1981 Pearson 424 vs 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 424
1972 Morgan Out Island 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 424 | 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Morgan |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 1972–1980 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 50 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 424 and 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 424 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The 1981 Pearson 424 was penned by William Shaw. The 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 424 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.81m, compared to the 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 at 12.50m (41.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1981 Pearson 424 is 0.30m longer than the 1972 Morgan Out Island 41.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 424 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.28 and 72.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Morgan Out Island 41, with an SA/D of 15.37 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1981 Pearson 424 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 424 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1981 Pearson 424 and 38.1% for the 1972 Morgan Out Island 41, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 424 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Morgan Out Island 41 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 1981 Pearson 424 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.