LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

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LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

Recently WW was contacted by Richard Erdman who had just finished re-reading 2 books penned by Ralph S Von Kohorn that document Ralph’s circumnavigation of the South and North Islands of New Zealand in the early 1970’s aboard his motor vessel COLUMBA.
Richard commented that COLUMBA was designed in 1967, 45′ loa, and powered by a single Detroit GM 283, 8 cylinder engine, that gave her a top speed of 15 knots but she cruised at 9 knots. No mention was made of the vessels designer or builder.

The books were published : South Island cruise – Jan 1977 and North Island cruise – Jan 1979 

In 1977 Ralph was commodore of the Mana cruising club in Wellington. 

The artist painting of COLUMBA on the North Island book has been very generous in their rendering i.e. she looks better than in real life (South Island cover) 🙂

So woodys todays question is what became of COLUMBA and can we earn more of her back story.

INPUT EX ALAN SEXTON – A very detailed description of Columbia is provided in Appendix II in “Columbia Cruises North”. Quick summary, designed by Jim Cole (California), built by Lidgards, 2 skin kauri , powered by Detroit 8V53, launched 1967. Baron Ralph Steven von Kohorn died in early 2011 aged 91, his wife Jill died some months later aged 67.

INPUT EX JEFF GIDDEN – Used to be moored under the bridges at Paremata many years ago.

INPUT EX BOB SPEARMAN – Columbia is in Havelock, Pelorus Sounds

26-06-2025 INPUT EX SANDRA GIBSON – The Columbia has been restored by Stanford boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. She is now powered by a V8 cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable

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14 thoughts on “LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA”

  1. I lived in Havelock south island My first Girlfriend Nelleke her dad Geoff Hayter was the Harbour Master and I helped her clean the Colombia now and then as she would do it every week. She was very dated back in 1995 when she cleaned her. Then she suddenly left.

    was a truly spacious vessel for her lenth.

    Richard Wayne Gatchell.

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  5. The Columbia has been restored by Stanford boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. She is now powered by a V8 cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable

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  7. Thanks Alan,
    Tom the previous owner told me there was no pumps on the Island, not even at the new wharf.
    Perhaps he is wrong about that.
    I will make some enquiries when I am there next.
    Thanks again,
    Pete

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  9. Good Morning Alan,
    My name is Peter Lourie and have just bought Raira and it is moored at Putiki Bay, Waiheke.
    I was wondering if you had a list or some info on where in the gulf we can dock and buy diesel from the pump.
    Bit of a hassle with 20 litre Jerry cans.
    Thanks Alan.
    Pete

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  13. A very detailed description of Columbia is provided in Appendix II in “Columbia Cruises North”

    Quick summary, designed by Jim Cole (California), built by Lidgards, 2 skin kauri , powered by Detroit 8V53, launched 1967.

    Baron Ralph Steven von Kohorn died in early 2011 aged 91, his wife Jill died some months later aged 67.

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  14. I have researched the “Detroit GM 283, 8 cylinder engine” as quoted in the above text & the following is what I found.

    I quote;

    The “283 8cyl” in your query likely refers to the Chevrolet 283 cubic inch V8 engine, which was a gasoline engine, not a diesel. Detroit Diesel is known for its two-stroke diesel engines, particularly the Series 71 and 92, and also produces modern four-stroke engines like the DD13. There is no known Detroit Diesel engine with the designation “283 8cyl”. 

    unquote — KEN- R

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