Columbia 24 Challenger Explained

Columbia 24 Challenger
Insignia:File:Columbia 24 Challenger sail badge.png
Insignia Size:100px
Designer:Joseph McGlasson
Location:United States
Year:1962
No Built:534
Builder:Columbia Yachts
Draft:3.33feet
Displacement:39300NaN0
Hull Type:monohull
Construction:fiberglass
Loa:24.33feet
Lwl:18feet
Beam:8feet
Engine:outboard motor
Keel Type:modified long keel
Ballast:18000NaN0
Rudder Type:keel-mounted rudder
Rig Type:Bermuda rig
I:30.1feet
J:9feet
P:27feet
E:11.3feet
Sailplan:masthead sloop
Sailarea Main:152.55square feet
Sailarea Headsail:135.45square feet
Sailarea Total:288square feet
Phrf:258
Previous:Columbia 24

The Columbia 24 Challenger, or Columbia Challenger 24, is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Joseph McGlasson and first built in 1962.[1] [2] [3]

The design is a raised-deck development of the Columbia 24, which, in turn, was a development of the Islander 24.[1] [3]

Production

The design was built by Columbia Yachts in the United States between 1962 and 1968, with 534 boats completed, but it is now out of production.[1] [3] [4]

Design

The Columbia 24 Challenger was intended as a raised-deck, economy model for the Columbia line and sold at a lower price than the Columbia 24, due to lower production costs.[3]

The Columbia 24 Challenger is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig; a spooned raked stem; a raised counter, angled transom; a keel-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed modified long keel, with a cut-away forefoot. It displaces 39300NaN0 and carries 18000NaN0 of lead ballast.[1] [3] [5]

The boat has a draft of 3.33feet with the standard keel.[1] [3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 3to outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1] [3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settees in the main cabin. A galley was optional. The head is located in the bow cabin, under the "V"-berth. Cabin headroom is 48inches.[1] [3]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 258 and a hull speed of 5.7kn.[3]

Operational history

In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "the Challenger was Columbia's 'economy model,' with essentially the same hull and sail plan as the Columbia Contender 24 ... but instead of a trunk cabin with doghouse, the Challenger has a raised deck. Back in 1963, she was $1,000 less expensive than the doghouse version 'due to substantial savings in production cost,' according to an ad of the time ... Best features: When she was first introduced, this economical and relatively roomy 24-footer would be hard to beat for value. Worst features: The 4-berth layout is similar to the Contender 24, but simplified, with cooking gear optional. Some sailors might prefer the extra amenities available in the doghouse model (and in many other boats)."[3]

See also

Related development

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Columbia 24 Challenger sailboat . 20 February 2021. McArthur. Bruce . sailboatdata.com. 2020. https://archive.today/20210220155242/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/columbia-24-challenger. 20 February 2021. live.
  2. Web site: Joseph McGlasson. 20 February 2021. McArthur. Bruce . sailboatdata.com. 2021. https://archive.today/20210220155420/https://sailboatdata.com/designer/mcglasson-joseph. 20 February 2021. live.
  3. Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 316. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010.
  4. Web site: Columbia Yachts 1961 - . 20 February 2021. McArthur. Bruce . sailboatdata.com. 2021. https://archive.today/20210218150525/https://sailboatdata.com/builder/columbia-yachts. 18 February 2021. live.
  5. Web site: Columbia 24 Challenger Specifications. 20 February 2021. columbia-yachts.com. https://archive.today/20210220165734/http://columbia-yachts.com/c-24chal.html. 20 February 2021. live.