COLUMBIA 43 MIII
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 43.75 ft |
| LWL | 32.67 ft |
| Beam | 12.33 ft |
| Draft | 7 ft |
| Displacement | 22,000 lb |
| Ballast | 10,300.4 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 56 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 18.24 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 48.2 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 14.2 ft |
| FLforestay | 18.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 880.3 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 510.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 868.2 sq ft |
About the COLUMBIA 43 MIII
COLUMBIA 43 modified by Columbia.
The Columbia 43 MIII is a classic American cruising sloop designed by William Tripp Jr. and built by Columbia Sailing Yachts (USA) in 1973, with a total production run of 96 hulls. As a mid-1970s design, it represents a transition period in American yacht building, offering a balance of traditional aesthetics and modern performance metrics for its era.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal and nearshore cruisers who prioritize comfort and ease of handling over extreme speed or heavy offshore endurance. Its moderate displacement and fin keel configuration make it accessible for couples or small families seeking a manageable full-keel alternative.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 22000.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.76, the Columbia 43 MIII offers moderate offshore stability, though its 33.29 comfort ratio suggests it is more tuned for coastal comfort than heavy-weather bluewater passage-making.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from this era include the Cal 40 and the O'Day 38, which share similar displacement ranges and target the same market of comfortable coastal cruisers. These vessels are comparable due to their similar beam-to-length ratios and focus on interior volume over racing performance.
Performance
Estimated Value
Limited DataEstimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 43.75ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the COLUMBIA 43 MIIIyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a COLUMBIA 43 MIII? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the COLUMBIA 43 MIII
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…