COLUMBIA 9.6
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 31.5 ft |
| LWL | 23.75 ft |
| Beam | 10.17 ft |
| Draft | 5.5 ft |
| Displacement | 10,200 lb |
| Ballast | 4,500.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.5 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 40.15 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 13.15 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 35.09 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11 ft |
| FLforestay | 13.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 472.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 264 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 448.8 sq ft |
About the COLUMBIA 9.6
Designed to rate at the half ton level under the IOR rule. Another version was finished by Kettenburg Yachts and called the KETTENBURG 32. Kettenburg had recently been purchased by Columbia's parent company, Whittaker Corp.
Designed by Alan Payne and built by Columbia Yachts (USA) from 1975–1979, the Columbia 9.6 is a robust 31.5 ft masthead sloop with 150 hulls produced. Its substantial displacement of 10200.0 lb and high comfort ratio of 27.52 reflect a design prioritizing stability and seakeeping over pure speed.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and those seeking a comfortable, stable platform for weekend trips or short offshore passages, particularly owners willing to manage aging fiberglass components.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.88 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 339.91, the Columbia 9.6 is well-suited for offshore cruising, though its age requires rigorous structural inspection.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 30 and O'Day 32, which share similar beam dimensions and displacement characteristics from the mid-1970s, offering a balance of cabin space and manageable sail area.
Performance
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
14 listings · boat years 1968–1979 · median $9,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 31.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
17 reported issues across 7 systems for the COLUMBIA 9.6, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a COLUMBIA 9.6? 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 17 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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Used sails that fit the COLUMBIA 9.6
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