The Morgan

The Morgan is a 25 year old schooner-rigged fin-keel sailing yacht. The boot was designed by Pieter Beeldsnijder, to Lloyds specifications. Built for safe and relaxing ocean sailing, the steering house is almost in the centre of the ship giving maximum stability. Its high sides keep the crew comfortable, and provide optimum protection. All lines to the sails can be operated from the steering house, reducing the need to go on the foredeck to trim the sails during heavy and wet weather.

The Morgan is equipped with a double steering system: a hand operated cable system for the rudder; and a hydraulic system for the automatic pilot. The automatic pilot is driven by a hand held electronic steering device which we have named Goliath.

An important feature of the Morgan, as opposed to other yachts of comparable size, is her storage room at the stern. This is indispensable as it allows us to have a generator, compressor (to fill the diving tanks), and weight belts for diving on board without damaging the wood interior.

Sailing features
Double masts of equal lengths, and a full roll system for the sails means that the Morgan can be easily trimmed on the wind. This is usually done with the fore sail, the Genoa, and we are able to reach average distances of 120 nautical miles per day (1 nautical mile = 1.86 km).

Living on the Morgan
The Morgan has three double cabins, and can sleep up to six people. One of its two bathrooms has been converted into a dive centre for most of our equipment.

The living/dining area has a round sofa and a navigation table. This is both our working and living space, and where we spend most of our time. Here we edit film footage as well as write our scripts and stories. We also have a mini-entertainment centre with screen to review our footage, watch DVDs and listen to music.

Backing onto the living area is the open galley. Tucked behind the navigation table is the bathroom.

Features
3 double cabins
1 shower and toilet
Storage space for the diving equipment
Kitchen
Navigation centre
Living/dining area

Nautical information

With the exception of the jib, all the sails are operated by a roll system, rolling into the masts.

Engines and energy sources
Perkins 4331 85 hp inboard diesel engine
A 2 cylinder 6 kilowatt generator
Compressor, 80 litre per minute capacity

General specifications
Water tank 800 litre
Diesel tank 350 litre

Electronics:
Radar
GPS
Single Side Band radio
Marephone
BNG wind set (to measure wind speed and angle)
PC with electronic nautical charts and navigation programme

Steerage
Steering plate with chain and cable steering
Hydraulic automatic pilot

Miscellaneous
Water maker
Electric anchor winch with 80 m chain and 10 mm chinks
Reserve anchor
Dinghy, 3.2 m with 10 h.p. outboard motor
6 electric waterpumps
2 hand pumps
40 litre butane gas tank
Life raft for 6 people