Columbia was an American wooden centerboard schooner built in 1871 which ended her racing career in 1908 (Wikipedia entry). Defending the America's Cup in 1871, Columbia won the first two races against Livonia but was beaten in the third. Having sustained damage, the yacht Sappho was substituted, and defeated Livonia in the final two races.

The Livonia was the British Americas Cup challenger built for James Lloyd Ashbury (Wikipedia entry). The Ashbury Railway Carriage and Iron Company Ltd had apparently sold much track to the Russian province of Livonia, hence the yachts name. Built in Cowes, Livonia was sailed across the Atlantic to compete in the Americas Cup races. Livonia was styled on the lines of Sappho which, together with Columbia, were inspired by the original "America". Hence Livonia and Columbia were quite similar in looks.

The models of Columbia and Livonia are contemporary to the original yachts being about 130 years old and built as a pond yacht by David Edwards's great-grandfather.