The Columbia 29 Sailboat

The Columbia 29, a long-keeled sloop, was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in the USA by Columbia Yachts.

Columbia 29 MkI long-keeled sloop

Published Specification for the Columbia 29 MkI

Underwater Configuration: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)

Length Overall: 28' 6" / 8.69m

Waterline Length: 22' 6" / 6.86m

Beam: 8' 0" / 2.44m

Draft: 4' 0" / 1.22m

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 7,400lb / 3,357kg

Designer: Sparkman & Stephens

Builder: Columbia Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1961

Year Last Built: 1965

Owners Association: Columbia Yacht Owners Association

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Published Design Ratios for the Columbia 29 MkI

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.4

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 42

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 290

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 29.5

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Columbia 29 MkI

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.4 suggests that she'll approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 42 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 290, tells us she's clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but will come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 29.5 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

5. Her Capsize Screening Formula of 1.6 tells us that she would be a better choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making than one with a CS rating of more than 2.0.