Design and Construction
The hull is a robust fiberglass keel/centerboard form, carrying 12,000 pounds of ballast within a 46,000-pound displacement and a 15.83-foot beam across a 51.5-foot LOA and 43-foot waterline. A variable draft of 5.16 to 10.33 feet lets the centerboard be raised for shoal exploration or lowered for offshore stability. Despite a "tubby" aesthetic that many mistook for a glorified houseboat with masts, the platform is a genuine bluewater hull rather than a dockside condo. The comfort ratio of 39 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 258 place her firmly in the heavy, stable cruiser class rather than the lithe racer lineage.
Rig and Handling
Her divided rig carries 1,122 square feet of sail area across a ketch-rigged cutter configuration, with main, genoa, staysail, and mizzen working together. The standing rigging is unusually elaborate: a total of 18 stays and shrouds secure the mast, with wire diameters of 7/16-inch for the forestay and main uppers, 3/8-inch for the lowers and split backstays, and 5/16-inch for the mizzen shrouds. Hydraulic steering demands a hydraulic drive unit rather than a simple cable linkage. An SA/D ratio of 14 and a D/L of 258 yield decent reaching speeds up to 8–9 knots, enough to make passages without fuss.
Accommodations
Below, a voluminous teak interior sleeps up to 8 across an aft master suite, forward guest cabin, and convertible saloon, with dual heads serving the layout. The expansive U-galley supports long-term liveaboard and charter use, while generous tanks — 300 gallons of diesel and 265 of water — extend range well beyond coastal hopping. A reliable 85 hp Perkins diesel moves the hull efficiently when the wind fails. The three-cabin arrangement and solid tankage explain why the design succeeded as both a family cruiser and a charter vessel.
Known Issues
The Morgan Out Island 51 carries a reputation it does not deserve; many sailors dismissed her as a tub and a dockside condo at best, overlooking the capable hull beneath. The elaborate 18-stay rig and hydraulic steering are complexity rather than fault, but they define the maintenance profile an owner inherits.
The Verdict
The Out Island 51 is a roomy, heavily built centerboard ketch that rewards buyers who prioritize volume, tankage, and bluewater intent over sleek lines. She is a bigger version of the original and much maligned Morgan Out Island 41, yet refined into a proper cruiser. Survivors are few and valued.
Pros
- Substantial 46,000-pound fiberglass centerboard hull with 12,000 pounds ballast
- Three-cabin teak interior with up to 8 berths and dual heads
- 300-gallon fuel and 265-gallon water capacity for extended cruising
- Divided ketch-cutter rig with 1,122 sq ft of sail and hydraulic steering
Cons
- "Tubby" profile and undeserved houseboat reputation limit appeal
- Complex 18-stay rigging and hydraulic system raise upkeep demands
- Limited production means few examples reach the market
