Manufactured by:
275 McCormick Ave., Costa Mesa, California 92626
It finally had to happen - some owners have started an email discussion list for their model. Here's where to find them:
Columbia 31 email discussion list on Yahoo Groups.
The following information is from a Columbia ad that I have and another one that John Broughton has. There are a few items that seem to have changed over the years. According to John's notes, there were 97 C31s built between 1965 and 1968.
MY JOHN BROUGHTON'S
BROCHURE BROCHURE
Length Overall: 30' 9" 30' 6"
Length Waterline: 21' 9" 21' 9"
Beam: 9' 10"
Draft (bd up): 3' 1"
Draft (bd dn): 7' 1"
Sail Area: 423 sq. ft.
Displacement: 8,500 lbs.
Ballast (lead): 3,400 lbs.
Headroom: 6'
Berths: 6
Auxiliary: Universal 30 HP
Water Capacity: 20 gal 22 gal
Fuel Capacity: 15 gal 25 gal
Verticle clearance: 39"
CCA Rating: 23.4 21.1
Designer: Charles Morgan
Price less sails: $13,950
The manufacturer's plate with the hull number and engine SN# of my 1967 C-31 (#77) was on the starboard pilot berth bulkhead, way down low. It indicated that Columbia had factories in Portsmouth, VA and Costa Mesa, CA. I'm pretty sure the boat was made in Portsmouth. -Steve Gaber
Here's some info from Steve about the engine/transmission/prop.
Columbia 31s on the Chesapeake BayWhat to do about a stuck centerboard? Here's some advice:
You've gotten yourself a terrific sailboat, and on this list you will find that one of the most knowledgeable boat-owners anywhere, Steve Gaber, has the same boat. He'll be able to answer all of your questions. However, on the subject of freeing up a stuck centerboard...I have many hours of first hand experience. With the boat up out of the water, you will need a six pound sledge hammer (short handle), a six foot 4"x4", some good sized wood blocks, and a standard size hand saw. Lay on your back and run the saw up between the board and the trunk so that you loosen up all the barnacles and crud. Do that thoroughly. Then with the 4x4 over a wooden block rock the board up and down and you will see it will start to drop just a little more each time you work on it. If you get it free in only one day consider yourself blessed. I use the hammer to whack the board from the side...it all seems to help the effort. The pivot pin is about a foot back from the forward edge of the board, and if you scrape around you will find it.
Here is some information aboutColumbia 31s on the Chesapeake Bay.
It wasn't uncommon for early Columbias to get custom work done before leaving the factory:
Ahoy all ye sailors of well-designed boats. Oh, I feel the luckiest guy. I have just purchased this C-31, originally named "First Flight", from the original owner. He had her laid up with two extra layers of glass and a cabin with four inches extra head room. Traditional layout and new rigging and Westerbeake! The best of everything going on in this world. She's in Elizabeth City, N.C. I plan to bring her down on the Albemarle Sound further after I complete new CG documentation. Where shall we all meet? Annapolis sounds good, or Ocracoke? Do we all realize how extraordinary these boats are? I'm gonna get a 10 lb. block of ice and stay gone for a week. Keep your dreams alive! Best, E Mattsson