1972 Morgan 34 vs 2000 Najad 355 — Comparison
1972 Morgan 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Morgan 34 | 2000 Najad 355 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Morgan | Najad |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 2000–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Charley Morgan | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.72 m (35.2 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Morgan 34 and 2000 Najad 355 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Morgan 34 is a 1970s design by Morgan from USA, while the 2000 Najad 355 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1972 Morgan 34 was penned by Charley Morgan. The 2000 Najad 355 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1972 Morgan 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 2000 Najad 355 at 10.72m (35.2ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 2000 Najad 355 is 0.36m longer than the 1972 Morgan 34. The 2000 Najad 355 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Morgan 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.63 and 50.2 m² of sail area. The 2000 Najad 355, with an SA/D of 15.69 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2000 Najad 355 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Morgan 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2000 Najad 355 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1972 Morgan 34 and 40.0% for the 2000 Najad 355, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Morgan 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2000 Najad 355 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Morgan 34 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 2000 Najad 355 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1972 Morgan 34 · 2000 Najad 355