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Columbia 38
Designer: Charles Morgan  ·  Builder: Columbia Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1965
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About the Columbia 38

Built during the mid-1960s by Columbia Yachts, this Charles Morgan design represents a classic example of American cruising yacht philosophy from that era. With only 39 hulls produced between 1965 and 1967, the Columbia 38 has become a sought-after vessel among traditionalists who appreciate solid construction and seaworthy characteristics. The modified full keel configuration provides excellent tracking and stability, making this boat particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and extended offshore passages. Her generous displacement of 14,000 pounds, combined with a substantial ballast ratio, creates a forgiving platform that handles heavy weather with confidence. The masthead sloop rig delivers manageable sail handling while providing adequate power for her size. Morgan's design emphasizes seaworthiness over speed, evident in the boat's impressive comfort ratio of 31.12, which indicates exceptional motion comfort in seaway conditions. The capsize screening formula of 1.77 falls well within accepted parameters for offshore work, reflecting the designer's commitment to safety and stability. While not a performance boat by modern standards, the Columbia 38 excels as a capable cruiser for sailors who prioritize comfort, reliability, and traditional sailing characteristics over racing potential.

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.
$24,995 – $25,300
typical asking price
Median $25,148  ·  4 listings used
All listings
$24,995 – $25,300 4
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) 38.92 ft / 11.86 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.75 ft / 7.85 m
Beam 10.67 ft / 3.25 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 14,000.00 lb / 6,350 kg
Ballast 6,400.00 lb / 2,903 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 650.00 ft² / 60.39 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Modified Full Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Charles Morgan
Builder Columbia Yachts (USA)
First Built 1965
Last Built 1967
Number Built 39
Related Sailboats ["Columbia 38 Cb" · "Bristol 39" · "Ericson 39" · "Pearson 390" · "Cavalier 39"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 180
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
 17.97
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.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 45.71
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
 366.06
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
 31.12
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
 1.77
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. 6.80 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
 1.36
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. 981.72 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. 17.98
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.50 ft / 13.26 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.80 ft / 11.52 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
SA Fore 348.00 ft² / 32.33 m²
SA Main 302.40 ft² / 28.09 m²
SA Total (100%) 650.40 ft² / 60.42 m²
Est. Forestay Length 46.35 ft / 14.13 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
Horsepower 30
Fuel Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
Water Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 39, Ericson 39, Pearson 390

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Columbia 38 ★
38.9 ft
Bristol 39
39.0 ft
Ericson 39
39.0 ft
Pearson 390
39.0 ft
LWL
Columbia 38 ★
25.8 ft
Bristol 39
27.5 ft
Ericson 39
30.0 ft
Pearson 390
33.7 ft
Beam
Columbia 38 ★
10.7 ft
Bristol 39
10.8 ft
Ericson 39
11.3 ft
Pearson 390
13.0 ft
Displacement
Columbia 38 ★
14 lbs
Bristol 39
17 lbs
Ericson 39
19 lbs
Pearson 390
20 lbs
Ballast
Columbia 38 ★
6 lbs
Bristol 39
6 lbs
Ericson 39
9 lbs
Pearson 390
7 lbs
Sail Area
Columbia 38 ★
650 sq ft
Bristol 39
—
Ericson 39
—
Pearson 390
663 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Columbia 38 ★
180 s/nm
Bristol 39
168 s/nm
Ericson 39
111 s/nm
Pearson 390
173 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Columbia 38 ★
18.0
Bristol 39
—
Ericson 39
—
Pearson 390
14.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Columbia 38 ★
45.7 %
Bristol 39
37.0 %
Ericson 39
50.0 %
Pearson 390
36.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Columbia 38 ★
31.1
Bristol 39
—
Ericson 39
—
Pearson 390
29.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Columbia 38 ★
1.77
Bristol 39
—
Ericson 39
—
Pearson 390
1.90
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Columbia 38 ★
366
Bristol 39
375
Ericson 39
—
Pearson 390
240
Hull Speed
Columbia 38 ★
6.8 kts
Bristol 39
—
Ericson 39
—
Pearson 390
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Columbia 38 ★
1.4
Bristol 39
—
Ericson 39
1.6
Pearson 390
2.0
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