Morgan Out Island 36 Information, Review, Specs

The Morgan Out Island 36 emerged during a pivotal period for Morgan Yachts, a company founded by Charles Morgan Jr. in the early 1960s. Morgan, initially known for successful racer-cruisers like the Morgan 34, had begun to shift his focus to designs prioritizing interior volume and comfort, a move exemplified by the immensely popular Out Island series, starting with the Out Island 41 in 1970. The Out Island 36, introduced in 1973, followed this successful formula.

Charles Morgan's design philosophy for the Out Island series, including the 36, was to create simple, strong, and manageable yachts that could appeal to a wide range of cruising dreams. The boats were built with overly strong fiberglass, a hallmark of Morgan's construction ethos during this era, emphasizing durability and reliability over lightweight performance. While primarily offered as a masthead sloop, a ketch model of the Out Island 36 was also available, though it was less popular.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall (LOA) of 35.82 feet and a waterline length (LWL) of 28.0 feet, the Morgan Out Island 36 is characterized by its substantial displacement of 16,000 pounds and a full long keel. These attributes contribute to a stable and comfortable motion in a seaway, though they temper her outright speed.

The calculated Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 14.59 suggests that the Out Island 36 is a heavy cruiser, not optimized for light air performance. This ratio indicates that she will be steady and powerful in moderate to strong winds, but may require more breeze to get moving efficiently. Her Ballast to Displacement (B/D) ratio of approximately 0.468, a relatively high figure, further reinforces her reputation for stiffness and stability, allowing her to stand up well to a blow. The Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio, calculated at around 325.26, firmly places her in the heavy displacement category, indicating a solid, robust vessel designed for comfortable passage making rather than spirited racing.

Owners often describe Out Islands, including the 36, as excellent downwind sailors, though they are known to struggle with close-hauled performance. Her long keel provides good directional stability, making her track well and reducing the need for constant helm input, a desirable trait for long passages. The simple hull design and manageable rig were intended to make her accessible for a wide range of sailors, and her robust construction contributes to her ability to handle various sea states with a comfortable motion.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Morgan Out Island 36 is renowned for its spaciousness and volume, a defining characteristic of the Out Island series. This emphasis on interior living space made her a popular choice for extended cruising and liveaboards. While the exact maximum headroom is not specified, the Out Island designs generally provided ample standing room throughout much of the cabin.

Typical layouts often feature a forward V-berth, a main salon with a dinette that converts to a berth, and a linear or U-shaped galley. A notable feature of the Out Island 36 is its center cockpit design, which often allowed for a private aft owner's cabin, providing excellent separation and privacy from the main salon and forward accommodations. The interior offered a few different layouts for the galley and dinette, providing some customization options for original owners. Descriptions of Out Island interiors typically highlight solid fiberglass construction, with wood trim and accents providing a classic nautical feel. Storage is generally abundant, catering to the needs of cruisers, and good ventilation is often a priority in these tropical-minded designs.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Morgan Out Island 36 frequently praise her solid construction, comfortable motion, and exceptional interior volume for a boat of her size. She is widely regarded as a robust and forgiving vessel, making her a popular choice for both freshwater sailing and cruising the Bahamas. The robust fiberglass hull is a consistent strong point, contributing to the boat's longevity and ability to withstand challenging conditions.

However, some common issues are also noted. The "open, airy layout" that contributes to the spacious feel has led some to question her structural integrity in certain areas, particularly concerning bulkheads, though this is not a universally reported problem and is often a concern with any older vessel that may have experienced deferred maintenance. Owners often discuss typical maintenance items for boats of this vintage, such as issues with original plumbing, wiring, and older engine components like the Universal-Atomic 4 gasoline engine that was standard in many models. The Out Island 36's tendency to perform better off the wind than on it is a frequent point of discussion, confirming her design as a comfortable cruiser rather than a performance sailboat. Despite these considerations, the strong community of Morgan owners actively supports each other, sharing knowledge and resources to maintain these classic cruising yachts.