Steve:
Welcome!
Columbia 26 is a nice boat. I used to sail and cruise on one in Grand Lake in Oklahoma. Despite its "chunky" look, I found it sailed real well in both heavy and light air.. It had enough mass to push through the 2-foot chop common there.
There is a real nice one up here in Everett, and there is someone else who cruises the San Juans extensively, in all kinds of bad weather. I tried to find the article in
48° North - The Sailing Magazine, but failed. I will look some more.
Did you keep the outboard in the original well, or move it?
David