Hi Steve, I’m reading Offshore Cruising Enc. at the moment, which is excellent. We are a couple in the mid 30’s and plan to set sail along the Tradewinds on a Columbia 43 (MK I – 1970) we have seen and plan to buy. As you started in a Columbia 50, we would appreciate your feelings about Columbia 43’s for Tradewind sailing (and maybe more in future). We are not too happy with the deep draft and the unprotected rudder, however, she seems safe, comfortable, with lots of room and most importantly, she would be in line with our budget for that size of waterline! Any thoughts? Thanks a lot !!! Stephan
The first time I was aboard a Columbia 43 I thought “what a clever design”. High volume hull and interior, reasonable fins, not a bad cruising cockpit. This was many, many years ago, and Bill Tripp Sr., the designer, was in his prime.
The only thing I didn’t like was the high freeboard, in the context of getting back aboard if someone went over. I still don’t know the answer to that one–except a good system for hoisting. But then this is now a feature of all modern boats and the freeboard doesn’t look so high any more!
Assuming the boat is structurally sound–something you will want to check with a thorough survey–there is no reason not to go cruising in a Col 43. They offer a lot of boat for the money. The spade rudder does not bother me, again as long as it is sound, and offers good control. Draft can be a problem in some areas, but you probably know those trade-offs. And there is no substitute for draft when it comes to performance.
Just be sure to carefully survey the boat, paying attention to the keel, rudder, rig, bulkhead connections, chain plates, and all the other usual items. Good Luck–Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
