Morgan 26 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Morgan 26 officially began in 1969, marking its entry into the flourishing sailboat market. It was a product of Morgan Yachts, a company founded by Charles Morgan, a visionary regarded as one of the "founding fathers of fiberglass" in the marine industry. Charles Morgan's design ethos, particularly in the company's early years, specialized in CCA-rule (Cruising Club of America) centerboarders, focusing on creating boats that offered a harmonious balance between speed and liveability.

The Morgan 26, much like its closely related sibling the Morgan 24/25, was likely conceived as a versatile racer-cruiser, 5]. This approach meant designing a vessel capable of holding its own on the race course while also providing comfortable accommodations for weekend trips or extended coastal cruising. The choice of solid fiberglass for the hull and deck underscored Morgan Yachts' commitment to durable construction methods prevalent during this period.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 26.0 feet and a waterline length of 23.0 feet, the Morgan 26 possesses a hull form designed for a balance of speed and stability. Its reported sail area of 322.0 square feet suggests a respectable power-to-weight ratio for its class. The boat features a ballast of 2,200 pounds of lead, contributing to its stability.

A notable design element is its centerboard keel, which offers a versatile draft ranging from a minimum of 3.16 feet to a maximum of 7.5 feet when fully deployed. This allows the Morgan 26 to access shallow anchorages while providing enhanced upwind performance with the board down. The spade rudder, common for performance-oriented designs, contributes to responsive steering and maneuverability. The theoretical hull speed for the Morgan 26 is calculated at approximately 6.43 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior details for the Morgan 26 can vary by individual vessel and owner modifications, insights can be drawn from similar Morgan models of its era. Boats of this class, such as the Morgan 24/25, typically offered a practical interior layout designed for weekend cruising and short trips, with a general headroom around 5 feet 8 inches. The interior would generally feature a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that could convert into berths, a small galley area, and a dedicated head compartment. Finishes often included wood trim, such as unvarnished teak or walnut, a common aesthetic in Morgan yachts of the 1960s and 70s. Storage solutions, including a sail locker, would have been integrated to support its cruising intentions.