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.
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What is the Columbia 96's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Columbia 96 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.6. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Columbia 96's comfort ratio?
The Columbia 96 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 27.52. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Columbia 96 safe for offshore sailing?
The Columbia 96 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.88. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Columbia 96?
The theoretical hull speed of the Columbia 96 is 6.53 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Columbia 96 weigh?
The Columbia 96 has a displacement of 10,200.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 31.50 ft.
How much does a used Columbia 96 cost?
Based on 1 recent market listings, used Columbia 96 sailboats typically sell for between $16,500 and $16,500, with a median asking price of $16,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Columbia 96?
The Columbia 96 was designed by Alan Payne, first built in 1975.