The Columbia 43 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

There were two main versions of the Columbia 43: the standard model and the centreboard model (Columbia 43 CB). The centreboard model had a retractable keel that reduced the draft from 6.5 feet to 4.5 feet, making it more suitable for shallow waters. There was also a MkIII version of the Columbia 43 that had a slightly longer hull, a taller mast and a lead-ballasted keel, but only a few of these were made.

The Columbia 43 has a spacious and comfortable interior that can sleep up to six people. The layout consists of a V-berth forward, followed by a head with a shower to port and a hanging locker to starboard, aft of which there are two further single berths. The main saloon has a galley with a stove, oven, sink and refrigerator to port and a U-shaped dinette to starboard that converts to a double berth.

The Columbia 43 has two keel options: a fixed fin keel or a centreboard keel. The fixed fin keel is made of iron and has a draft of 6.5 feet. It provides good stability and performance in deep water, but limits the access to shallow anchorages or marinas. The centreboard keel is made of fibreglass and has a draft of 4.5 feet when retracted and 8.5 feet when extended. It allows more versatility in sailing in different water depths, but adds some complexity and maintenance to the boat.

The Columbia 43 is a fast and agile boat that can handle well in various wind and sea conditions. It has a moderate-displacement hull that can plane in strong winds, but also has enough ballast to keep it stable and balanced in moderate winds. It has a responsive helm and good manoeuvrability, making it fun to sail both upwind and downwind. It can also perform well in races, especially in long-distance offshore events.

The average cost of a secondhand Columbia 43 depends on several factors, such as the year of manufacture, the condition of the boat, the equipment and upgrades installed, and the location of the boat. Based on some recent listings on YachtWorld, the price range for a used Columbia 43 can vary from $25,000 to $65,000 USD.

No, this boatbuilder is no longer in business. Columbia Yachts was founded in 1958 by Richard Valdes as Glas Laminates, producing fibreglass products such as camper shells and canoes. It later changed its name to Glass Marine Industries and then to Columbia Sailing Yachts in 1965. It became one of the largest sailboat manufacturers in the US in the late 1960s and early 1970s, producing models ranging from 20 to 57 feet. However, it faced financial and managerial problems in the mid-1970s and was sold to the Whittaker Marine Group, which also owned Coronado Yachts. The production of Columbia sailboats ceased in 1978, and the company was dissolved in 1980.

This designer, William H. Tripp Jr., was a prolific and influential naval architect who created many sailboats for various boatbuilders, such as Hinckley, Pearson, Nautor's Swan, Baltic Yachts, and of course, Columbia Yachts. Some of his most famous designs include the Bermuda 40, the Columbia 50, the Swan 36, the Baltic 51, and the Tripp 47.