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Columbia 50
Designer: William Tripp Jr.  ·  Builder: Columbia Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1965
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About the Columbia 50

Originally built by Columbia Yachts during their active production years, this 50-foot sailboat represents the builder's approach to creating substantial cruising vessels for serious sailors. Columbia developed a reputation for constructing solid, seaworthy boats that prioritized durability and comfort over cutting-edge performance. With its generous length, the Columbia 50 offers the interior volume and stability that make it well-suited for extended coastal cruising and potentially offshore passages. The design reflects the era's emphasis on traditional sailing characteristics, featuring moderate proportions that balance sailing ability with liveaboard comfort. These boats typically attracted sailors who valued reliability and spaciousness over racing pedigree. While specific technical details remain limited, boats of this size and vintage from Columbia generally featured robust fiberglass construction and practical deck layouts designed for easy handling by small crews. The Columbia 50 would appeal to sailors seeking a substantial cruising platform capable of handling various conditions while providing comfortable accommodations below deck. For prospective buyers, the limited availability of detailed specifications suggests thorough inspection and documentation research would be essential when evaluating any individual vessel, as condition and maintenance history become particularly important factors in older boats of this caliber.

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.
$7,750 – $80,000
typical asking price
Median $80,000  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$7,750 – $80,000 3
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) 50.00 ft / 15.24 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.25 ft / 10.13 m
Beam 12.03 ft / 3.67 m
Max Draft 6.52 ft / 1.99 m
Displacement 32,000.00 lb / 14,515 kg
Ballast 14,600.00 lb / 6,622 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Tripp Jr.
Builder Columbia Yachts (USA)
First Built 1965
Last Built 1972
Number Built 62
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
96
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
45.62
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
388.62
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. 8.57 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.61
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.10 ft / 5.52 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 979.00 ft² / 90.95 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Universal
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 70
How It Compares

vs. Calkins 50, Cc 50, Kettenburg 50

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Columbia 50 ★
50.0 ft
Calkins 50
50.0 ft
Cc 50
49.8 ft
Kettenburg 50
50.0 ft
LWL
Columbia 50 ★
33.3 ft
Calkins 50
43.0 ft
Cc 50
39.0 ft
Kettenburg 50
34.5 ft
Beam
Columbia 50 ★
12.0 ft
Calkins 50
12.0 ft
Cc 50
14.5 ft
Kettenburg 50
13.5 ft
Displacement
Columbia 50 ★
32 lbs
Calkins 50
27 lbs
Cc 50
31 lbs
Kettenburg 50
29 lbs
Ballast
Columbia 50 ★
14 lbs
Calkins 50
7 lbs
Cc 50
15 lbs
Kettenburg 50
9 lbs
Sail Area
Columbia 50 ★
Calkins 50
1 sq ft
Cc 50
1 sq ft
Kettenburg 50
988 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Columbia 50 ★
Calkins 50
18.3
Cc 50
20.7
Kettenburg 50
16.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Columbia 50 ★
45.6 %
Calkins 50
25.5 %
Cc 50
Kettenburg 50
31.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Columbia 50 ★
Calkins 50
34.4
Cc 50
32.3
Kettenburg 50
35.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Columbia 50 ★
Calkins 50
1.59
Cc 50
1.85
Kettenburg 50
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Columbia 50 ★
388
Calkins 50
154
Cc 50
Kettenburg 50
315
Hull Speed
Columbia 50 ★
Calkins 50
8.8 kts
Cc 50
8.4 kts
Kettenburg 50
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Columbia 50 ★
Calkins 50
Cc 50
2.7
Kettenburg 50
1.6
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