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looking to buy a 1969 columbia 36 footer

10K views 15 replies 5 participants last post by  souljour2000 
#1 ·
Hi,

I just found a Columbia 36 1969 sailboat on craigslist. I already gone to the boat and talked with the owner, who is mechanic at marina its moored at.

Its priced at 5500 dollars. Overall it seems to be in good shape for its age, though it is what I call a fixer upper. Rigging is in good shape, along with sails. Nav lights need replacement but thats no big deal. The Diesel engine was just refurbished but needs fuel lines put in. The bottom of the Hull needs to be repainted. This seems to be the biggest thing that needs to be done, there is some paint left but I see fiberglass. If I buy this boat I plan to paint the bottom myself. I do have a lot of experience in painting boats, including painting hull of largest USA submarine. That said, if I buy the boat any recommendations on good paint to buy, I want to repaint it navy blue?

The insides seem to be in good shape, electrical works, though i probably would want to update some of the wiring to support a TV and fridge. Also start work on putting in solar/wind system.

Last, I forgot to ask the seller this question but does this have marine sanitation device or sewage holding tank. I believe it doesnt and I know many states require such. If this doesnt have one how hard is it to put one in?

Last I totally understand this is variable on sailors experience and overall condition, but how does this boat design handle in open ocean say sailing Across pacific to places like say Hawaii or Tahiti?

Thanks

Michael

PS feel free to email me at mjpublic@gmail.com
 
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#3 ·
A couple of things....
Don't do anything until the owner gets the engine running so it can be checked out.
Sanitation requirements aren't just some states, they are federal requirements and you can't discharge untreated waste, so you need either a holding tank or some kind of waste treatment system and even with that, there are "no discharge zones that don't even allow for treated waste, so a holding tank is your best bet.
Have you taken any boating courses? I'm guessing not. You need at the minimum, a boating safety class and preferably, a seamanship class.
 
#4 ·
Okay,

Thanks for your reply though much of what you said I am already aware of. My questions was with in relationship to this model of boat. I had just seen the boat the other day and doing research on that type of boat.

Engine is non issue even if it doesnt work, it could easily be repaired by my friends who are Aux Machinists who are experts in diesels. Plus I can always use an outboard (it has mounting for such)

As far as boating courses, just side note, basic watches I stand include helmsman and also lookout.

Mike
 
#7 ·
That's fine about the engine.
A couple more things, I know you are asking about a Columbia, but you might want to go over the the "Boat purchase and review" forum. A LOT more people read that forum and you will get more response to your questions.
Regarding the classes I suggested, I can't answer for you since you don't list your location, but a lot of states require you take a boating safety class no matter how much experience you have.
 
#9 ·
Like I said, got to the boat purchase and review forum if you want answers to your questions. less than a 100 people have read this thread and I'm the only one who has responded. 10 times more people will read it there and chances are good you will get a lot more responses.
 
#11 ·
We bought a 1969 Columbia 36 two years ago and have done an extensive refit to make her ready for the southern Pacific.

Ours had an original Wilcox toilet that was plumed directly over the side, as was typical for this time. Ours was almost completely stock - no one had screwed her up yet. She also had a new Yanmar 30, so she was a great platform for what we wanted to do.

The 36 was a Crealock design and was really fast. The problem with all Columbias back then was that they were more of a poor man's sailboat. You got a LOT of bang for your buck, but not a lot of teak or amenities. We've cut storage and cabinet space where there was none to solve some of the storage issues, and a lot more. There is a complete list of what we've done thus far, on my blog.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I see it differently..I think that Columbia in those days..invested in a lead mine or two somewhere instead of a teak plantation..God knows there's enough topside teak with the cockpit coamings and toe-rails though.There's enough teak trim around ever fixture inside the cabin to pull off the "Herreschoff-look" while still alllowing many of their boats to have huge sea-comfort and small anti-capsize numbers even in the shoal draft categories due to the lesser weight above waterline......putting 6-8 k of lead into 100 lb packages and glassing them in individually into a keel matrix is alot harder than bolting on a big heavy Iron keel and glassing over the bolt heads...so they spent some man-hours where it counts. My '66 C-40 probably has the cubic foot room of a 70's-90's 34-36-footer...she's very nimble for her 18,000 gross.....Non-bluewater features of my boat IMHO are the keel-stepped mast and big salon windows....as well as sub-standard hatches...I plan to deal with the hatches and salon windows... and according to some...the keel-stepped mast...but that'
s a toss up...some like ;'em to break away when they break... will have to just be...if original it seems to be holding up great...
 
#13 ·
ive owned 4 columbia's, a 43, a 30, and now a 36 and a 29 ( the S@S designed, not the newer Alan payne.) the common weak link and thing to look for are the keel bolts, after 40 plus years they might need attention. the 36 hull is pretty sturdy and she sails very well, very comparable to an islander 36.
lots of storage but water and fuel capacity is limited, but again, very easy to fix as there is plenty of room.
here is a link to my 36 project, expected eta for 2 year cruise is in 2 months....

https://picasaweb.google.com/104905260722286217761/Columbia36?authkey=VSanctpnQjM
 
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