Built during the mid-1960s boom in affordable fiberglass sailboats, the Columbia 24 Contender emerged as Columbia Yachts' answer to the growing demand for capable small cruisers. Designed by Columbia in collaboration with McGlasson, this masthead sloop represents classic American production boat philosophy: practical, sturdy, and accessible to average sailors.
With 330 hulls launched between 1963 and 1968, the Contender found favor among sailors seeking a weekend cruiser that could handle coastal waters with confidence. Her fin keel configuration and 1,600-pound ballast provide reasonable stability, while the 3,600-pound displacement keeps her manageable for trailer sailing or small marina slips. The moderate sail area of 288 square feet offers respectable performance without overwhelming newer sailors.
The Contender's design reflects the era's emphasis on interior volume over extreme performance, making her well-suited for coastal cruising, day sailing, and learning advanced sailing skills. Her comfort ratio of 17.96 suggests a relatively stiff motion in a seaway, while the capsize screening value of 2.05 indicates she's best kept in protected to moderate offshore conditions. For sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising or a nostalgic piece of American sailboat history, the Columbia 24 Contender offers proven seaworthiness in a manageable package.
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.67
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
264.4
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
17.96
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.05
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
5.72 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.27
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
510.59 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
19.65
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
30.10 ft / 9.17 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
8.80 ft / 2.68 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
27.00 ft / 8.23 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore
132.44 ft² / 12.30 m²
SA Main
155.25 ft² / 14.42 m²
SA Total (100%)
287.69 ft² / 26.73 m²
Est. Forestay Length
31.36 ft / 9.56 m
How It Compares
vs. East Wind 25 Paceship, Iw 26, Nutmeg 24, Quickstep 24, Seidelmann 25 Sd
