An early sales brochure shows the Columbia 50 "Yellowbird" racing upwind. More photos below...
- Life begins at 50! -
The "Columbia 50" is a sailboat designed by William Tripp, Jr. and built predominantly by Columbia Yachts in Costa Mesa, California starting about 1965. For many reasons it is one of the very best production sailing yachts of all time.
The purposes of the Columbia 50 Fleet Record and Owners' Network website are:
The Bigger Picture:
Philosophically speaking, some things deserve to be marked for their place in history--to be recognized and remembered. With over 50 years of sailing history in their logbooks, and in view of the joy Columbia 50s have brought to all of their owners and admirers over the years, it seems appropriate to consider the design's qualifications in that regard.
[read more, con't]
An interesting thing has happened. Today, one need only pick up a sailing magazine or walk through a marina to realize that 50-foot fiberglass "production" sailboats are common. But there was a time when they were completely unheard of, until the Columbia 50 came along. Not only was the Columbia 50 the first, it was also a notable first--a great boat in its own right.
"First" is easy to substantiate; it is an undeniable fact, and an important milestone in the boatbuilding industry, given the number of fiberglass sailboats 50 feet and over today. But what is it that makes the Columbia 50 "great?" The term implies that the boat stands out in comparison to other boats--that it is unique in some better way. In the case of the Columbia 50, it is actually a combination of things that, taken together, just seem to work extremely well:
1. A Great Sailing Boat In Its Own Right
First, the Columbia 50 is simply a great sailing boat and, to many, also a beautiful sailing boat. As might be expected, with their professional reputations at stake, yacht designers put a lot of effort into boats intended for racing. That extra effort makes a difference in the way a boat sails. Race boats tend to be faster and sail better than boats not intended for racing, and the Columbia 50 stands out even when compared to other racing sailboats. Consequently, whether or not you are racing, the boat handles, sails and just feels "right," no matter what the wind and waves are doing. It's a great sailing boat. And if you're looking at one, most knowledgeable yachtsmen agree that the CCA (Cruising Club of America) rating rule fostered the most beautiful of all sailboats ever. At 50 feet, the Columbia 50 is large enough to accommodate standing headroom inside without raising freeboard or adding a long trunk cabin, further enhancing the boat's graceful sheer.
2. The Very Best of CCA Design
The CCA rule dominated yacht design thinking for several decades and was wonderful because, unlike many modern rating rules, it encouraged the development of fast, able boats without compromising seaworthiness, comfort or safety. Using that advantageous baseline as a springboard, enormous further effort was put into the Columbia 50 design work in particular, making it even better--the best of CCA design. This work was done by an experienced, skilled and recognized naval architect of the day--not a builder. Bill Tripp was 45 years old and at the peak of his career when he drew up the Columbia 50. He had been raised entirely within the CCA period, and got his start at the best CCA design offices in the world (Philip Rhodes and Olin Stephens). Working in close collaboration with Dick Valdes and Columbia Yachts, as a team they were all clearly intent on getting every design detail just right (read the Design Development story here.) Between (1) the timing at the end of the CCA period (when all the "lessons learned" had been captured), (2) the fact that the boat is a bit larger than most, and (3) its racing success, in many ways the Columbia 50 became the crowning achievement of--and a kind of ultimate tribute to--the CCA Rule and its uniquely positive effect on yacht design. (Not long after the Columbia 50 was introduced the International Offshore Rule (IOR) was adopted. Yacht design thenceforth went off in a different direction, ultimately with some notably negative effects.)
