Columbia 26 Sailing Characteristics

[JackHinks]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking at a Columbia 26. Don't know much about them. From the specs, she seems like a fairly rugged coastal cruiser. Have any made long passages? And how are they in a blow? Looks like the ballast - displacement ratio is fairly hefty. Any info from those who have sailed them would be appreciated!
Thanks, Jack

[SeaSeeker]

Jack,
The C26 is a great boat, easy to handle, easy to maintain. My first "big boat" was a C26 and I loved her. Go for it, you won't be sorry!

[Golden Mean]

Hi:
We owned a Col 26 mark 2 (fin keel; mostly flush desk) for 26 years. We sailed her in the San Juans, Canadian Gulf Islands, up to the Broughton archipalego, out to Barkley Sound on the west coast of vancouver Island and raced her in club races as well as the Swiftsure (1 st overall in the 1993 Juan de Fuca race). They are great sailors and our Calif built hulll was strong. They can 'oil-can' a bit due to the large freeboard in the front when heeled and pounding into seas. I cut inspection areas in the front liners and glasses the hull to the liner with heavy f/g matt and that put an end to that. I did the same in in the cabin on each side and gained storage as well. They are a bit undercanvassed for l ight airs by modern standards but with the outboard lifted out of the water and our faired keep she performed well in light air. My brother saw one in Tahiti that had arrived from Hawaii but he made me promise not to do the same :-) Link to owner's site: Columbia Yacht Owners Association
Enjoy!

[carolina55]

hi..just a tardy reply as it's now december, but i have a '63 columbia 26, and have just started the refit. i previously owned a columbia 24, which is the same boat minus 2 ft. she sailed great, and could handle a nasty day very well. good luck!

[JBWrites]

Still own and sail her older/little sister, a 1963 Columbia 24. She's a sea-going rhino!


SailingSineMetu.com has photos and specs.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, carolina55.