Columbia 43s for sale

There were 153 Columbia 43s made, according to one source, so it seems like there's always a few out there for sale. In this space I'll highlight some of the more interesting ones I find. This doesn't imply any endorsement of the boat: in 40-plus years a boat can be improved by caring and knowledgeable owners or trashed by neglect and hard use. Buyer beware. Know everything you can about the boat before you buy it. That said, there aren't many problems that can't be fixed and a good Columbia 43 is worth the effort. If you're selling a Columbia 43 and want to be included in this list please tell me the boat's story and send some pictures.

Hull #2 for sale in San Diego

The second Mark I built is for sale in San Diego. It looks well maintained, but I'm sure it could use some updates. Here's the link:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bod/5300514274.html

I think hull #1, Alcyone, is still for sale. You could buy them both and have a matched set.

The nice little dingy comes with the boat too.

Beautiful Columbia 43 Mark III in Mexico

Here's a beautiful Mark III for sale in Ensenada, Mexico. The broker is in San Diego. Here's a link to the ad: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bod/5296900349.html

The broker did a nice job with a YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1H9Cy88hf0&feature=youtu.be

Hull Number One, Alcyone is for sale

Alcyone, the Columbia 43 hull number one with a Columbia 50 deck, is for sale. The owners, Dave and Betsy, moved to Bend and decided to pass the boat along. They are asking $75,000.
The inside is beautifully finished with teak covering most of the fiberglass pan, including the sole. Many custom-from-the-factory features. You can tell this was a special boat. The inside is in good shape. The outside needs some work.

They have her listed with a local boat broker, so she's easy to get a look at if you ever visit Newport, Ore. The broker's email is pacboatsales(at)gmail.com.

Alcyone is distinctive because she was built with a cut down Columbia 50 deck on her. She really looks different, in a custom, cool way. She has a few inches less freeboard, which really makes her sleek looking . Putting a Columbia 50 deck on the Columbia 43 isn't as weird as it sounds. Both boats have the same maximum beam (12 feet 3 inches) and the 50's waterline is only a foot more than the 43. Of course both boats were designed by Bill Tripp.

The story goes that the first hull was sold to the commodore of the Marina del Rey Yacht Club. He was friends with the president of Columbia Yachts so when he said he wanted the new 43 hull with a Columbia 50 deck, that's what he got. It is a wonderful and unique boat with many custom features beautifully executed.

David and Betsy have owned her for 12  or 13 years. The previous owner sold her after her rudder broke off after it was weakened by corrosion where it enters the hull. He had a new stainless steel rudder shaft put in.

According to the current owner this was the second-to-the-last Columbia 43 made.

Mark III in Panama

This 1974 Columbia 43 Mark III is in Bocas del Toro Panama. The asking price is $65,000. It looks like it went through a total refit about 11 years ago and has had some equipment replaced and updated recently. The pics look nice!

I noticed the contact number on the ad was an Oregon number so I called it and talked to the owner, David. He bought the boat several years ago and cruised the Pacific side of Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama. He and his wife transited the Panama Canal and explored the Caribbean side of Panama. Then they became grandparents and decided to return to Portland, buy a house and get a job. He works as a shipwright at Legendary Yachts.

David said his boat was the second to the last Columbia 43 made. Her maiden voyage was the Transpac race from LA to Honolulu. He doesn't know how the boat did in the race, but he has high praises for how his boat handles and its seakindlyness. "It's easy to sail with two people, or even one for that matter," he said.

The boat has a hard dodger, which he really likes. The owner prior to him replaced the two tanks under the settees with 100-gallon water tanks. It also has teak and fir flooring, which you can see from the pictures is stunning.

According to the ad, "she is a well-found sailboat, offshore cruise ready. U.S. documented vessel, very well maintained. Very beautiful. Total refit of the exterior and interior in 2002. New offshore sails in 2008."
http://www.mostsailboats.org/columbia-mk-iii/