COLUMBIA 26 MK 2
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 25.58 ft |
| LWL | 21.5 ft |
| Beam | 8.5 ft |
| Draft | 4.33 ft |
| Displacement | 5,900 lb |
| Ballast | 2,499.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 31.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 26.3 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 321.6 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 165.4 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 281.1 sq ft |
About the COLUMBIA 26 MK 2
Shoal draft model: 3.16'/.96m Thanks to Michael Giblin for providing an owner's manual. Thanks to Ed Ramsey II for providing corrections and additional information.
Designed by William H. Tripp Jr. and built by Columbia Yachts/Whittaker Corp.(USA), the Columbia 26 MK 2 is a classic 1960s cruiser with 950 hulls produced between 1969–1977. This data-driven synthesis highlights its reputation as a robust, manageable sloop, while flagging specific structural concerns reported by owners.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors seeking a manageable masthead sloop with a comfortable interior, as evidenced by the prevalence of outboard engines like Mercury and Yamaha for easy trailering and dockside handling.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 5900.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.88, the boat offers moderate offshore capability suitable for protected coastal passages, though its fin keel and relatively light displacement suggest it is not designed for extreme heavy-weather bluewater voyaging.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 26-foot fin-keel sloops from the late 1960s and 1970s, such as the O'Day 26 or Pearson 26, due to similar displacement (5900.0 lb) and beam (8.5 ft) dimensions that prioritize stability and interior volume over pure racing performance.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceEstimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 25.58ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
4 reported issues across 4 systems for the COLUMBIA 26 MK 2, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a COLUMBIA 26 MK 2? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 4 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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