A nod to the past

Kris O’Donnell

After a 24-year absence from the sailing world, Columbia Yachts,

under the guidance of Vince Valdes, son of the original founder Dick

Valdes, is being reborn.

Columbia Yachts made its splash in Newport Beach in the 1960s, and

it caused a ripple effect in the boat-building world as the premiere

builder of sailboats in the ‘60s and ‘70s and as an innovator in the

industry.

“It’s going to happen,” Valdes said. “I tracked down the

brand-name license owner and bought back the name --Columbia Yachts

has now come full circle. When I was a kid, my summer jobs were in my

dad’s boat yards.”

With young Valdes at the helm, Columbia’s newest child, the

Columbia 30 Sport Sailer, is nearly out of the mold and set for

assembly.

“Based on the guiding principles conceived by my father, in

creating this boat, Columbia Yachts’ objective is to give a lot of

boat for not a lot of money,” Valdes said.

Valdes hired Gino Morrelli of Morelli & Melvin Design and

Engineering -- the same team that designed the world-record breaking

“PlayStation,” a 125-foot Racing Catamaran and one of the only

super-cats that haven’t broken up -- to design the new 30-footer and

hired a seasoned crew to begin production.

“We are happy to be a part of Columbia’s rebirth,” Morrelli said.

Many people on the new crew look familiar.

“My dad comes in two or three times a week and once said, ‘This is

like old home week,’ referring to the setting and familiar faces,”

Valdes said. “Nearly half my current crew worked for the original

Columbia Yachts.”

Valdes said he’s brining Columbia back because people support the

boats.

“There is so much goodwill out there that covers a wide spectrum:

those who still own a Columbia, those who once owned a Columbia, and

those who have put $5,000 down for this next generation -- sight

unseen.”

A blend of racing boat and cruising boat, the 30-footer can be

pulled with a trailer and has a retractable keel, thereby forgoing

the need to crane it out of the water.

“We plan to introduce the 30 around the first of the year with our

biggest show to be in Chicago in February 2004,” Valdes said.

Valdes projects between 24 to 36 boats per year when they reach

full production.

“What’s in store for Columbia Yachts?” Valdes asked. “I think that

within a couple of years, we’ll be ready for our first 50-[footer].”

In the ‘60s, a Columbia 50 won the Newport to Ensenada, the

world’s largest international yacht race.

Valdes brings a wealth of real and practical experience to the new

Columbia Yachts. In 2001, he sailed aboard the racing yacht Bull in

the Trans Pacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, winning

first in class and first overall.

For more information, e-mail Vince Valdes at

[email protected] or go online to www.columbiayachts.com.