Available as a sloop or cutter w/bowsprit, and in various stages of contruction.
Out of production for number of years. An updated version was re-introduced in the mid-1970’s from Classic Yachts of Canada.
Rolly Tasker – Germany
Hull: Fin Keel
Fin Keel
Pilot House with twin station steering.
First advertised (1963) as the COLUMBIA CLASS.
The COLUMBIA 5.5 has it’s origins with ‘Carina’, a 5.5 METER designed and built by Sigurd Herburn of Norway, winner of the 1958 Scandinavian Gold Cup.
It is said that Columbia used this boat as a plug, (with a few modifications) to build it’s own fiberglass version. Though a development class, no fiberglass 5.5 meters had been built at this time. The International 5.5 meter governing body decided that it did not conform to the class rules. The COLUMBIA 5.5 was raced as a one design class on the west coast US for a few years.
Later it was modified and received a new model designation COLUMBIA SABRE, a cruising version with a trunk cabin, bunks for four and other amenities. Between 300 and 400 SABRES were built between 1963 and 1969. A similar version was also built by Ericson Yachts as the SCORPION 32 (almost certainly from the same molds).
It is thought that this is the same hull as the SHE 27 and sold in the US by Palmer Johnson.
Based on an earlier Maurice Griffiths design.
Evolved from a number of designs in this size range sailed at Boothbay Harbo ME during the 1930’s.
Racing took place under a loose set of rules called the Boothbay Harbor Twenty-Foot Class.
THE BOOTHBAY HARBOR ONE DESIGN came about at the request of these interested in competing under a true one design rule to improve the fairness of racing and reduce costs.
Gaard Handel, originally from Germany, but a Maine resident, was a highly thought of designer who had worked on a number of Americas Cup defenders and had previously drawn a number of successful 20 footers of this type.
A number of other designs or classes exist including: BOOTHBAY 20, CHRISTMAS COVE ONE DESIGN, GREAT LAKES 21, HODGDON 21, fall into a related but complex evolutionary path.
Builder of new boats as of (2005):
Chip Flanagan of Portland Maine
tel. (207) 799-3400
chipboat@nlis.net
www.chipboat.com
Bruntons
