Morgan Out Island 33 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Out Island 33 are best described as sedate and stable, prioritizing comfort over velocity. With a heavy displacement-to-length ratio and a relatively low sail area-to-displacement ratio, the boat requires a stiff breeze to reach its hull speed. Its shallow draft, usually featuring a full keel with an encapsulated lead ballast, makes it an exceptional choice for thin-water cruising in areas like the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, but this comes at the cost of windward performance.

On the water, the OI 33 exhibits significant leeway when beating into the wind, a trait common across the Out Island series. However, the boat shines on a broad reach, where its substantial mass provides a "big boat" feel that absorbs chop and minimizes pitching. Steering is typically heavy due to the large, barn-door rudder attached to the trailing edge of the keel. Owners frequently note that the boat is a "motor-sailer" in spirit; it is often most efficient to keep the diesel engine at low RPMs to assist with pointing and maintain momentum through a head sea.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Out Island 33 is where the model truly excelled and disrupted the market. By utilizing a center-cockpit design, Morgan was able to provide two distinct living areas. The main salon is remarkably wide, featuring a U-shaped dinette and a functional galley that benefits from the hull’s massive 11-foot beam. Unlike modern yachts of this size, the OI 33 feels cavernous, offering ample headroom for sailors up to 6'3".

The most notable variation in the Out Island 33 is the aft cabin arrangement. Because of the boat's mid-sized footprint, there is no internal "walk-through" from the main salon to the aft cabin. Instead, the aft cabin is accessed via its own dedicated companionway at the rear of the cockpit. While this offers unparalleled privacy for a 33-foot boat—making it popular for families or two couples—it does require the crew to go topside to move between cabins. Morgan also produced a rare "Aft Cockpit" version of the 33, though these are far less common than the iconic center-cockpit model. Materials are typical of 1970s American production: heavy use of teak veneers, Formica surfaces, and thick fiberglass liners.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should approach an Out Island 33 with a focus on structural longevity, as many of these vessels were used heavily in charter fleets or have spent decades in tropical environments.

• Deck Core Delamination: Like many boats of this vintage, the OI 33 utilizes a balsa-cored deck. Moisture ingress around the stanchion bases, handrails, and the large center-cockpit coaming often leads to soft spots. A thorough percussion test of the decks is essential.
• Chainplate Inspection: The chainplates are bolted through the hull/deck joint and are known to leak if not re-bedded regularly. Look for "bleeding" or rust streaks on the interior bulkheads where the chainplates are mounted, as this can lead to rot in the structural wood.
• Rudder and Steering Linkage: Given the age and the heavy loads placed on the steering system, the cables and quadrants should be inspected for "meat hooks" (fraying) or corrosion. The rudder itself is a large fiberglass foil that can trap water and suffer from osmotic blistering or internal delamination.
• Fuel Tank Integrity: The original aluminum or black iron fuel tanks are often located under the cockpit sole. Given the boat's age, these tanks are frequently at the end of their service life and can be difficult to remove without cutting fiberglass.

Community & Resources

The Out Island 33 benefits from a robust legacy community. The Morgan Yacht Owners Association remains a primary hub for technical data and historical documentation. Owners often share "hacks" for improving the boat's windward performance, such as upgrading to a more modern folding propeller or adding a bowsprit to move the center of effort forward.

The Verdict

The Morgan Out Island 33 is not a boat for the performance-oriented sailor or the club racer; it is a rugged, voluminous "floating cottage" designed for those who value sunset cocktails and shallow-water exploration over tacking duels.

Pros:

• Exceptional Volume: More interior living space than almost any other 33-footer from the 1970s.
• Privacy: The split-cabin layout provides two distinct "staterooms."
• Shallow Draft: Ideally suited for gunkholing and coastal cruising in shallow regions.
• Sturdy Construction: Heavy fiberglass scantlings and an encapsulated keel offer peace of mind.

Cons:

• Poor Windward Performance: High windage and a shallow keel make it difficult to point high.
• No Internal Walk-through: Moving between cabins requires exiting into the cockpit.
• Sluggish in Light Air: The heavy displacement requires significant breeze or engine assistance.