Manufactured by:
Whittaker Corporation
The Bill Tripp designed Columbia 50 debuted in 1965 and was the largest production fiberglass sailboat at that time. It was in production until at least 1982. The original design was sloop rigged, but it was also available as a schooner.
There has been some discussion on the mailing list about Sailcrafter 50s. According to a Columbia history found in some owners manuals, Columbia offerred yacht "kits" under the name Sailcrafter during the years 1971-1974. The C-50 apparently was one of models offerred. The Sailcrafter has an additional skeg between the keel and the rudder. I wonder if this was done to improve the design or if it was to strengthen the hull for shipping - or both?
The following description is a composite from advertisements.
The 50 has
a master stateroom forward and two heads forward, a second stateroom aft,
and three settee berths, bringing accommodations up to seven. There is
a large saloon, a dinette, nav station,and full galley as would be expected
on a craft of this size. Engine placement is below the saloon sole.
The following specifications are from the 1968 Columbia drawing #C50-00-000 submitted by Thos Kite.
Steve and Linda Dashew owned Intermezzo (now Fuera) and circumnavigated with her. They now host the website SetSail.com. Here is some info on the boat. It sounds like it was a Sailcrafter kit.
Dear Steve, I enjoy reading your books. I am curious as to the manufacturer or builder and model year of Intermezzo, the 50' ketch you once owned. She looks very familiar. Was she a production boat or a "one off"? Who was the manufacturer/builder and what year was she built? Thank you, Rick
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Hi Rick: Intermezzo was built from the Columbia 50 molds by Columbia, but as a custom project for the original owner, John Hall. It was during the days of "factory racing" teams, and it was the second 50 they built for him. She had a much taller rig, mizzen, bowsprit to extend the forward triangle, larger rudder than normal, and a timber/plywood interior (as opposed to molded). Regards--Steve Dashew
