[Vasco]

I don't know the history of the two companies, some say Hughes got the molds from Columbia when Columbia went bankrupt in the late 70's. I have sailed on the Hughes 35 (S & S design). Sturdy, good sailing boat, solid construction. A friend of mine had one that he took across the Atlantic half a dozen times. The engine Hughes used in the 35 was an Atomic 4. They are very good looking boats with lots of tumblehome. Designed when boats looked like boats. The boat that went across the pond was stock and stood up very well. The Hughes 38 is another good looking boat of the same era that can be picked up at a good price. The market for these good looking, good sailing boats boats is a bit depressed. It seems everybody wants fat, ugly, roomy boats. A Hughes 38 with a fairly new Yanmar in our club recently went for under CAD$30,000. Hughes picked up the Columbia line around 79, went into receivership in 82, started building again in 86 and finally went out of business around 1990 after a fire. If you want a roomy boat try the Hughes 40 center cockpit.