3. Unusually Practical Deck and Interior Layouts for Sailors Who Are Going to Sea
In comparison to most boats, the Columbia 50 has incredible ergonomics, manifest in unusually practical deck and interior layouts that benefit both cruising and racing purposes. The boat's most significant and relatively unique features in this regard are:
4. The Only Fleet of Large, Thoroughbred CCA Raceboats in Existence
The Columbia 50 "fleet" of large CCA raceboats is the only one of its kind, somehow making ownership even more fun; the boat is both unusual and special but commonly recognized and appreciated by knowledgeable sailing enthusiasts at the same time. Earlier large boats of the CCA period were built as one-offs or in relatively small numbers and, because they were built in wood, are mostly gone by now. Smaller ones are typically gone as well--even the ones produced in fiberglass at the end of the CCA period, probably partly because they didn't represent such significant financial investments on the parts of their owners in the first place, and maybe also because they weren't necessarily such great designs. Said another way, the Columbia 50 fleet survived because the boats were "big," compared to most other yachts, really "good," from a design perspective, and "durable," because even though fiberglass was new, it turned out to be a great material from which to build boats.
5. Historic Leader in Fiberglass Technology For Large Yacht Construction
Finally, introduced at the dawn of the fiberglass era in yacht construction (an era which continues to this day), and as the largest fiberglass sailboat in production in the U.S. at that time, it's fun to know that the Columbia 50 historically "led the way forward" with the new material for larger and larger boats to follow. Columbia Yachts was on the forefront in the use of fiberglass for yacht construction in the 1960s and the Columbia 50 was their flagship.
In at least one way of thinking, these are some of the things that make the Columbia 50 unique and "great" in the world of sailboats. No other yacht or yacht design can lay claim to a similar set of attributes and achievements (although you can read about some Notable Comparisons on this website).
Who in 1965 thought it might turn out this way? 50+ years later...not just a boat, but a fleet...still sails to forever remind us of the best of CCA design, as well as serving as a lasting tribute to the leading-edge skills of its renowned designer and progressive-thinking builders.
This website is intended primarily to serve Columbia 50 owners. But if you are new to the boat and want information, it may also be of interest to you. Perhaps the biggest point is this: The Columbia 50 is the epitome of the term "a modern classic." It has a classic CCA, all-weather design that, because it is both beautiful and functional, will never go out of style. And it was built with durable and lasting modern materials and construction methods that are still in use today.
One thing is for certain: For our lifetimes and beyond, Columbia 50s will be just as they were when first introduced in 1965, loved, appreciated and cared for by knowledgeable sailors who want beautiful boats upon which to enjoy the wind, water and oceans of the world.
"Life begins at 50!"
Happy sailing, and welcome!
The "Columbia 50" is a sailboat designed by William Tripp, Jr. and built predominantly by Columbia Yachts in Costa Mesa, California starting about 1965. For many reasons it is one of the very best production sailing yachts of all time.
The purposes of the Columbia 50 Fleet Record and Owners' Network website are:
- to celebrate a great boat that has made a lot of people happy!
- to promote appreciation and help preserve the unique place of the Columbia 50 and its design in the annals of yachting history.
- to maintain fleet records of boat ownership and usage, as well as other relevant information.
- to enhance the extent to which current owners are able to maintain and enjoy their boats.
- to make good information easily available to prospective future owners of Columbia 50s.
- to provide a private means (a network) whereby owners may communicate easily with each other.
The Bigger Picture:
Philosophically speaking, some things deserve to be marked for their place in history--to be recognized and remembered. With over 50 years of sailing history in their logbooks, and in view of the joy Columbia 50s have brought to all of their owners and admirers over the years, it seems appropriate to consider the design's qualifications in that regard.
[read more, con't]
An interesting thing has happened. Today, one need only pick up a sailing magazine or walk through a marina to realize that 50-foot fiberglass "production" sailboats are common. But there was a time when they were completely unheard of, until the Columbia 50 came along. Not only was the Columbia 50 the first, it was also a notable first--a great boat in its own right.
