Antigua 53 Information, Review, Specs

The Antigua 53's production began in 1976 and continued during Antigua Yachts' operational lifespan, which spanned from 1981 to 1984. Its design is directly inherited from the Morgan Out Island 51, sharing the same hull with a new deck design introduced by Antigua Yachts. The original Morgan Out Island series, conceptualized by Charles Morgan (and co-designed by Jack Cory for the 51), was developed with a clear philosophy focused on providing spacious, comfortable, and stable cruising yachts, particularly suited for shallow waters and extended living aboard. Charles Morgan himself was celebrated as a designer of both successful racers and later, production cruising yachts, embodying a philosophical approach to yacht design that prioritized livability and seaworthiness.

During its production run, the Antigua 53, like its Morgan predecessor, was known to offer a number of different interior layouts, and some vessels were even available in varying states of completion, allowing for owner customization. While the Morgan Out Island 51 was available with both a keel/centerboard and a fixed keel option, the Antigua 53 typically featured a fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration designed for practical cruising. Antigua Yachts aimed to differentiate their version by offering a more luxurious interior compared to the original Morgan Out Island 51.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Antigua 53 is characterized by its heavy-displacement hull, a hallmark of its design lineage. With a displacement of 48,000 lbs and a length overall of 51.6 feet, its Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio is approximately 270. This places it firmly in the category of a traditional, moderately heavy cruiser, indicating a boat designed for stability and comfort over outright speed. Its ballast-to-displacement ratio of approximately 0.32 suggests good, though not exceptionally high, initial stiffness, allowing it to stand up to a reasonable amount of wind.

Equipped with a ketch rig and a reported total sail area of 1320 square feet, the Antigua 53 has a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of around 16.0. This ratio suggests that while the boat is not a light-air performer, it is well-suited for moderate to strong winds, providing a powerful and steady motion rather than exhilarating speed. Owners of the closely related Morgan Out Island 51 describe it as a roomy and capable cruiser that performs decently, particularly when reaching. Its heavy build and robust construction contribute to a comfortable motion in a seaway, prioritizing reliable passage-making and liveaboard comfort.

Accommodations and Layout

The Antigua 53 is well-regarded for its exceptionally spacious interior, a direct benefit of its design heritage from the Morgan Out Island series, which emphasized voluminous living spaces and shallow draft, 4]. While specific headroom figures are not consistently available, the boat's design prioritizes comfort and livability for extended periods at sea.

Typical interior arrangements for these models often feature multiple cabin configurations, with a prevalent layout being a three-cabin, two-head arrangement, including a V-berth forward, a main salon, a galley, and aft cabins. The salon usually offers generous seating, while the galley is designed for practical use during extended voyages. Owners often appreciate the ample storage throughout the vessel, a crucial aspect for long-distance cruising. Compared to its Morgan predecessor, the Antigua 53 aimed for a more luxurious interior finish, potentially incorporating darker wood trims as opposed to the lighter oak often seen in earlier models.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Antigua 53 and its progenitor, the Morgan Out Island 51, consistently praise their solid construction and comfortable motion in a seaway, making them popular choices for those seeking robust liveaboard or long-distance cruising platforms, 4]. The spaciousness of the interior is a frequently highlighted strength, offering significant living space for its size. Many appreciate the boat's ability to carry substantial loads without significantly impacting performance, a key attribute for cruisers.

However, like many fiberglass yachts of their era, a common concern noted by owners of the Morgan Out Island series can be the potential for hull osmosis, a widespread issue in older fiberglass boats that requires careful inspection and maintenance. Despite this, the enduring appeal of these vessels lies in their fundamental design for comfort, stability, and ruggedness, leading to strong owner communities that value their classic cruising capabilities.