BoatsColumbia Yachts 26

Columbia Yachts 26

Masthead Sloop · Fin Keel · 1963–1969

An extended evolution of the Columbia 24, this masthead fin-keel sloop offers a stable platform for coastal cruising

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin Keel

See her sail

The Columbia Yachts 26, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Sailing Artha

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a moderate beam gives 24 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 24
CoastalBluewater

1.85 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.85
LightHeavy

338 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 338
EasygoingPowered-up

16.1 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.1
TenderStiff

44% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 44%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Draws less than ~75% of boats her size on file
  • Narrower than ~84% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1809 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Columbia Yachts 26, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Columbia Yachts 26 is an 8.0-meter masthead sloop designed by Columbia Yachts and built by Columbia Sailing Yachts between 1963 and 1969. It features a fin keel, a 2.4-meter beam, a 1.2-meter draft, and displaces 2358 kg. The Columbia 26 is considered an extended version of the Columbia 24, largely built from the same tooling. Aboard *Sailing Artha*, Nicole sailed a Columbia 26 before acquiring a Bristol Yachts 28.2:42 She passed on a Wonder Watermaker, originally gifted to her while sailing the Columbia 26, to a friend heading to the Bahamas.2:46

On the water

The Columbia Yachts 26 on video

Also on YouTube

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
44.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.1
Displacement / length
338.4
Comfort ratio
23.8
Capsize screening
1.85
Hull speed
5.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
543
Hull
Hull type
Fin Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1963–1969
Units built
799
Designer
Columbia Yachts
Builder
Columbia Sailing Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Colvic Ltd. Sailor 268.21 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA twin-keeled masthead sloop with hulls molded by Colvic and finished by various yards, including Atlanta Marine
Boat Tour of a Free Sailboat before Refurbishment - Prequel - DIY Free Sailboat Refitfrom Sailing Puffin
Puma 277.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Ron Holland-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance-oriented coastal cruising
Living on a BOAT0:11from navegandoporelglobo
Catalina Yachts 278.18 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA masthead sloop with 6,662 hulls produced over two decades, serving as a staple of coastal cruising since 1971
Be The Captain — Chapter One: Think Like a Captain (Audiobook)8:33from Be The Captain
Hunter Marine 278.28 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA John Cherubini-designed masthead sloop built for a decade, featuring a skeg-mounted rudder and shoal-draft options
What Happened to Hunter Sailboats? The History Most People Don't Know.from All About Sailing
Newport 27S8.23 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA 1974 masthead sloop with a 1.3-meter draft, offering a stable fin-keel platform for shoal-water coastal cruising
Live On A Cheap and Small Sailboat! The Newport 27from Practical Sailor
Hunter Marine 27-28.10 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 27-foot fractional sloop with a 40% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal cruising
Stop Waiting — These Sailboats Are a STEAL!from Lady K Sailing

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Columbia Yachts T-26A trailerable masthead sloop by Alan Payne whose versatile design was widely recycled under multiple namesColumbia Yachts 26 MK 2A William Tripp Jr. design featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, built for coastal cruising throughout the 1970sColumbia Yachts 21A William Crealock-designed masthead sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited light-air performanceColumbia Yachts 27A William Tripp Jr. design sharing its hull with the Columbia 26 MK II, this masthead sloop features a fin keel and spade rudder.Columbia Yachts 36A 1967-era masthead sloop with a 41% ballast ratio, designed for a balance of stability and coastal performanceColumbia Yachts 28A William Crealock-designed masthead sloop with 553 hulls built, offering a stable platform for coastal cruising

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