Thoughts on a 1962 Columbia 29

[Don C L]

It would be really nice to see that boat rescued, hope it works out. It must seem strange to some that an old boat from the 60s would inspire such affection. And certainly there are old boats that don't. But this one, this design, combines strength, simplicity, and surprising speed (I know, lots of s.) It's a design worthy of recovery, even, or maybe especially, if you don't plan on a total restoration. It was one of the last long keel boats expected to race, born just before the likes of the Cal 40 and Cal 28 took over as the design template. But lost in that switch to a beamier flatter hull and fin keel/spade rudder was a motion and sea-kindliness. Yes, that sea kindliness was found at about 20 degrees of heel, but still, it is a civilized response to uncivilized seas. So when I see one I see opportunity, I see potential, especially with such a nice cruising ground available to her only 25 miles away. And just the right size; big enough to stand up in and carry supplies and toys for the kids for a couple weeks, but small enough to easily pull up the anchor by hand, sail out of the anchorage and all the way home into the slip... and beat most of your friends home... all for a small fraction of the cost of just about any other boat that can make the same claims.
So for the younger folks who may not have found themselves yet at the helm of a tender, skinny old school design, don't turn yer nose up in dismissal yet as you walk past one... you might notice some older folks passing by all others to admire one, inexplicably, or to reminisce, for a while.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

It would be really nice to see that boat rescued, hope it works out. It must seem strange to some that an old boat from the 60s would inspire such affection. And certainly there are old boats that don't. But this one, this design, combines strength, simplicity, and surprising speed (I know, lots of s.) It's a design worthy of recovery, even, or maybe especially, if you don't plan on a total restoration. It was one of the last long keel boats expected to race, born just before the likes of the Cal 40 and Cal 28 took over as the design template. But lost in that switch to a beamier flatter hull and fin keel/spade rudder was a motion and sea-kindliness. Yes, that sea kindliness was found at about 20 degrees of heel, but still, it is a civilized response to uncivilized seas. So when I see one I see opportunity, I see potential, especially with such a nice cruising ground available to her only 25 miles away. And just the right size; big enough to stand up in and carry supplies and toys for the kids for a couple weeks, but small enough to easily pull up the anchor by hand, sail out of the anchorage and all the way home into the slip... and beat most of your friends home... all for a small fraction of the cost of just about any other boat that can make the same claims.
So for the younger folks who may not have found themselves yet at the helm of a tender, skinny old school design, don't turn yer nose up in dismissal yet as you walk past one... you might notice some older folks passing by all others to admire one, inexplicably, or to reminisce, for a while.

exactly my view as well it is a sad day for all MORC boat owners there are so few of us left .

[WaltK61]

I had a Defender 29 1963 Greatest boat I ever sailed loved every minute.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by WaltK61

I had a Defender 29 1963 Greatest boat I ever sailed loved every minute.

What hull # ?
I own the former dont panic hull # 60

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by Ripples

I am looking at a 1962 Columbia 29 to purchase, it is a one owner boat. My plans are to do a little work on it and head out the Erie Canal then down the ICW then maybe to the Keys and on to the Caribbean.

Anyone out there have any experience with the 29? And what I should plan to upgrade, Rigging, chainplates, power " it has the original Atomic 4 that was rebuilt in 2005.

Also is there any known weaknesses of the 29 that I should aware of?

Thanks,

My first ship was a Columbia 27. My only criticism is that she was a little slow, but the payoff from that was a comfortable living space and very good seaworthiness. Weather hurricane Ida in 2011 in her, 150 miles out to sea, knocked down but not rolled. I recommend.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Captn_Black

My first ship was a Columbia 27. My only criticism is that she was a little slow, but the payoff from that was a comfortable living space and very good seaworthiness. Weather hurricane Ida in 2011 in her, 150 miles out to sea, knocked down but not rolled. I recommend.

All I will say to that is WOW.

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

All I will say to that is WOW.

Haha, yea, 8 meter waves looked smaller after that. I actually had a crew at the time, a young guy with no sailing experience I had found through an advert on here (different profile that I lost the email and password to). I was pretty confident though, so I think that helped. He still wants to do more sailing, so it can't have been that bad

[Don C L]

Pondering the similarity of the lines of Francis Kinney's "Pipedream" to the C29 this morning I discovered Kinney designed that boat in 1960 while he was at Sparkman and Stephens. So now I am wondering if he may have been the one to design the C29, if not Stephens? Those designs (and I know I'm kind of a broken record on this subject, sorry) were kind of the acme of long keels, coming out on the cusp of the design revolution that would put those plans on the shelf, in favor of the fin/spade combos that would dominate the racing world from then on. Still, their sea-kindly virtues, featured in Skene's for example, still deserve respect methinks. With more of these boats going to crushers, most folks will just never know. Sure they may not be for everyone, but for some it's a beautiful ride.
Anyway I wonder if anyone with a Kinney design knows if he might have designed the C29 while in the S&S shop?

[Don C L]

Anyone in the Seattle area?
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...240208940.html

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Anyone in the Seattle area?
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...240208940.html

Can't afford two of them right now

[Don C L]

I believe this may be the precursor and ancestor of the Columbia 29>
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/oxford-400

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I believe this may be the precursor and ancestor of the Columbia 29>
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/oxford-400

Possible but much more likely it was the s&s design lotus
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/lotus-28-ss
Matches the Columbia 29 specs almost perfectly

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Possible but much more likely it was the s&s design lotus
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/lotus-28-ss
Matches the Columbia 29 specs almost perfectly

Wow, you're absolutely right, though a foot deeper. I like that, I'd like to see how the deeper keel and lower ballast would do.

Actually, now that I look at there is no guarantee the ballast would have been much lower.

You know, since it was first built in '62, maybe it was designed after the Columbia? Or at the same time? The portlights are identical to the original S&S drawings and the first 3 or 4 built up in SF Bay.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Wow, you're absolutely right, though a foot deeper. I like that, I'd like to see how the deeper keel and lower ballast would do.

Actually, now that I look at there is no guarantee the ballast would have been much lower.

The total is 400 pounds less than the stock defender . The biggest difference the Columbia is lead and the lotus is iron ballast. I like the idea of shallower and heavier .
Best of both worlds .

Here is something to consider .
Iron ballast 491 pounds per cubic foot.
Lead ballast 708 pounds per cubic foot.

[Don C L]

Could it have been a spin-off to better meet the MORC rule?

Good catch on that by the way, how did you find it?