself by collaborating with renowned naval architects, ensuring their vessels offered both performance and seaworthiness.

The Columbia 50 was specifically designed by Bill Tripp Jr., a naval architect who had been at the forefront of fiberglass boat design since the late 1950s. Tripp's design philosophy aimed to create highly efficient yachts that continually improved upon previous iterations. For the Columbia 50, his objective was to deliver a yacht that combined luxury with robust ocean-going capabilities. Throughout its production run, the Columbia 50 was offered with various rig options, including sloop, yawl, or schooner. Additionally, Columbia Yachts, through its Sailcrafter Custom Yachts division, also made bare hulls and kits available, providing an accessible entry point for owners to complete the vessel themselves.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Columbia 50 is known for its excellent sailing qualities across various points of sail and in diverse weather conditions. With a displacement of 32,000 lbs and a waterline length of 33.25 feet, the yacht has a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 389. This high ratio signifies a heavy, traditional cruiser, indicating a design focused on comfort and stability in challenging seas rather than outright speed. The vessel's substantial weight and hull form contribute to a comfortable ride in any direction, particularly when sailing upwind in strong winds.

The boat's Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio is around 15.53. While this suggests it is not an extreme light-air performer, it indicates capable sailing characteristics, with its performance not overly reliant on a large genoa. A key contributor to its stability is its high Ballast to Displacement ratio of approximately 45.6% (14,600 lbs of ballast in a 32,000 lb displacement). This high ballast ratio enhances the yacht's stiffness, allowing it to stand up well to wind and providing a stable platform. The Columbia 50's spade rudder is also praised for offering responsive handling and being well-suited for vane steering. Owners frequently describe the Columbia 50 as a "joy to sail" and a "beautiful sea boat," noted for its dry cockpit and ability to handle extensive voyages.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior headroom is not consistently documented, the Columbia 50's accommodations were designed with extended time at sea in mind, providing an unusually practical and ergonomic layout for offshore cruising. The interior typically features a well-protected aft cockpit leading into a spacious cabin. Various interior plans were offered, including a "3 Cabin Interior Plan" and "Alternate Interior" configurations, one of which depicts a private owner's double berth to starboard and a single settee to port.

The interior layout generally includes essential cruising amenities such as a dedicated head compartment, a functional galley, and a navigation station. Thoughtful provisions for sail storage and foul weather gear were integrated into the design. The emphasis was on a comfortable living space suitable for multiple occupants on long passages. On deck, the Columbia 50 features a large, flush foredeck, which facilitates ease of movement and simplifies sail handling. The heavy fiberglass construction of the hull contributed to the vessel's durability, with no known hull failures or blistering reported, though issues with balsa core decks due to poorly sealed penetrations have been noted.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Columbia 50 frequently praise its robust build quality and enduring design. The heavy fiberglass construction has contributed to the boats holding up well over decades, with many still actively sailing today. Its proven durability is a significant strength, with few reports of serious structural issues like hull blistering.

Commonly cited strengths include the yacht's exceptional stability and comfortable motion in a seaway, making it a reliable choice for offshore cruising. Owners appreciate its good performance characteristics, noting that it can be competitive in local races while also serving as a comfortable liveaboard or long-distance cruiser. A recurring maintenance consideration highlighted by some owners pertains to the balsa core decks, which can be susceptible to problems if deck penetrations are not meticulously sealed. Despite being a classic design from the 1960s, many owners view the Columbia 50 as an "ageless beauty" that still performs comparably to more modern vessels.