Design and Construction
Morgan Yachts built the Moorings 60 as a substantial monohull with a solid fiberglass hull and deck. This construction avoids the core-saturation concerns associated with balsa- or foam-cored boats. The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder are a straightforward cruising arrangement.
At just under 60 feet overall, with a 50-foot waterline and a 15.83-foot beam, the Moorings 60 displaces 60,000 pounds and carries 19,000 pounds of lead ballast. Standard data lists a draft of 6.67 feet, within an observed range of 6.66 to 6.96 feet depending on load.
A ballast ratio of 32 percent and a displacement-length ratio of 214 place the boat firmly at the heavy, load-carrying end of the cruising spectrum. Its capsize screening value of 1.62 and comfort ratio of 44.24 describe a hull tuned for steady offshore motion rather than sparkling acceleration.
Rig and Handling
The Moorings 60 carries a ketch rig with 1,400 square feet of sail area. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 14.62, a moderate figure suited to a heavy hull with generous ballast. The theoretical hull speed is 9.5 knots.
A wetted surface of 839 square feet and an immersion rate of 2,755 pounds per inch indicate that the boat sits deep and moves ponderously when loaded. Its length-to-beam ratio of 3.79 confirms the broad, stable platform.
The running-rigging dimensions are substantial. The jib and genoa sheets are 59.9 feet long and 5/8 inch in diameter. The mainsheet is 149.8 feet long, while the spinnaker sheet is 131.8 feet; all use the same 16 mm diameter. Those lengths and diameters are worth keeping in mind when replacing running rigging on a worn example.
Verdict
The Moorings 60 is a heavy, stable offshore ketch from the early 1980s, built by Morgan Yachts with conservative solid-fiberglass construction and a lead-ballasted fin keel. Its moderate sail plan and high displacement suit loaded passagemaking better than light-air sprinting. The documented dimensions paint a clear picture of a serious cruising hull.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck
- Lead ballast and fin keel
- High stability and comfort ratios for offshore cruising
- Generous beam and displacement for accommodation volume
Cons
- Heavy displacement and a modest sail-area ratio limit light-air performance
