Morris 48
Since our founding in 1972, Morris yachts have earned a reputation as the epitome of traditional-styled cruising sailboats. However, in many ways the new MY48 is anything but traditional.
One look at her and you know that this is a 21st-century product. The 30-year-old Morris philosophy that developed a broad range of traditionally designed and constructed sailboats might appear out of step by our latest design concepts. Building a lighter weight hull, engineered for strength and long legs at sea, carries forward our tradition built on past experience. The 48 hull was engineered with bi-axial knitted fabrics, longitudinal and transverse structural members and reinforced with unidirectional fabrics and vinylester resin throughout.
Designed for ease of handling, the 48 has a double-spreader swept-back rig with outboard chain plates. A small headsail overlap at 104% of fore triangle provides excellent sailing performance at all wind angles. To cruise coastal areas or oceans of the world she can be fitted with a shoal or deep draft keel.
Above: Morris 48 Barra at the International Rolex Regatta held at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Barra finished second in her class of 13 in Spinnaker Racing/Cruising Division. Photos by Pim Van Hemmen.
If you would, take a moment to read Sail Magazine's review of the boat (click on News) and it will be immediately apparent that in addition to an absolutely sumptuous interior and spacious accommodations, an owner can expect to outrun most other sailboats in this size range while enjoying finger tip tracking and the legendary sailing performance that Morris Yachts has become world reknowned for.
The Morris 48 is very much at home offshore. Her prototype was designed for her owner to cruise from above the Arctic Circle to the tropics, or race to Bermuda. While the bash to Bermuda was the raison d'etre for the prototype, REINDEER, you may consider a Gulf Stream encounter only the first of many challenges of an extended world cruise in your MY48. Be prepared, however, for a quick trip, for spectacular views of the ocean from big, strong pilothouse windows. Be prepared for the lightness of heart that comes from the light-filled raised salon and navigation areas or choose the optional galley up interior arrangement.
And speaking of interiors, everywhere you look inside the 48 there are hand-built furnishings and precision fitted joiner-work, thick hand holds, gorgeous cherry wood, layers of carefully applied varnish, and solid Corian countertops. As for weight savings, we have our secrets. For example, while the bulkheads appear to be solid cherry or Formica, they're actually made of lighter composite material. Yet with all her racy lines and space-age technology, at heart, she's still every inch a Morris!
Morris Ownership Extra: North U and You
Included with the purchase of your Morris, to further enhance the Morris experience is an exclusive, three day on-the-water sail training program aboard your new boat with a coach from North Sails University. Each customized program will be designed by North U to match the needs, skills and requests of each individual owner.
| Principal Dimensions: | |
| LOA: | 48'9" |
| LWL: | 42'10" |
| Beam: | 13'10" |
| Deep: | 6'6" |
| Displacement: | 32,000 lbs |
| Ballast: | 10,700 lbs |
| Sail Area: | 1,018 sq ft I=58.50' J=17.58' P=51.60' |
| Water: | 175 gals |
| Fuel: | 90 gals |
| Construction: | Vinylester composite |
| Designer: | Chuck Paine |
