Want To Buy: Columbia T-26 or 26 shoal or Commodore 26

[clintonwlanier]

Hello from Vero Beach, Florida. Looking for a shoal draft Columbia T-26 or Columbia 26 Mk II or Commodore 26. Paying a 5% finder's fee. Thanks.

Clint 772.231.4747 clintonwlanier@gmail.com

[wristwister]

Not sure about the T26, but 26 MkII's are a dime a dozen (at least out west they are). Heck, you can find marina derelicts for free if you're willing to put in the effort. I'm surprised you think a "finders fee" is needed to find one.

Do a nationwide Craigslist search for one, you'll see plenty.

[clintonwlanier]

Originally Posted by wristwister

Not sure about the T26, but 26 MkII's are a dime a dozen (at least out west they are). Heck, you can find marina derelicts for free if you're willing to put in the effort. I'm surprised you think a "finders fee" is needed to find one.

Do a nationwide Craigslist search for one, you'll see plenty.

Thanks. I will try Craig's list. Just haven't had any luck finding one on the east coast.

[clintonwlanier]

Thanks. Just can't seem to find one on the east coast. Probably quite a few just sitting, growing barnacles. Just need to find one but not enough time to wander through marinas, hence the finder's fee. Hope it works.

[Cheechako]

I didnt know they made the T26 in shoal draft...?

[clintonwlanier]

The T-26 was a trailerable model. Columbia apparantly sold the design to Commodore who made additional vessels. The diagrams that I have show a draft of 2'1". Perfect for my shallow bay area with depths of three feet.

[Cheechako]

Sorry, I was thinking of the wrong boat...It appears they only made that one for 2 years so a little scarce! It was evidently also made as a Horizon 26. Here's one in Michigan... probably too far for you ... unless it's got a trailer! http://www.classifiedads.com/boats-ad13572539.htm

[Cheechako]

Another possibility to think about: Chrysler 26. Halsey Hereshoff designed, 2.2 ft draft with the board up. Very well built. A friend of mine had one and it sailed great and was sturdier and heavier than like an Oday or Catalina. Roomy too.

[Rocketman]

My first boat was a Columbia MKII 26, and I just sold it to Hobotek, a year ago. He was going to take it to the Bahamhas, then the Carabean, but I think things may have changed, and the last I heard he was heading back to Florida, unless things have changed. You might send him a PM to see what his current plans are, he might be looking to upgrade or sell. It is a 1976 but still in pretty good shape. I sold it for a song but I think he did some upgrades to make it more dependable for his trip.

[Rocketman]

I see that there is a listing on "Sailboatlisting.com" for a Columbia 26 1975, that looks realy nice for 6900.00 in Venice FL, This boat looks way nicer then the boat that I had. Take a look.

[clintonwlanier]

Yes, that one in Venice was exactly what I wanted. The darn boat was sold three days before I called. Drats. Phooey. I think that I will try to find the new owners and see if they still like it. Thanks. Clint

[speedoo]

Columbia 26 mk II is a great boat... Hull is indestructible but the plywood core of the decks are frequently soft and I did not like the outboard well in the cockpit, so I put a bracket on the transom. Bill Tripp knew how to draw boats. But I don't believe they were available with shoal draft.

[Rocketman]

There has been a Columbia 26 MK listed on this site, just today, might be what you are looking for.

[roverhi]

My first boat was a new 1970 Columbia 26 Mark II. I wouldn't want to take one very far offshore. Sailed mine around the Hawaiian Islands and it was pretty trashed from beating into the waves in the channels. Boat pounded going to weather and oil canned badly eventually breaking the forward bulkhead loose from the hull.

In gusty winds it was a scary boat. Rudder would stall out in a strong gust and the boat round up out of control. Sort of like those pictures of IOR boats with spinnakers going out of control. BIG difference was it would do it with just the working sails up. Nearly T boned a 50' gold plater at anchor that I sailed by to have a closer look. Can imagine what that insurance might have been. Ended up sailing mostly without the main to minimize the loss of control and round up tendency.

The Columbia 26 Mark II is one othe roomiest 26 footers around and would make a decent live aboard if you needed cheap, but small, living space. Wouldn't want to do anything more than local coastwise cruising in one, however.

[HoboTrek]

You sir, are looking for an amazing boat! Turns out i have one for sale in the Ft. Myers Fl. area!

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post936211