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Hughes Columbia 36
Designer: William Tripp Jr.  ·  Builder: Hughes Boat Works Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Hughes Columbia 36

Designed by the renowned William Tripp Jr. and built by Hughes Boat Works in Canada starting in 1979, this 36-footer represents a well-balanced approach to cruising sailboat design from the late 1970s era. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration, providing good directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability. With a masthead ketch rig and moderate displacement of 15,000 pounds, the Columbia 36 offers versatility for both coastal cruising and extended passages. The substantial ballast ratio, achieved through 6,300 pounds of ballast, contributes to confident sailing characteristics and good stability. Her comfort ratio of 34.78 suggests she'll provide a relatively easy motion in seaway conditions, while the capsize screening formula of 1.65 indicates reasonable offshore capability for experienced sailors. The boat's proportions, including a waterline length of 28 feet and beam of 10.17 feet, create a spacious interior while maintaining good sailing performance. Her moderate draft of 4 feet allows access to many harbors while providing adequate sailing ability. This Hughes-built version of the Columbia 36 appeals to sailors seeking a sturdy, traditionally-configured cruising boat capable of handling extended coastal voyages and occasional offshore passages with confidence.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.83 ft / 10.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast 6,300.00 lb / 2,858 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 525.00 ft² / 48.77 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer William Tripp Jr.
Builder Hughes Boat Works Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1979
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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
13.86
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
42
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
305.05
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
34.78
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
1.65
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. 7.09 kn
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. 1,017.48 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 22
Fuel Capacity 44 gals / 167 L
Water Capacity 55 gals / 208 L
How It Compares

vs. Caliber 35, Columbia 36, Freeport 36 Islander, Hunter 36, Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
35.8 ft
Caliber 35
35.8 ft
Columbia 36
35.8 ft
Freeport 36 Islander
35.8 ft
Hunter 36
35.9 ft
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
35.8 ft
LWL
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
28.0 ft
Caliber 35
29.8 ft
Columbia 36
27.8 ft
Freeport 36 Islander
27.5 ft
Hunter 36
29.5 ft
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
28.0 ft
Beam
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
10.2 ft
Caliber 35
11.3 ft
Columbia 36
10.5 ft
Freeport 36 Islander
12.0 ft
Hunter 36
11.1 ft
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
11.4 ft
Displacement
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
15 lbs
Caliber 35
13 lbs
Columbia 36
12 lbs
Freeport 36 Islander
17 lbs
Hunter 36
13 lbs
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
16 lbs
Ballast
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
6 lbs
Caliber 35
6 lbs
Columbia 36
5 lbs
Freeport 36 Islander
7 lbs
Hunter 36
6 lbs
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
7 lbs
Sail Area
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
525 sq ft
Caliber 35
563 sq ft
Columbia 36
556 sq ft
Freeport 36 Islander
659 sq ft
Hunter 36
604 sq ft
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
591 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
Caliber 35
162 s/nm
Columbia 36
162 s/nm
Freeport 36 Islander
Hunter 36
132 s/nm
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
13.9
Caliber 35
16.3
Columbia 36
17.0
Freeport 36 Islander
16.0
Hunter 36
17.1
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
15.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
42.0 %
Caliber 35
46.6 %
Columbia 36
Freeport 36 Islander
Hunter 36
44.4 %
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
34.8
Caliber 35
25.3
Columbia 36
26.8
Freeport 36 Islander
32.0
Hunter 36
27.0
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
31.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
1.65
Caliber 35
1.93
Columbia 36
1.84
Freeport 36 Islander
1.87
Hunter 36
1.86
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
1.82
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
305
Caliber 35
220
Columbia 36
Freeport 36 Islander
Hunter 36
234
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
Hull Speed
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
7.1 kts
Caliber 35
7.3 kts
Columbia 36
7.1 kts
Freeport 36 Islander
7.0 kts
Hunter 36
7.3 kts
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
7.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hughes Columbia 36 ★
Caliber 35
Columbia 36
2.2
Freeport 36 Islander
1.3
Hunter 36
2.3
Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch
1.2
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