RE; Bluewater Morgans
Katherine, I know several people who have crossed the Atlantic in the 41 Out Island. The boat does not fit the general parameters given in many sources that define the "best" type of boat for such use, but Charley Morgan and I have had several discussions on the topic. You will also find a diagram out there that shows the capsize ratio makes the boat unsuitable for offshore use, however, we have determined that the diagram was done for one particular boat, Charley feels that it does not reflect the findings from their tank tests. I would not hesitate to cross the Atlantic in this boat once I made sure of a few other important items, i.e., 1) What is the condition of the rig? Is it old and tired or has it been replaced recently? Understand that the wire and chainplates are subject to fatigue over time and that any boat that you cross and ocean with should have the rigging in good shape. Same thing with the sails, engine, lifelines, and on and on and on. 2) What is the skill level of the crew and do they understand that you can't fight mother nature? Knowledge of weather patterns and when to go is more important than "Is the boat bluewater or not." The history of sailing is full of people who crossed oceans on boats that were not what we may label as seaworthy and they did it with a lot of knowledge, a lot of luck or both. Let me know when you're going and my son and I, both captains, may go along. He was born in England and wants to go back. Though we usually fly, we sold our Morgan 41 before doing the Atlantic, so we might enjoy the trip.;-) Regards, Mary Stoltz
