1975 Columbia 34 Mk II vs 1974 Morgan 33 — Comparison
1975 Columbia 34 Mk II
1974 Morgan 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II | 1974 Morgan 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Morgan |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 1974–1980 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II and 1974 Morgan 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the 1974 Morgan 33 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The 1974 Morgan 33 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1974 Morgan 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II is 0.30m longer than the 1974 Morgan 33.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.71 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The 1974 Morgan 33, with an SA/D of 14.19 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1974 Morgan 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II and 39.1% for the 1974 Morgan 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1974 Morgan 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II 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 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II 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.