Columbia Challenger 24

Description

The Columbia Challenger (also known as the Columbia 24 Challenger) is a compact, trailerable daysailer and weekender sailboat celebrated for its simplicity, seaworthiness, and value as an entry-level cruiser-racer. Designed by Joseph McGlasson as a raised-deck evolution of the Columbia 24, it was built by Columbia Yachts (a division of Glas Laminates) from 1963 to 1968, with approximately 534 units produced alongside its siblings (Columbia 24 and Contender 24). This masthead sloop features a fin keel, tiller steering, and a no-nonsense fiberglass hull derived from the earlier Islander 24, offering stable handling for beginners or families while competitive in light club racing. At 24 feet, it's lightweight (under 4,000 lbs), easily towed, and sleeps 2–4 in a cozy interior—ideal for coastal hops, lakes, or bay sailing. Columbia Yachts emerged in 1962 when Glas Laminates, a fiberglass pioneer in Southern California, partnered with designer Joseph McGlasson to adapt his wooden Catalina Islander into the molded Islander 24. To expand the lineup, Columbia created the Challenger as a raised-deck variant of the Columbia 24 hull, specifically to rival the popular Cal 20 on the West Coast—offering similar performance with added headroom and interior volume at a competitive price (~$3,000 new in 1964). The design retained the smooth-hulled mold (sans the Islander 24's faux-plank texture) and shared tooling with the trunk-cabin Contender 24, allowing efficient production. Built in Newport Beach, CA, the Challenger hit the market in 1963 and quickly gained traction for its affordability and racing pedigree, with early wins in SoCal regattas. Production totaled thousands across the 24-foot family (exact Challenger figures ~100–200), ending in 1968 as Columbia shifted to larger models like the 26T. LWL 18’0". Beam 8’0". Draft 3’4". Disp. 3930 Ballast 1800