"First" is easy to substantiate; it is an undeniable fact, and an important milestone in the boatbuilding industry, given the number of fiberglass sailboats 50 feet and over today. But what is it that makes the Columbia 50 "great?" The term implies that the boat stands out in comparison to other boats--that it is unique in some better way. In the case of the Columbia 50, it is actually a combination of things that, taken together, just seem to work extremely well:
1. A Great Sailing Boat In Its Own Right
First, the Columbia 50 is simply a great sailing boat and, to many, also a beautiful sailing boat. As might be expected, with their professional reputations at stake, yacht designers put a lot of effort into boats intended for racing. That extra effort makes a difference in the way a boat sails. Race boats tend to be faster and sail better than boats not intended for racing, and the Columbia 50 stands out even when compared to other racing sailboats. Consequently, whether or not you are racing, the boat handles, sails and just feels "right," no matter what the wind and waves are doing. It's a great sailing boat. And if you're looking at one, most knowledgeable yachtsmen agree that the CCA (Cruising Club of America) rating rule fostered the most beautiful of all sailboats ever. At 50 feet, the Columbia 50 is large enough to accommodate standing headroom inside without raising freeboard or adding a long trunk cabin, further enhancing the boat's graceful sheer.
2. The Very Best of CCA Design
The CCA rule dominated yacht design thinking for several decades and was wonderful because, unlike many modern rating rules, it encouraged the development of fast, able boats without compromising seaworthiness, comfort or safety. Using that advantageous baseline as a springboard, enormous further effort was put into the Columbia 50 design work in particular, making it even better--the best of CCA design. This work was done by an experienced, skilled and recognized naval architect of the day--not a builder. Bill Tripp was 45 years old and at the peak of his career when he drew up the Columbia 50. He had been raised entirely within the CCA period, and got his start at the best CCA design offices in the world (Philip Rhodes and Olin Stephens). Working in close collaboration with Dick Valdes and Columbia Yachts, as a team they were all clearly intent on getting every design detail just right (read the Design Development story here.) Between (1) the timing at the end of the CCA period (when all the "lessons learned" had been captured), (2) the fact that the boat is a bit larger than most, and (3) its racing success, in many ways the Columbia 50 became the crowning achievement of--and a kind of ultimate tribute to--the CCA Rule and its uniquely positive effect on yacht design. (Not long after the Columbia 50 was introduced the International Offshore Rule (IOR) was adopted. Yacht design thenceforth went off in a different direction, ultimately with some notably negative effects.)
3. Unusually Practical Deck and Interior Layouts for Sailors Who Are Going to Sea
In comparison to most boats, the Columbia 50 has incredible ergonomics, manifest in unusually practical deck and interior layouts that benefit both cruising and racing purposes. The boat's most significant and relatively unique features in this regard are:
- A large, flush deck forward that is easy to move around on and work, for sail handling, dinghy handling, or whatever, enabled by a relatively small doghouse placed well aft that does an unusually good job of protecting the cockpit because it is a little higher than a typical trunk cabin.
- A ladder from the cockpit into the dinette/galley/nav area under the doghouse that has just three easy steps. When you consider how many times in the course of a day you go from the cockpit to the interior (to eat, cook, navigate or whatever), and vice versa, this may be one of the boat's most outstanding attributes.
- Enormous light and wonderful views outside from within the galley/dinette/nav area because of the big windows all around. This fact, combined with the fact that the trip there from the cockpit is so easy, means that you never feel like you're descending down into a "cave." A significant added benefit is the fact that the view forward is good enough that it is not unreasonable to use the area almost as a pilothouse of sorts when you want to get out of the weather underway.
- Two pilot and two settee berths in the center of the boat, in a "sleeping area" that is completely separate from the dinette/galley/nav area. This is simply the best possible arrangement at sea for a crew of four to get good rest (albeit at the cost of the two-couple privacy of separate cabins fore and aft that modern boats designed primarily to be in a marina typically have). And if you need two more berths at sea the vee berth in a Columbia 50 is entirely usable. Without the filler piece it is really two very good singles (suitable even for lee-cloths), and it is so far aft that the motion of the boat is far more reasonable there than it is on most boats. In port it still serves beautifully as a private owner's cabin.
