26' columbia sailboat

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COLUMBIA 26 Classic on Westcoast for 2022 Purchase

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I am looking for a Columbia 26 or similar design for liveaboard on the westcoast of British Columbia. I would travel as far as California to get into one if I absolutely must, maybe even as far Baja if I had to, to get into the right boat. The Columbia 26 classic and the Bayfield 29 really stand out to me as ideal for an eventual circumnavigation. If Matt Rutherford can do what he did within 5 years of learning, then surely I can learn on a Columbia 26 for a few years and get to Tahiti by 2030. Pretty simple goal. I am interested in learning about other boats from experienced owners and past owners of Bluewater Capable boats like these 2 mentioned above. Bayfield is seriously underrated but they are so rare on the westcoast of North America. The Columbia 26 seems ideal for security of outboard and security of not having to rely on an inboard on a 40-50 year old classic plastic as these are known. Pearson Triton 28 would not work for me as I am over 6'1, the Columbia 24 I think is the smallest I could go, I hear some of the Columbia 24's are nice like the Challenger and maybe have more headroom for a taller person like me? Been all over the world budget travelling. To learn to sail and find the exact boat I need for long-term ambitions while be affordable to get into in 2022. Anyone looking to move on from their fin keel Columbia 24/26 in the coming year or 2 years??? If you are on the westcoast, please contact me as I need the Columbia 26 design as to not bonk my head too hard on the way to French Polynesia by 2030!!! A simple goal compared to Matt Rutherford!! INTERESTED IN ALL INSIGHT INTO WHAT COLUMBIA fits me well!! I am sort of built like a small defensive lineman, 6'3" 280lbs, so Columbia 24 with 5'9" headroom is tough. Better toilet in the Columbia 26 one I can maybe fit in, but just barely. COLUMBIA YACHTS RULE!!!! seem well designed compared to most others. LEAD THE WAY, as they say. Looking to do so on the water though.

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The Columbia 26 was a lightly built, value engineered, coastal cruiser (Think Hunter, Catalina or Beneteau only built by a financially struggling, fledgling company cutting any corner that the could because it was before there were published standards and that boat is now 50 years old)..Columbias of that era were thrown together cheaply and aimed at a price point. From a naval architecture standpoint, Columbia took a half way decent 24 footer and extended its length in ways that are not a good thing from a motion comfort and seaworthiness standpoint. Arguably., if you are a super sailor and dump a ton into beefing the boat it up, iA Columbia 26 might make a pretty mediocre choice for long distance passage making. In stock form, it does not have the carrying capacity, deck plan, internal structure, quality of glasswork, or an interior layout that would normally be considered acceptable for such a long passage. But as you note, skilled sailors have gotten by with less suitable designs, Then again, a lot people who have bought the wrong boat, and underestimated what the sea can throw at them have disappeared at sea or needed to be rescued. To quote Dirty Harry, I guess the question to your question is "how lucky do you feel?" Jeff

That is top notch info, Jeff. Wow. I emailed the Dutch manufacturers of the MIDGET 26, and asked them if I could pay off about boat over 5 years for pick up in 2026. I hope they would consider this option for me. What Bluewater Boats would you consider to be safe for someone on a budget? I like the Bayfield 29 for the spacious head, but that's the main draw for me. I don't have the experience and understanding like you do. I am westcoast shopping, so no Cape Dory options over here, no MicMac 26, that looks pretty super that one too. Pearson Vanguard 32 is a boat I like, but it's so slow. Maybe it is very safe and early to late 60's Pearson hulls are as thick as the old wooden boats. I don't want my prop caught in any netting or ****, rudder with skeg is smart if I am saying this properly. Westcoast of North America is very limited for Bluewater Boats compared to the Great Lakes and Eastcoast. A Nordica 20 very cheap but a solid as can be hull? Maybe 19.5 feet to circle the pacific 3 times in my lifetime is possible as a goal. MIDGET 26 of that same Nordica/Midget/Halman 20 design wow if anyone has not seen the MIDGET 20, MIDGET 26 and MIDGET 30/31, trust me, look up the interior and be amazed. WOW For westcoast, looks like a CAL 27, 2-27, Crown 28, all from the same hull, Columbia 24, maybe not the 26, as you scared me off. Columbia 29 & 30 are possible? Maybe not the best manufacturer then. MS FRASER 30 care common in Vancouver, but if I can get a new boat and pay it off before i have it from MIDGET's manufacturer?? Better to go new if I can then, eh? What boats are westcoast common for Bluewater strong? PEARSON ELECTRA 22 seems strong to take on Bluewater and would be faster than most. Self bailing cockpit? Not sure if it has. Older is better for these classic plastic I have heard. Triton 28 PEARSON? Maybe an option westcoast common but old.

Even better would be an Ericson Independence.