Sailcrafter 50 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The performance of the Sailcrafter 50 is defined by the naval architecture of Bill Tripp Jr., who favored powerful, high-volume hulls with relatively low centers of gravity. As a heavy displacement monohull, the vessel utilizes an encapsulated lead keel and a separate spade rudder—a configuration that was revolutionary in the mid-1960s for a boat of this scale. On the water, the Sailcrafter 50 is a "momentum boat"; it requires a stiff breeze to overcome its significant inertia, but once moving, it tracks with remarkable stability and ignores the jarring motions of a choppy head sea.

With a Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio typically hovering in the "heavy cruiser" category, the boat excels in sustained offshore passages rather than light-air coastal drifting. The high-aspect sail plan, often configured as a sloop or a yawl, provides enough power to drive the hull at its theoretical hull speed of roughly 8.5 to 9 knots. Owners often report that the boat feels most at home on a reach, where the Tripp-designed "bustle" near the stern helps reduce drag and prevent the hobby-horsing common in narrower traditional designs. Handling under power can be challenging due to the significant windage of the high freeboard and the distance between the prop and the rudder, making bow thrusters a common modern aftermarket addition.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of a Sailcrafter 50 is a study in "owner’s choice." Unlike the production Columbia 50, which featured a somewhat standardized layout with a forward V-berth, a massive main salon, and a galley located aft, the Sailcrafter versions were often customized from the moment the bulkheads were tabbed in. Because these were sold as kits, the quality of the joinery ranges from professional-grade teak-and-holly masterworks to more utilitarian, plywood-heavy DIY projects.

In a well-executed build, the 50-foot hull offers cavernous living space that modern 50-footers often struggle to match due to the Sailcrafter's sheer depth. The headroom is exceptional, frequently exceeding 6’6” in the main salon. Variations are common; some owners opted for a "Great Cabin" aft by moving the cockpit forward (though most retained the standard aft-cockpit configuration), while others prioritized storage for long-range circumnavigations. The hull's width allows for multiple heads and a dedicated navigation station that can accommodate full-sized paper charts. Prospective buyers must evaluate each vessel's plumbing and electrical systems individually, as these were almost always installed by the original kit purchaser rather than the factory.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

• Build Integrity & Tabbing: Because these were kit boats, the primary concern is the quality of the secondary bonding. Inspect where bulkheads meet the hull; look for signs of "hard spots" or delamination where the fiberglass tabbing may have been applied poorly by an amateur builder.
• Deck Core Condition: Like many boats of this era, the Sailcrafter 50 uses a balsa-cored deck. Given the boat's age, hardware such as stanchions, cleats, and winches may have leaked, leading to localized rot. A moisture meter and "percussion testing" (tapping with a plastic hammer) are essential for identifying soft spots.
• Fuel and Water Tanks: The original tanks were often made of galvanized steel or early-grade aluminum and are frequently nearing the end of their lifespan. Because the tanks were often built into the furniture or placed deep in the bilge before the cabin sole was laid, replacement can be an invasive and expensive surgery.
• Mast Step Corrosion: The Sailcrafter 50 features a keel-stepped mast. Moisture often collects at the base of the spar where it meets the bilge, leading to galvanic corrosion. This area should be stripped and inspected for "pitting" or structural thinning.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data and historical archives is the Columbia Yacht Owners Association, which maintains a dedicated section for the Sailcrafter line. This resource is invaluable for finding original Bill Tripp design notes and understanding the structural differences between the factory-finished 50 and the kit-built 50. While there is no dedicated "Sailcrafter-only" association, the owners are fully integrated into the broader Columbia community, which remains one of the most active vintage fiberglass boat groups in North America.

The Verdict

The Sailcrafter 50 is a "blue-collar" ocean greyhound—a vessel that offers the bones of a legendary offshore racer to those who value structural substance over modern cosmetic trends.

Pros:

• Pedigree: Built on the world-renowned Bill Tripp Columbia 50 hull.
• Seaworthiness: A heavy-displacement vessel capable of handling extreme latitudes.
• Value: Often priced significantly lower than factory-finished yachts of the same size.
• Volume: Massive interior living space suitable for liveaboards or large families.

Cons:

• Variable Build Quality: Interior finish and system installations vary wildly between individual boats.
• Maintenance Intensity: Older fiberglass hulls of this size require significant upkeep of standing rigging and deck seals.
• Atypical Systems: Non-standard wiring and plumbing layouts can make troubleshooting difficult for marine technicians.