Need help deciding to buy a Columbia 26

[BeauBateau]

Good evening all,

I'll keep it short. I'm very new to sailing and have a chance to buy a really inexpensive 26 footer than needs lots of scrubbing and paint. I'm not to worried about resale because the boat is that inexpensive. However, I have one person telling me that a 26 ft cruiser is way too hard to cut my teeth on as a first boat and another telling me that it's not worth buying a 60's boat because they didn't know how to glass back then. His idea is that I might not be able to shine her up proper-like.

Anyway, I need some other opinions because I fear my over enthusiasm and the other's pessimism. Any thoughts?


Oh, part of the allure of the boat is that it has a great trailer which would eliminate a lot of costs for me. It alone may be worth the price of the boat.

Thanks so much.

[sailingdog]

Read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started in the Boat Buying Forum and go over the boat with that in mind....

A 26' is a fine size to start with—large enough to spend some serious time on and have the basic systems of a cruising sailboat, but small enough to have reasonable costs and ease of handling.

[MARC2012]

Older boats are usually better built.Hand laid & usually thicker glass.marc

[JimsCAL]

The Columbia 26 would make a fine starter boat. Almost bought one 30 years ago. Ended up with a Pearson 26. The surface that you will be shining is the gelcoat, not the fiberglass. Getting a 30+ year old boat to shine like new will not be easy. Take a look at Mainesail's sticky elsewhere on this site for some excellent advise on how to do this.

[exkma367]

If you buy let me know. I am just finishing my 2 year restoration of a 1966 Columbia C-26. She is my first sailboat bigger than a dingy, and have sailed her a dozen times. I Have spent several 3 day weekends on her in good comfort. I will have lots of tips for you as I have fabricated a trailer, mast raising system and lots of other fun stuff. It has taken me more time that money, but that works out for me.

[deniseO30]

Knowing what I know now, I never would have bought a smaller then 30 ft. for my first. my first was a Hunter 23.

[BeauBateau]

So, the great news is that I bought the boat. Funny thing is that it turned out that it isn't a 26. In fact, it's a 24 and the topsides probably only need a good clean and polish. Plus, the girlfriend is less intimidated.

I'll be posting regularly to draw from the collective knowledge of the forum. Thanks everyone for your counsel.