'Lusty', my Columbia 56 Sailboat is for Sale
by owner Maxson Smith

'Lusty' is one of only a small handful of known Columbia 56 sailboats left in the world. This large and impressive ocean sailing yacht has recently completed a very long rebuild and refit where NOTHING was left untouched.

'Lusty' nears completion of her extensive rebuild and refit...

There is nothing original on this vessel besides the rig, which was stripped and painted as part of the refit. Wires, hoses, fittings, equipment, electronics, rigging, hardware - everything is new. She is turns heads wherever she goes.

'Lusty' under full sail...

'Lusty' was built for true bluewater excursion. Outfitted with no expense spared for ocean crossing adventure, she is ready to hit the trade winds with a new complement of Quantum cruising sails, yet has the fuel capacity and horsepower to motor 3,000nm under power alone. 'Lusty' can take you anywhere your dreams can imagine with total confidence and comfort.

Supper anyone?

Published Specification for the Columbia 56

Underwater Profile: Fin Keel & Skeg-hung Rudder
Accommodation: 3 Staterooms / 2 Heads
Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall: 56'6" (17.22m)
Waterline Length: 40' 8" (12.4m)
Beam: 13'0" (3.66m)
Draft: 8' 0" (2.44m)
Rig Type: Masthead sloop
Displacement: 45,000 lb (20,412kg)
Ballast (Lead): 22,000 lb (9,979kg)
Designer: William Tripp Jr
Builder: Columbia Sailing Yachts (USA)
Year First Built: 1974
Year Last Built: 1975
Number Built: 18

'Lusty's welcoming interior

Mechanical

'Lusty' is an efficient and comfortable sailor, and has the power and range to motor through any condition.

At 8 knots hull speed, under power alone, the 4-53 Detroit diesel engine runs at 1400 to 1500 rpm and consumes about one gallon per hour in a normal sea.

Downwind, or when motorsailing, the consumption is lower.

The fuel tanks hold about 350 gallons which is about 3000 or more knots on the engine alone! Lloyd's of London rated 'Lusty' for unlimited cruising.

The engine room...

Major equipment added in 2020-2023:

Anchoring

125lb Mantus Anchor & Swivel;
600ft 3/8" Chain

Columbia 56, 'Lusty', prepares to anchor

Preparing to drop the hook...

Domestics

Danfoss Fridge /Freezer Compressors;
Custom Front Opening Fridge /Freezer;
Kenyan 2 Burner Induction Stove Gimballed with Electric Oven Underneath;
50lb/day ice maker;
Sinks and Faucets;
41gph Seawater Pro Watermaker with Extra Pump;
Cockpit Shower;
Fore and Aft Fresh and Saltwater Washdown Hookups;
Seagull Fresh Water Filter System (for drinking water and ice maker);
Full Size Front Load Washer and Separate Vented Dryer

The galley...

Electrical

Northern Lights 10kw Generator;
1,120AH LiFePo4 Batteries;
1,980w QCell Solar Panels;
170A Balmar Alternator and Regulator;
Bow Thruster, Side-Power SE130, 12V, Twin 5-blade Props 286 lbs of Thrust;
(2) Victron Multiplus 3000 Charger Inverter;
(2) Victron 100A MPPT;
Victron Cerbus;
Victron BMV-12;
All new AC and DC Wiring (ALL of it);
Custom AC/DC Breaker Panels;
LED Cabin and Cockpit Lights;
Bow, Stern, Masthead LED Running Lights

The battery bank...

Electronics & Instrumentation

Starlink Satellite Internet;
Full NMEA 2000 Backbone;
B&G Vulcan 12” MFD;
(2) B&G Triton Multi-function Displays;
B&G Triton Autopilot & Controller;
Octopus Hydraulic Autopilot Pump;
B&G Rudder Sensor;
B&G Precision 9 compass and sensor;
B&G 4G Radar;
B&G Wireless Wind Sensor;
Navico Depth/Speed/Temperature Triducer;
Vesper Class B AIS Transceiver;
B&G Class B AIS Transceiver V60 VHF;
B&G GPS Antenna;
Fusion NMEA Bluetooth Stereo with inside/outside speaker zones

DC & AC Control Panels...

On Deck

Solid Lasercut Stainless Steel Toerail;
32" Stainless Steel Double Hand Rails;
Full Custom Solar Arch with Electric Davit Dinghy Lift;
Stainless Steel Boarding Ladder

The flat-screen TV...

Plumbing

All Whale Push-Connect Fresh Water Fittings and Hoses;
(2) Crown Ratitan Marine Elegance Electric Toilets;
16,000 BTU Webasto FCF Air Conditioning Unit - Cool with Reverse Cycle Heat;
11gal Quick Nautic Boiler B3 1200W w/Heat Exchanger;
All Whale Gulper Sump and Macerating Pumps (4);
Oil Exchange Pump;
All Top-of-the-Line Triton Hoses

One of the two head compartments...

Sails & Rigging

Quantum Sails Cruising Triple Reef Main;
Quantum Sails Cruising 135 Genoa;
New 316 Stainless Standing Rigging;
All Sta-loc Fittings and Turnbuckles;
Schaffer 4300 Roller Furler;
Tides Marine Strong Track Sail Track System;
Andersen 53 Electric Winch in cockpit;
All Control and Reefing Lines Led to Cockpit;
Deck Hardware;
Running Rigging

Pulling nicely!

Other Fittings & Fixtures

Countertops, Cabinetry, and Hardware;
White Subway tile backsplash;
All Tables, Countertops, Settees, Windows, Hatches, Ports, Windows;
Memory Foam Mattresses (fore and aft);
Queen Size Froli Bed System in Master;
All Sunbrella Cushions (inside and out);
Sunbrella Cockpit Enclosure (with dual tracks for windows or bug screens);
Sunbrella Shade Covers (bow to stern);
Infinity Woven Vinyl Flooring Throughout and in Cockpit

Asking Price & Contacting the Owner

Asking $249,000 or reasonable offer!

Comfort, capability, size, and technology; our Columbia 56 has it all.

There is absolutely no better example of a turnkey ready cruiser in her class.

Launched in November of 2020 after a complete rebuild, 'Lusty' is for sale in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for just $249,000.

Business requires us to pause our world travels for a few years and we cannot imagine her rotting away sadly in a marina somewhere.

She is currently available for showing and trials for qualified buyers.

So if you need more information or would like to be 'Lusty's new owner, please contact me, Maxson Smith, here...

What is the Columbia 56 sailboat like to sail?

Based on Published Design Ratios for the Columbia 56:

Her Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 12.1 tells us that she will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing will be the way to go.

Her Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 48.9 means that she will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

Her Displacement/Length Ratio of 299 tells us she is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline.

Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 50.3 suggests that the comfort of her crew in a seaway would be similar to that associated with the motion of an extremely heavy bluewater cruising yacht - and that's as comfortable as life ever gets on a sailing boat!

More about Design Ratios...