What are your opinions on the Columbia 34 as a capable, roomy, safe off-shore cruising yacht?
Being high wooded I can imagine a dry ride, and all that freeboard affords a nice flush deck minus the small coach house.
Anyone have any experience with this design? I've read some fairly disparaging remarks but am still interested, for interests sake.
I dream of sailing the South Pacific in a few years so am just doing mental excercises at this stage, and I'm am kind of predisposed to the double ender types, of which the C34 is obviously not.
Example:
Please view this ad:
Columbia 34ft Sailing Yacht,http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/geelong-west/sail-boats/columbia-34ft-sailing-yacht/1116718284?utm_source=com.google.android.apps.docs&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttonsVIP&utm_content=app_android
Price: $49,000 Negotiable (maybe $40k on a good day)
G'Day Ashley,
Presuming the one you are looking at is built by International Marine Melbourne (also built Bertram's) do not take much notice about the poorly built US model reports. In saying that you would survey anyway. You will be really struggling to find another boat of that era in Aust. with such quality build and fitout below. A number of them as well as the 27's were used in the Whitsundays as bareboat charter.
International Marine built over 50,000 boats over the years .
Think of floating caravan.
From my experience sailing one inPPB..
On the plus side
Great for entertaining
Very dry boat.
mainsheet traveller on coach roof out of the way and boom not a problem in cockpit
six foot plus headroom below with 
lots of room for a 34
Hugh flat roof for lounging about etc.
very easy to sail.
Downside
not a speedster
even though small sail plan one needs to reef earlier than other boats ( they heel over a fairway with too much sail)
need a ladder to get on from the water.
If I were to sail one on ocean voyages I would look closely at the rigging and where it is attached to hull.
If wanting to get more info I would be contacting St.Kilda Marina Melb. and ask for contact with owners ( there is a relationship between the marina and International Marine.
Most Columbia 34s are ex charter fleet (been bumped around a bit). Plenty of room below, not noted for sailing ability and usually overpriced.
Up to you.
Not a yacht I would ever consider buying even for $20,000 unless I had a buyer lined up for $30,000 plus.
That Cole I linked to above has been sold now. Someone got them selves a bargain.
