Columbia. A Legend. Reborn.
Here is her story
An American Icon
The original Columbia was a masterful Gloucester fishing schooner built in 1923, that inspired Americans in her quest for the prestigious International Fishermen’s Cup. During her epic run as America’s best chance to finally beat the Canadian’s dominating Bluenose, the Columbia and her crew were traically lost to a hurricane in 1927.
Nearly 87 years to the day, the legendary Columbia sails again…
Dream Come True
Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s founder and president, Brian D’Isernia, who loves history, found Columbia’s original blueprints, signed by the architect, while searching cardboard boxes in the Essex Shipbuilding Museum’s archives. He then set off to fullfill a life-long dream of resurrecting the Columbia, by assembling a team of world-class architects, engineers, shipbuilders and crew, to not only exactly replicate the Columbia, but improve upon it.
The new Columbia boasts a modern steel hull, unlike the wooden original, with the same graceful lines, sheer, bowsprit and the heart-shaped transom of her namesake. The detail and craftmanship is simply remarkable, with a blend of mahogany, teak, maple, and charming touches abound.
Modern Classic
Stepping aboard the new Columbia, it’s hard to imagine you are not on a perfectly restored classic. Modern amenities are blended masterfully and hidden behind the natural aestetic of the original. For example, the nine sails are made of a strong synthetic material called Oceanus, treated to look and behave just like Egyptian cotton. A high tech navigation station by the wheel has been hidden away in a foldable locker, so that when at anchor, there are no clues as to her age.
Thoughtful and practical touches like this cover the entire ship, and will continue to impress and spoil you for years to come.
Racing, Fishing and Enjoying
The new Columbia truly is a unique and versatile vessel. A fishing and racing schooner that requires specialised crew to handle her powerful sail plan, and a luxurious family yacht with all the modern amenities you could ask for.
Below you’ll find a beautifully finished interior with a stunning open galley, four private cabins, a crew room with multiple bunks for a full regatta crew or the owners’ large family.
Other amenities include two fish holds, equipped with two first-rate Eskimo ice machines, two Northern Lights 65-kW generators for Auxiliary power and a 20-ton air conditioning system below for comfort.
Sights & Sounds
Columbia Story
Specifications
Vessel Name: COLUMBIA
Type: 141’ Racing/Fishing Schooner Yacht
ESG Hull#: H981–1st Vessel in Series of 2
Designers: John W. Gilbert & Associates of Hingham, MA
William Starling Burgess of Boston, MA
Hull Construction: Steel – ABS A36
Launch Date: August 23, 2014
Delivery Date: October 2014
Vessel Dimensions:
Length on Deck: 141’-2”
Length @ Waterline: 110’-0”
Beam (Molded): 25’-6”
Hull Depth Amidships (Molded): 14’-6”
Design Waterline (DWL): 15’-9”
Regulatory: USA Flag, Lloyds Registry
Main Mast: One (1) 19” x 124’-10”,Covey Island Boatworks, Douglas Fir Laminated Lower. Sitka Spruce Laminated Top Mast
Foremast: One (1) 19” x 115’-7”, Covey Island Boatworks, Douglas Fir Laminated Lower. Sitka Spruce Laminated Top Mast
Sails: Michelle Stevens Sailloft LTD. Oceanus Sail Cloth
Diesel Propulsion: One (1) Caterpillar C-18 587 HP @ 1,800 RPM
Propulsion System: One (1) Hundested CPG32
CP, 3.07:1 Reduction
Bow Thruster: One (1) Key Power KP-16, 70HP 1,500 RPM Electro- Hydraulic PTO Driven off Main Engine
Generators Engines: Two (2) TAW Power Systems – JOHN DEERE, 65kW, 200AMP @ 1,800 RPM Gensets
Fish Hold Refrigeration: Two (2) Eskimo Ice Makers E1510d-230-WP
Freshwater Makers: Two (2) Cathelco Seafresh H208 Water Makers, 37 USG P/HR., w/ RMF-2 Re-mineralizers
Vessel Speed:
Under Sail: Up to 17 knots
Under Power: 13 knots (max.)
Under Power Cruising Speed: 10+ knots
Under Power/Sail Range: 4,000nm
Accommodations: (4) Guest Cabin’s, (12) Berths, Ensuite Facilities (1) Captain’s Cabin, (3) Berths, Ensuite Facilities (1) Crew Cabin Forward, (12) Berths, (1) head
TANK CAPACITIES @ 100%:
Displacement: 260 LT
Deadweight Tonnage: 32.5 LT
US Gross Tonnage: 43 Tons
Total Fuel Oil: 6,252 USG, (4 tanks)
Potable Water: 2,050 USG (2 tanks)
Gray Water: #1/#2 188/200 USG
Black Water: 188 USG
Dirty Oil: 651 USG
Main Deck Area: 1,700 ft²
Fish Holds: Two (2) @ 225 ft³, 0
I chose the Columbia because she was the most beautiful and considered to be the fastest of the Americans.
She was one of five famous American schooners that fished and raced against the Canadians, and the only one to produce serious competition to the famous Bluenose.
What particularly strikes you as you step on board Columbia is the atmosphere. This is clearly a much-loved yacht, and the pride that has gone into her build is obvious. She is as close a replica as physically possible of the original Columbia. To someone stepping aboard for the first time, it takes a few minutes to take all this in, and this is no accident.