1974 Morgan 33 vs 1979 Morgan 45 — Comparison
1974 Morgan 33
1979 Morgan 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Morgan 33 | 1979 Morgan 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Morgan | Morgan |
| Year | 1974–1980 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Charlie Morgan | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 65 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Morgan 33 and 1979 Morgan 45 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1974 Morgan 33 is a 1970s design by Morgan from USA, while the 1979 Morgan 45 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The 1974 Morgan 33 was penned by Charlie Morgan. The 1979 Morgan 45 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the 1974 Morgan 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1979 Morgan 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.11m beam. The 1979 Morgan 45 is 3.66m longer than the 1974 Morgan 33. The 1979 Morgan 45 displaces approximately 152% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Morgan 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.19 and 42.0 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 1979 Morgan 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 Morgan 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1979 Morgan 45 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 39.1% for the 1974 Morgan 33 and 37.9% for the 1979 Morgan 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Morgan 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1979 Morgan 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 530L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Morgan 45 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 1979 Morgan 45 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.