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offshore

Cole 43

East Coast Yachts · 1970 · Sloop rig

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Cole 43 profile drawing
LOA43.54'
Beam10.93'
Draft6.5'
Displ.10.5t
Rigsloop
HullFiberglass

Bluewater Evidence · Ocean Proven

95% confidence
Doc.CapableProven

6 named boats of this design have finished the 628-mile Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the official results: Polaris (23 races, 1971 to 2010), Taurus (9 races, 1970 to 1983), Bacardi (7 races, 1970 to 1980), Ruffian (1973, 1974 and 1976), Rager I (1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983), Wainunu IV (1976 and 1977). Its capsize screen value is 1.59.

Overview

The Cole 43 is a Peter Cole ocean racer-cruiser built by East Coast Yachts in Australia, built from 1970.

Design and Construction

sailboatdata.com lists a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, 43.54 ft overall on a 32.22 ft waterline, 10.93 ft of beam and 6.5 ft of draft. Displacement is 20,986 lb, and the masthead sloop carries about 765 sq ft.

Ocean Racing Record

Polaris (Chris Dawe) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 23 times between 1971 and 2010. Taurus (E.P.Taylor) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 9 times between 1970 and 1983. Bacardi (B.Button) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 7 times between 1970 and 1980. Ruffian (J.Kinsella) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1973, 1974 and 1976. Rager I (M.A.Clements) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983. Wainunu IV (J.Garner & D.Strong) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1976 and 1977.

Buyers Notes

Any Cole 43 is now around 50 years old; survey the hull, keel attachment and rig as for any boat of that age.

Passage records

Polaris· Chris Dawe2010

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 23 races, 1971 to 2010

Finished 23 times (line honours places 16, 11, 20, 15, 26, 32, 32, 56, 47, 96, 51, 162, 47, 40, 60, 30, 38, 52, 78, 62, 91, 93, 68).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2010 results

Taurus· E.P.Taylor1983

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 9 races, 1970 to 1983

Finished 9 times (line honours places 5, 9, 13, 13, 12, 62, 19, 98, 84).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1983 results

Bacardi· B.Button1980

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 7 races, 1970 to 1980

Finished 7 times (line honours places 8, 14, 19, 41, 31, 54, 40).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1980 results

Ruffian· J.Kinsella1976

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1973, 1974, 1976

Finished 3 times (line honours places 35, 25, 16).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1976 results

Rager I· M.A.Clements1983

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

Finished 4 times (line honours places 59, 83, 56, 92).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1983 results

Wainunu IV· J.Garner & D.Strong1977

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1976, 1977

Finished 2 times (line honours places 18, 34).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1977 results

What sailing channels say about the Cole 43, quoted from video transcripts with a link to the exact moment. Opinions belong to the speakers; the written review above stays independent of them.

recommends

The broker, Ian Greentree, says Cole 43s were regular starters in offshore races such as Sydney to Hobart in the 1970s and 80s and competed extremely well on handicap. He says cruisers now buy them for their impeccable manners in a seaway and long-distance comfort, and that a number have done world circumnavigations. This boat is a 1985 build by East Coast Yachts.

recommends

The selling owner, Tony, calls the boat a battleship and a go-anywhere boat and says it is the best boat he has owned. He says this boat has sailed around the world twice and been to Antarctica.

  1. [1]SpecificationsCOLE 43 - SailboatData.com- Dimensions, displacement, ballast, sail area, keel, rig, designer and builder.
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