- A tremendous amount of very valuable and easily accessible storage in the ends of the boat, since a design priority over function at sea--rather than privacy in port--meant bunks would not be jammed into those spaces.
- Numerous other smaller details that, in sum, add up to a lot. For example, Bill Tripp drew up multiple interior arrangements for the Columbia 50. Columbia Yachts then went ahead and built numerous variations in wood in the first 31 boats before finally settling on the optimal arrangement--an arrangement that was reflected in the fiberglass "pan liner" used in the second half of the production run. From the location and arrangement of the foul weather gear locker, that drains directly to a deep bilge while capturing engineroom heat to dry wet gear, to a place on deck planned and set aside for stowing a hard dinghy, to the luxury of a separate stall shower, and a thousand other things, this boat has been exceedingly carefully thought through by a skilled designer and then iterated to perfection by builders who knew what they were doing.
4. The Only Fleet of Large, Thoroughbred CCA Raceboats in Existence
The Columbia 50 "fleet" of large CCA raceboats is the only one of its kind, somehow making ownership even more fun; the boat is both unusual and special but commonly recognized and appreciated by knowledgeable sailing enthusiasts at the same time. Earlier large boats of the CCA period were built as one-offs or in relatively small numbers and, because they were built in wood, are mostly gone by now. Smaller ones are typically gone as well--even the ones produced in fiberglass at the end of the CCA period, probably partly because they didn't represent such significant financial investments on the parts of their owners in the first place, and maybe also because they weren't necessarily such great designs. Said another way, the Columbia 50 fleet survived because the boats were "big," compared to most other yachts, really "good," from a design perspective, and "durable," because even though fiberglass was new, it turned out to be a great material from which to build boats.
5. Historic Leader in Fiberglass Technology For Large Yacht Construction
Finally, introduced at the dawn of the fiberglass era in yacht construction (an era which continues to this day), and as the largest fiberglass sailboat in production in the U.S. at that time, it's fun to know that the Columbia 50 historically "led the way forward" with the new material for larger and larger boats to follow. Columbia Yachts was on the forefront in the use of fiberglass for yacht construction in the 1960s and the Columbia 50 was their flagship.
In at least one way of thinking, these are some of the things that make the Columbia 50 unique and "great" in the world of sailboats. No other yacht or yacht design can lay claim to a similar set of attributes and achievements (although you can read about some Notable Comparisons on this website).
Who in 1965 thought it might turn out this way? 50+ years later...not just a boat, but a fleet...still sails to forever remind us of the best of CCA design, as well as serving as a lasting tribute to the leading-edge skills of its renowned designer and progressive-thinking builders.
This website is intended primarily to serve Columbia 50 owners. But if you are new to the boat and want information, it may also be of interest to you. Perhaps the biggest point is this: The Columbia 50 is the epitome of the term "a modern classic." It has a classic CCA, all-weather design that, because it is both beautiful and functional, will never go out of style. And it was built with durable and lasting modern materials and construction methods that are still in use today.
One thing is for certain: For our lifetimes and beyond, Columbia 50s will be just as they were when first introduced in 1965, loved, appreciated and cared for by knowledgeable sailors who want beautiful boats upon which to enjoy the wind, water and oceans of the world.
"Life begins at 50!"
Happy sailing, and welcome!
Below: Photos of West-coast based "Simoon" and "Xanthippe," East-coast based "Hermie" and "Grundoon," as well as the yawl "Aquarius" homeported in Parati, Brazil, spanning over 50 years, show how much fun Columbia 50s can be for racing as well as for cruising, then, now and forever. At least six Columbia 50 circumnavigations are testament to the design's seaworthiness and build quality.
A Columbia 50 can be a great restoration project. With a little initiative, imagination, and time and
money of course, it will be as good or better than a new boat, with the beauty of its history embedded within.
money of course, it will be as good or better than a new boat, with the beauty of its history embedded within.
Columbia 50 Owners' Network
- Life Begins at 50! -
- Life Begins at 50! -