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Columbia 36
Designer: William Crealock  ·  Builder: Columbia Yachts  ·  First built: 1967
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About the Columbia 36

Built during Columbia's prolific production era, this 36-footer represents the manufacturer's commitment to creating accessible family cruising sailboats for the growing recreational sailing market. Columbia Yachts established a reputation for building solid, no-nonsense vessels that prioritized comfort and practicality over cutting-edge performance. The Columbia 36 follows the builder's design philosophy of providing generous interior volume and stable sailing characteristics that inspire confidence in newer sailors while remaining capable enough for experienced crews. Her traditional lines and moderate proportions suggest a boat well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures, with accommodations designed for extended stays aboard. Like other Columbia models from this period, the 36 likely features a straightforward deck layout that emphasizes safety and ease of handling. The cockpit design would have prioritized comfort for family sailing, while the cabin arrangement typically maximized sleeping capacity and storage space below decks. This model appeals to sailors seeking a proven platform for learning seamanship or transitioning to larger boats, offering the stability and forgiving nature that Columbia built its reputation upon. For buyers interested in affordable entry into mid-size cruising, the Columbia 36 represents practical sailing without unnecessary complications.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$3,000 – $3,000
typical asking price
Median $3,000  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$3,000 – $3,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.75 ft / 10.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.75 ft / 8.46 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 5.42 ft / 1.65 m
Displacement 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 556.00 ft² / 51.65 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Crealock
Builder Columbia Yachts
First Built 1967
Last Built 1972
Owner Reviews

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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).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
162
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
17.03
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
26.84
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
1.84
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. 7.06
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
2.17
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 41.8
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.7
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.0
SA Fore 313.5
SA Main 242.9
Resources & Community
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