Here's a link to a great article reviewing the Columbia 43 when it was the hot new boat:
Boating, July/August 1971.
There is a lot of interesting detail in this long article in which the two writers spend three days at Columbia's Costa Mesa plant and sail aboard a Columbia 43 named Yankee Clipper in the Pacific off Newport.
One interesting thing throughout the article is when they mention optional equipment the writers include the price. For example: double life lines, $475; bow pulpit, $165; stern pulpit, $185; pedestal steering with 5" Danforth compass, $2000; Dacron dodger, $335; hot-and-cold pressure water system, $740; decorator kit $467 (which included fabric on the cushions instead of the standard vinyl and groovy nylon shag carpet); two Dorade ventilators, $195; Perkins Four 107 diesel, $2050.
The extras really add up. In the article they say the base price of a 43 in 1971 was $32,995 FOB at the factory. The boat the writers sailed cost more than $43,000.
Here's an interesting paragraph describing in detail how the keel is attached:
"With a 10,250-pound cast iron fin keel hanging on the bottom of the boat, we were interested in the method used to secure same. We found that the keel flange is flushed into a recess or pocket in the hull. Prior to attachment, the keel is given a dry run to check for accurate fit in the recess. If all is not well, the flange is ground to suit--the pocket is never ground except to remove gel coat. When the fit is satisfactory, the recess is coated with a thick application of Furane Epibond, and epoxy compound. With the entire weight of the boat resting on the keel, ten 3/4" dia cotton-wrapped bolts, nuts, flat washers and lock washers are installed. Internally the keel weight is distributed by a heavy, glassed-in platform and a series of steel transverse channels that pickup the keel bolts. We were convinced that the keel is there to stay."
The writers had the vice president of engineering as a tour guide during their visit to the Columbia shipyard. Here's the Columbia 43 layup schedule: First the female mold is sprayed with 10-to 20-mil gel coat, then two layers of 3-ounce mat, a layer of 24-ounce woven roving followed by 3-ounce mat, then 20-ounce roving, 1.5-ounce mat, 3/8-inch balsa coring, a 2-ounce mat and 24-ounce roving.
They go into similar detail on the hull-to-deck joint, another mystery solved for many 43 owners.
In 1971, when the article was written, Columbia had a 35 to 40 percent share of the American auxiliary sailboat market.
Lots of great detail in the article, including good descriptions of the 43 under sail. This is a must read for people interested in Columbia 43s.
Most Columbia 43s came with Barlow 30 winches. Here's a good site with specific information on how to service them: http://cncphotoalbum.com/winches/bar30_32_2sp.htm.
Here are some scans from the owner's manual that came with the Columbia 43. Thanks to Karen Gray of Serendipity.
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