74 Morgan Outisland 33 information

[bjslife]

Hello, Im looking at a 1974 Morgan outisland 33 to buy in the next few days and am looking for all information i can get on her. I have found out by reading the basic measurements and that she is considered to be forgiving, smooth like a cadilac, lots of room inside, and slow (If i wanted to go fast i would get a sports car). I have searched on here for info but nothing for the 33 O/I. It is tiller steering, whats the thoughts on that for being 7 tons. Also is this boat safe for deep water offshore besides coastal cruising? I have owned smaller sailboats and sailed larger 37-39 sailboats but this will be my first owned and hoping to be liveaboard over 30+ foot Any and all input would be appreciated. thanks and fair winds

[JimsCAL]

There is one in our club. I think you described it pretty well. Lots of room but slow, at least in light air. Does OK when the wind pipes up. Always looked "short rigged" to me. I wouldn't consider it a good choice for going offshore.

[CaptainForce]

We lived aboard and cruised our 1973 Morgan Out Island from 1973 to 1985 in the Southeast US and Bahamas. Sure, there's a compromise to offshore comfort with the 3'11" draft, but it's a strongly built hull and very capable. Don't be overly concerned with a few soft spots in the balsa cored deck. I've repaired those and it's a cosmetric and not a structural problem. Inspect the following potential problems among the 70's Morgan OI's: Look for any sign of delamination between the port and starboard halves of the rudder. Maybe you'll see a hairline vertical crack. The best repair will include a fiberglass tabbing around this originally glued seam. Inspect the base of the mast where the aluminum is stepped on a steel plate. This has been a common site for severe corrosion. Some have found a need to refit the step and the base of the mast. Look at the back up aluminum plate under the forestay at the stem. This may need a refit or reinforcement. The hull-deck joint is under the rubrail and subject to damage and leaking. Make sure this hull-deck joint is sound. We enjoyed our 13 years aboard our 33' OI as we have our 26 years aboard our 1973 41' OI. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[bjslife]

Well I bought the boat yee haw. Actually i trade a piece of land worth 8k for the boat straight across. One question i have is how do you tell the hull # with the vin? Mine is MYR00021M73D so im thinking its 21. Whats all the othe letters and # mean? thank and fair winds

[bjslife]

Never mind i found a site that helped with the codes @ The Morgan 41 Page

[CaptainForce]

You will also likely see that hull number stamped on the end of your boom.

[bjslife]

Ok ill look for it there, im going up and staying on her next weekend but ive already fallin in love with her. Theres alot of room inside and head room. I cant wait to take her out sailing.

[CaptainForce]

What's your cruising area? We just came into Charleston today and we'll be northbound again sunday.

[bjslife]

Well my plan is to head south but im waiting to find out in 2 weeks if ill get a job in Crescent City rebuilding the docks after the tsunami hit and took out all the docks and sank over 30 boats. Ill be up there on monday to stay for a couple days tinkering and fixin a few things. She's in c22 slip if ya want to take a look. Hows the weather up there, and you must have bypast Crescent City? Were are you headed north?

[CaptainForce]

Crescent City & tsunami?....'sounds like California. "The Crescent City"= New Orleans. The only Crescent City I've cruised near is in Florida, but I can't get under the fixed bridge to get there. We're northbound from Florida and now in Charleston, headed for Baltimore. I suspect you're on the West Coast so we probably haven't passed by your Crescent City. Take care and joy, Aythya crew