Built during the late 1970s by Columbia Yachts, this 31.5-foot masthead sloop represents solid American cruising boat design from renowned naval architect Alan Payne. With 150 hulls launched between 1975 and 1979, the Columbia 96 earned a reputation as a capable coastal cruiser that balances comfort with reasonable performance. The fiberglass hull features a fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg, providing good directional stability while maintaining adequate maneuverability. At 10,200 pounds displacement with 4,500 pounds of ballast, she carries enough weight for stability in choppy conditions while maintaining a respectable sail area to displacement ratio of 15.6 that keeps her moving in light air. Her generous beam of 10.17 feet creates a roomy interior, while the moderate 5.50-foot draft allows access to many harbors and anchorages. The comfort ratio of 27.52 indicates this boat prioritizes sailing comfort over pure speed, making her well-suited for weekend cruising and extended coastal passages rather than racing. With a capsize screening formula of 1.88, the Columbia 96 demonstrates good stability characteristics for offshore work, though she's most at home in coastal waters where her forgiving nature and solid construction truly shine.
- 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.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
No known issues documented for this model yet.
Own or have surveyed a Columbia 96? Submit a known issue
vs. Cal 31, Ericson 32, Hunter 31