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Morris M42

2006 April 12
By Robert H. Perry

Traditional cruiser

It's curious that we find ourselves at a time when there is so much attention being directed to so-called "vintage-looking" yachts. I'm not sure vintage is the best word but it's the one that comes to mind. My guess is that it's a reaction to something and that something could very well be the amorphous, sleek and overly styled production boats that dominate the scene today. But for someone like me-approaching 60-the older, more classic styling looks good and reminds me of the boats I admired as a boy when I was first drawn to sailing and yacht design. While the older styling may give up an iota of performance-if you measure performance in tenths of a knot-it sure delivers emotional satisfaction. I remind my own clients, "We are not looking for sensible shoes here. It's a sailboat. It's supposed to be fun, so why not exercise that playful side of our nature and pick a boat that delivers good VMG along with the most SPM (smiles per mile).

The crew at Sparkman & Stephens has again teamed up with the Morris crew to produce a boat designed in the style of the boats of the 1940s and 1950s. This boat is intended for sailors who admired the S&S Morris 36 but wanted something bigger with full headroom. I think the result is a very handsome boat that would be a lot of fun to sail and cruise.

But this is not a boat from the 1940s or 1950s. This hull is lighter for its DWL with a D/L of 237. If you compare this design to a boat from 1945, for instance my boyhood favorite the fabulous Owens Cutter, you get a D/L for the Owens of 321. The bad news is that with less hull in the water the new S&S design needs slightly more freeboard and a higher cabintrunk in order to get the interior and headroom to work. The good news is the new boat would sail circles around the old Owens Cutter. In almost any condition the Morris would be a lot more fun and easier to sail than the Owens. The L/B is narrow at 3.75. For comparison, the Owens is even narrower at 4.02. You can choose from either 5 feet, 8 inch draft or 6 feet, 11 inch draft. Note in the hull profile the subtle reverse or concavity to the counter aft. This will shorten the sailing length of the 42 slightly but make for a much prettier boat.

The interior layout is very simple and very effective. The boat is laid out for a cruising couple with a double berth forward and a head aft. The galley is small and the head is adequate. I like the symmetrical layout of the saloon with the centerline drop-leaf table. Privacy will be missing on this boat so it will work best for a couple. It would make a sweet and swift singlehander.

The fractional rig features a self-tacking jib with the track on the housetop and an SA/D of 19.15. The mainsheet leads to a barney post-type arrangement in the cockpit so there is no traveler. I have done boats with and without travelers and today I prefer travelers as they give more control over leach tension. Looking at the sailplan, I admire the sheer spring. A 39-horsepower Yanmar with saildrive is standard.

The cockpit is big and has the primary winches mounted within easy reach of the helm. There is plenty of room for a generous cockpit table. The ground tackle system is hinged back megayacht-style to stow in a foredeck well. The self-tacking track is wide enough to allow an 11.5-degree sheeting angle and that's good. If the track is too short and the angle too narrow you will have trouble with your sheeting angle once you ease sheets.

Morris Yachts will do its typical great job of building this design and its style of building suits the type well. The new M42 will be a head turner for a long time.