1985 Tayana 52 vs 1979 Morgan 45 — Comparison
1985 Tayana 52
1979 Morgan 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Tayana 52 | 1979 Morgan 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tayana | Morgan |
| Year | 1985–1998 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Ketch | Ketch |
| Country | Taiwan | USA |
| Designer | Pieter Beeldsnijder | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.85 m (52.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.42 m (14.5 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 65 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 757 L (200.0 gal) | 530 L (140.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Tayana 52 and 1979 Morgan 45 represent two takes on ketch-rigged sailing. The 1985 Tayana 52 is a 1980s design by Tayana from Taiwan, while the 1979 Morgan 45 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The 1985 Tayana 52 was penned by Pieter Beeldsnijder. The 1979 Morgan 45 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the 1985 Tayana 52 measures 15.85m (52.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.42m, compared to the 1979 Morgan 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.11m beam. The 1985 Tayana 52 is 2.13m longer than the 1979 Morgan 45. The 1985 Tayana 52 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Tayana 52 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.00 and 102.0 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 1985 Tayana 52 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Tayana 52 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 1979 Morgan 45 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1985 Tayana 52 and 37.9% for the 1979 Morgan 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Tayana 52 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 757L of water capacity and 379L 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 1985 Tayana 52 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.