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Columbia 87
Designer: Alan Payne  ·  Builder: Columbia Yachts/ Hughes Boat Works  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Columbia 87

Built during Columbia Yachts' production era, this 27-foot sailboat represents the company's commitment to creating accessible family cruisers for recreational sailors. Columbia Yachts established a solid reputation for manufacturing affordable, well-built boats that could introduce newcomers to sailing while still providing enjoyable experiences for seasoned sailors. The Columbia 87 features a moderate displacement design typical of its era, with a focus on stability and ease of handling rather than pure performance. Her beam and cockpit layout suggest she was designed primarily for coastal cruising and day sailing, making her well-suited for weekend adventures and short-term cruising in protected waters. Like other Columbia models from this period, the 87 likely incorporates practical design elements such as a comfortable cockpit for family sailing and a simple but functional interior arrangement. The boat's construction reflects the company's emphasis on solid fiberglass work and straightforward systems that owners can maintain themselves. For prospective buyers seeking an affordable entry into cruising or a reliable boat for coastal exploration, the Columbia 87 offers the dependable characteristics that made Columbia Yachts popular among recreational sailors looking for value and practicality over cutting-edge performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.58 ft / 8.71 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.17 ft / 7.06 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 4.67 ft / 1.42 m
Displacement 8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Ballast 3,500.00 lb / 1,588 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 416.00 ft² / 38.65 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Payne
Builder Columbia Yachts/ Hughes Boat Works
First Built 1976
Last Built 1987
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
16.03
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
24.67
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
1.96
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. 6.45
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
1.64
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. 827.89
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.3
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.5
SA Fore 230.63
SA Main 185.73
How It Compares

vs. Lancer 29 Ps, Ontario 28, San Juan 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Columbia 87 ★
28.6 ft
Lancer 29 Ps
28.6 ft
Ontario 28
28.6 ft
San Juan 28
28.7 ft
LWL
Columbia 87 ★
23.2 ft
Lancer 29 Ps
23.0 ft
Ontario 28
22.0 ft
San Juan 28
22.3 ft
Beam
Columbia 87 ★
10.0 ft
Lancer 29 Ps
9.3 ft
Ontario 28
10.0 ft
San Juan 28
10.0 ft
Displacement
Columbia 87 ★
8 lbs
Lancer 29 Ps
6 lbs
Ontario 28
6 lbs
San Juan 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Columbia 87 ★
3 lbs
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
2 lbs
San Juan 28
3 lbs
Sail Area
Columbia 87 ★
416 sq ft
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
400 sq ft
San Juan 28
385 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Columbia 87 ★
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
195 s/nm
San Juan 28
186 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Columbia 87 ★
16.0
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
17.9
San Juan 28
18.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Columbia 87 ★
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
42.7 %
San Juan 28
50.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Columbia 87 ★
24.7
Lancer 29 Ps
22.0
Ontario 28
20.4
San Juan 28
18.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Columbia 87 ★
1.96
Lancer 29 Ps
1.96
Ontario 28
2.11
San Juan 28
2.18
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Columbia 87 ★
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
285
San Juan 28
248
Hull Speed
Columbia 87 ★
6.5 kts
Lancer 29 Ps
6.4 kts
Ontario 28
6.3 kts
San Juan 28
6.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Columbia 87 ★
1.6
Lancer 29 Ps
Ontario 28
1.9
San Juan 28
2.3
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