Charley Morgan

Morgan Out Island 28Charley E. Morgan (November 17, 1929 - January 7, 2023) was an American sailboat racer and designer. He was best known as the founder of Morgan Yacht Corporation.

Early life Morgan was born in Chicago November 1929 and raised in Florida. Morgan built the yacht Brisote and completed a St. Petersburg, Florida to Havana, Cuba race with Bruce Bidwell. and took a job with Johnson Sails, located at the Jean Street Shipyard on the Hillsborough River.

Racing In 1957, Morgan, along with Charlie Hunt, designed and built Brisote, a 31-foot plywood yawl. After successfully appealing disqualification due to a lack of engine, he entered the Havana race and took second in Brisote's division.

Morgan's involvement in the company ended in 1972.

Ownership of Morgan Yacht was sold to Beatrice Foods in 1968, providing funds for Morgan to design and build the wooden 12-meter yacht Heritage to compete for selection as defender of the America's Cup.

Morgan found Heritage Yacht Corporation in 1975, producing trawlers and sailing yachts. The company was forced into bankruptcy and ownership transferred to Catalina Yachts. and Morgan began working for Chris-Craft, doing design work on their trawler line.

Designs Columbia 40 Morgan 22 Morgan 24/25 Morgan 34 Morgan Out Island 41 Morgan 41 aka M41 Morgan 42 aka M42-1 Morgan 42 aka M42-2