Morgan 33 T Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Morgan 33 T began production in 1974, coinciding with a period where Morgan Yachts, under the initial leadership of Charles Morgan, was known for blending performance with cruising comfort. Charles Morgan, considered one of the "founding fathers of fiberglass" in the marine industry, established his company formally around 1965, quickly gaining a reputation for prolific production. His earlier designs, such as the Morgan 34, were influenced by the CCA rule, balancing racing prowess with cruising functionality. The 33 T, however, marked a clear shift towards the IOR rule, which dominated yacht racing design in the 1970s.

The design philosophy behind the 33 T was rooted in creating a competitive racing yacht within the IOR 3/4 ton class, while still offering practical accommodations for cruising. A distinguishing feature of the Morgan 33 T was its early adoption of the Bergstrom & Ridder rig as standard equipment, a notable design choice for its era. The builder's ethos during this period emphasized robust fiberglass construction, a hallmark of Morgan Yachts, transitioning from custom wooden boats to mass-produced fiberglass vessels built for durability.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Morgan 33 T boasts specifications indicative of a lively performer for its time. With a length overall of 32.75 feet and a waterline length of 25.13 feet, she combines a relatively compact size with design features aimed at speed. Her fin keel, drawing 5.5 feet, and spade rudder contribute to excellent maneuverability and responsiveness, typical of IOR designs.

Analyzing her performance ratios provides further insight:

• Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) Ratio: At approximately 17.52, this ratio suggests the Morgan 33 T is a moderately powered vessel. Boats with SA/D ratios around this range generally perform well across a variety of wind conditions, offering a good balance between light-air capability and manageable sail area in stronger breezes.
• Ballast to Displacement (B/D) Ratio: With a ballast of 3650 lbs against a displacement of 9800 lbs, the Morgan 33 T has a B/D ratio of about 37.2%. While not exceptionally high, this ratio, coupled with a lead fin keel, indicates a reasonable degree of stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up to its sail area effectively in stronger winds without excessive heel.
• Displacement to Length (D/L) Ratio: Calculating to approximately 275.5, the D/L ratio places the Morgan 33 T in the moderate displacement category. This suggests a boat that is neither extremely light and twitchy nor exceptionally heavy and sluggish, offering a balanced motion through the water and a good compromise between speed and comfort, characteristic of a racer-cruiser from that era.

As an IOR-influenced racer-cruiser, the Morgan 33 T was designed for "good sailing performance". Anecdotal reports from sailing communities suggest that while she was competitive under the IOR rule, her deep fin keel and spade rudder likely contribute to a lively and responsive feel at the helm, making her an engaging boat to sail for those who appreciate performance characteristics.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior details for the Morgan 33 T are less extensively documented compared to some other Morgan models, boats of her design and era typically maximized the available volume below deck for practical cruising. Given her overall length of just under 33 feet and a beam of 10.51 feet, the interior would have offered a functional layout typical of mid-sized fiberglass yachts of the 1970s.

Common arrangements for boats of this size would likely include a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that convert into berths, a galley area, and an enclosed head. Storage would be provided through lockers and shelving. The interior finish for Morgan yachts of this period often featured a blend of fiberglass liners with wood trim, providing a robust yet somewhat traditional aesthetic. While the maximum headroom is not explicitly stated in the provided data, it would generally be designed to offer comfortable standing room in key areas for individuals of average height. Ventilation would typically come from deck hatches and portlights.