Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch Information, Review, Specs

The Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch began production in 1973, reflecting Morgan Yachts' strategic move into the popular cruising boat market of the era. Designed by Charles Morgan himself, the Out Island series, including the 36, was conceived to provide ample interior volume and a robust platform, a departure from some of Morgan's earlier, more performance-oriented designs. This design philosophy emphasized practical, livable spaces over racing prowess, aiming to cater to cruisers and charter operators. While the exterior remained largely consistent throughout its production run, which some sources indicate concluded around 1976, the model was offered with both ketch and sloop rigs, with the ketch being less prevalent. The interior also saw some variations in the galley and dinette arrangements.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch, with its full keel hull type, is designed for stable and comfortable cruising rather than high-performance sailing. Her displacement-to-length ratio of 325.39 categorizes her as a heavy, traditional cruiser, indicating a forgiving motion in a seaway. The ballast-to-displacement ratio of 46.88% is notably high, suggesting excellent stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up well to strong winds and providing a secure feeling offshore. However, with a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 14.95, the Out Island 36 Ketch is not optimized for light-air performance. Instead, she is likely to perform best in moderate to strong breezes. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Out Island 36 handles well even in challenging conditions, with owners reporting successful navigation through squalls and waterspouts. Her shoal draft, at 3.8 feet, also allows her to access shallower harbors and anchorages, a practical advantage for cruising.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch is designed with spaciousness and livability as primary considerations, a hallmark of the Out Island series. While specific detailed layouts may vary, especially concerning the galley and dinette arrangements, the overall design prioritizes comfort for extended stays aboard. Typically, a vessel of this size and era would feature a conventional cruising layout including a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees that often convert to berths, a galley, and a head compartment. The Out Island series is well-regarded for its generous interior volume, offering ample room for movement and storage, which contributes to its reputation as a comfortable liveaboard or long-distance cruiser. The construction often featured solid fiberglass hulls and decks, with interiors generally finished in a practical, durable manner suitable for the rigors of cruising.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch often praise the vessel for its robust construction, with many noting the difficulty of finding hull problems due to their near-indestructible build quality. The spaciousness of the interior is a consistent highlight, providing a comfortable living environment for its size. While the ketch rig was less popular than the sloop, those who own ketch versions appreciate the versatility it offers in sail handling. However, some owners have noted that the Out Island series, generally, can be susceptible to osmosis over time, a common issue in fiberglass boats of that vintage. General maintenance considerations common to boats of its era, such as potential water intrusion in wood core layers or keel bolt issues, have also been mentioned by owners of similar vintage boats. Despite these potential concerns, the Morgan Out Island 36 Ketch continues to be valued on the used boat market for its affordability, sturdy design, and comfortable cruising capabilities.