Columbia 26 MkII
Built 1969–1977 by Columbia Yachts (Whittaker Corp.)
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About the Columbia 26 MkII
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1969–1977
- Builder
- Columbia Yachts (Whittaker Corp.)
- Designer
- William H. Tripp Jr.
- Length
- 25.58 ft
- Waterline
- 21.5 ft
- Beam
- 8.5 ft
- Draft
- 4.33 ft
- Displacement
- 5,900 lb
- Ballast
- 2,500 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- outboard
- Water
- 13 gal
- Number built
- 950
- Stern thruster
- none
- Steering
- tiller
Outboard-powered pocket cruiser with the Columbia bubble cabintop style; owners fit roughly 8-10 hp outboards on a transom bracket (a well mount is also discussed). Shoal-draft version draws 3.16 ft. Small 13 gal water tank; no factory holding tank on the owner's boat (portable toilet). Only production years 1975-1977 overlap the catalog window. Sources for this model are thin (one owner essay plus sailboatdata).
Known problems for this model
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Unprotected spade rudder steering
The stock rudder has no skeg and is considered undersized in strength; an experienced owner recommends a new, stronger rudder and post before any offshore use.columbia-yachts.com
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Hull-keel joint and keel bolts hull
The same owner lists reinforcing the hull-to-keel joint and renewing keel bolts as part of a serious refit. Ballast is cast iron per sailboatdata.columbia-yachts.com · sailboatdata.com
-
Icebox drains to bilge and hard-to-pump bilge plumbing
The icebox drains into the bilge, causing odors, and on at least some 1974 boats there is no room under the sole for a proper bilge pump pickup forward.columbia-yachts.com
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No insulation, condensation interior
The hull and cabin have no insulation, so condensation and mildew are persistent without active ventilation.columbia-yachts.com
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Transom outboard lifts clear in a seaway running gear
A transom-mounted outboard can ventilate or come out of the water in steep seas, over-revving and shearing the prop pin; heavy motors also stress the transom.columbia-yachts.com
Model sources (2)
Other Columbia models
- Columbia 10.7 1976–1979
- Columbia 8.7 1976–1987
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.