Morgan 33 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Morgan 33 emerged during a pivotal time for Morgan Yachts, a company founded by the visionary designer and racer, Charles "Charley" E. Morgan Jr. Between 1968 and 1972, Morgan Yachts was a formidable force in the burgeoning fiberglass sailboat industry, with Charles Morgan himself recognized as one of the "founding fathers of fiberglass." 17, 24, Builder Article The company's manufacturing ethos during this period emphasized modern production techniques for fiberglass vessels.

Designed by Charles Morgan, the Morgan 33 benefited from his deep experience as a naval architect and racer, aligning with his preference for designs that offered both performance and cruising amenities. This model was specifically conceptualized as a "CCA influenced racer/cruiser," differentiating it from the later "Morgan Out Island 33," which was designed as a full-accommodation cruising boat with a focus on interior volume over outright speed. The Morgan 33 was built with a fin keel and spade rudder, a configuration typical of performance-oriented designs of the late 1960s, while the later Out Island 33 adopted a long keel.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Morgan 33 boasts a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 16.22, suggesting it offers decent all-around performance, capable of moving well in a variety of conditions without being an extreme light-air specialist. With a ballast to displacement ratio (B/D) of around 0.45, the Morgan 33 is relatively stiff and stable, indicating a good ability to stand up to a breeze and provide a comfortable motion. Her displacement to length ratio (D/L) of approximately 344 places her in the moderate to heavier displacement category for a boat of her length, contributing to a solid feel in a seaway.

Owners have noted that the Morgan 33 provides a "nice ride," characterized by a "nice motion without any slamming into waves." While generally described as having "good sailing performance," some owners observe that she "sails well but not to wind," and can "heel quite a bit even when it's not blowing that much going to windward." Despite this, the boat is generally regarded as handling 4 to 6-foot seas quite well.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Morgan 33, while considered "decent" for its time and purpose as a racer-cruiser, focused on practical comfort. With a length overall of just over 33 feet and a waterline length of 24.26 feet, she offers an interior arrangement that typically includes a V-berth forward, a head, a salon area, and a galley, consistent with many sailboats of its size and vintage. The builder, Morgan Yachts, aimed to blend performance with cruising comfort in their early designs, suggesting a functional layout with sufficient amenities for coastal cruising and weekend trips. Specific detailed layouts are less documented for this particular model compared to the later, more heavily marketed Out Island series. Water capacity for the Morgan 33 is 34 gallons.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Morgan 33 often praise its solid construction and generally good sailing characteristics for a boat of its age and design. The boat's ability to handle moderate sea states with a comfortable motion is frequently appreciated. Like many vintage fiberglass boats, the Morgan 33 can present the "usual old boat issues" common to vessels that are several decades old. These typically involve routine maintenance and upgrades to systems and components that have aged. It is important for prospective owners to distinguish this fin-keeled racer-cruiser from the later, long-keeled Morgan Out Island 33, as their design philosophies and performance characteristics differ significantly.