1972 Morgan 30 vs 1979 Morgan 45 — Comparison
1972 Morgan 30
1979 Morgan 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Morgan 30 | 1979 Morgan 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Morgan | Morgan |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Charley Morgan | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 37.2 m² (400 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 65 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Morgan 30 and 1979 Morgan 45 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1972 Morgan 30 is a 1970s design by Morgan from USA, while the 1979 Morgan 45 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The 1972 Morgan 30 was penned by Charley Morgan. The 1979 Morgan 45 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the 1972 Morgan 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1979 Morgan 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.11m beam. The 1979 Morgan 45 is 4.58m longer than the 1972 Morgan 30. The 1979 Morgan 45 displaces approximately 241% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Morgan 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.37 and 37.2 m² of sail area. The 1979 Morgan 45, with an SA/D of 14.58 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1972 Morgan 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Morgan 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1979 Morgan 45 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 38.8% for the 1972 Morgan 30 and 37.9% for the 1979 Morgan 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Morgan 30 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1979 Morgan 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 530L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Morgan 30 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1972 Morgan 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Morgan 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.