Jeff, I can understand where you are probably coming from and your reaction to certain types of statements, eg: weight equals stablity....but as you yourself said if its in the keel its good, and in the case of the OI-33, and mine is hull number 162 built in ''75, most of her weight is in her full keel. And her spar is no more "telephone pole" like than any of the more "expensive" boats around us here. Maybe the instances of problems were caused by inexperienced or foolish skippers. And were that the case....if wouldn''t matter what make of boat it was, the same thing would happen. Just because a boat is newer and has a biger pricetag doesn''''t necessarily make it better.
I have sailed her and motored in good and bad weather and have always been pleased with her handling. I have been on other boats that rocked and rolled and pitched....more expensive boats "supposedly" better built. The biggest difference I could detect was that the builder skimped on ballast weight, put the boat together with thinner FRP and tried to overcompensate for these shortcomings by putting in what I call a "Sea Ray" interior, you know....all glitzy and shiny..with fluffy cushions, etc.
One of my neighbors in another marina had a "
Catalina" a 34, I think, and whenever she got on the boat it would roll quite a bit ...suprisingly so because I doubt she weighed more than 120 lbs.
I have no intention of turning this into a spitting contest, but I daresay that you sound as though you are more attuned to lightweight racing boats and such. And I did find your analogy of the "plywood" boat a cute attempt at "association" with Morgans. However, I might suggest that you not attempt to be an amatuer psychologist since the average duck is brighter than that, and your limited number of poor experiences with Morgans is more than "outshadowed" by the myriad of pleasant and successful experiences of the many many current and past Morgan owners.
So I can only tell any prospective buyer of a Morgan Out Islander: If you are looking for the "perfect fast sailing racing boat", keep looking. Out Islanders were not built to be fast. They are a slower boat, but they are a steady boat. They are heavy and pretty stoutly built. No, they do not have the latest and most expensive technology hung on them. Most of them are 20 to 30 years old, and that in and of itself says alot about the boats. I would also like to point out that back in 1973 when I was going to buy a Morgan 41 OI fully outfitted....the price was $44,000.00. That same boat now carries a price tag of $59,000.00. Not many boats came make the claim that they are worth more 30 year later than the day they came out of the mold.
Just my opinion, mind you.