COLUMBIA 56
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 56.5 ft |
| LWL | 40.67 ft |
| Beam | 13 ft |
| Draft | 8 ft |
| Displacement | 45,000 lb |
| Ballast | 22,000.5 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.5 kn |
About the COLUMBIA 56
Motorsailer based on the COLUMBIA 57 hull. Also sold as the SAILCRAFTER 52. Another version built in Italy and called the COLITALIA 56.
Designed by William Tripp Jr. and built by Columbia Yachts (USA), the Columbia 56 is a rare and substantial vessel with only 18 hulls constructed between 1974 and 1975. Its authoritative specifications confirm a displacement of 45000.0 lb and a masthead ketch rig, reflecting a serious offshore pedigree.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for experienced bluewater cruisers seeking a heavy-displacement, comfortable passage maker, as evidenced by its high comfort ratio of 50.29 and substantial ballast of 22000.5 lb.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.47 and a high displacement/length ratio of 298.64, the Columbia 56 is inherently stable and well-suited for offshore passages, prioritizing safety and comfort over speed.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include other William Tripp designs like the Columbia 40 or 46, as well as heavy ketches from the mid-1970s such as the O'Day 38 or Pearson 365, sharing similar displacement characteristics and cruising-oriented layouts.
Direct variant of the COLUMBIA 56
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Market Price
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 56.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
1 documented issues across 1 systems, documented on the near-identical sister model COLUMBIA 57. The COLUMBIA 56 shares its hull, so these findings apply.
This variant has a different rig (Masthead Ketch vs Masthead Sloop); those items are flagged below. Everything else is hull/structural and applies directly.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a COLUMBIA 56? 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 1 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes (from sister model COLUMBIA 57, rig/keel differences flagged)
- ✓ 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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Used sails that fit the COLUMBIA 56
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