News

by Chris Jordan
Morris Service Writer

Picture the following scenario: A beautiful August afternoon in Maine gradually gives way to approaching grey skies to the west. Thunderstorms are in the forecast. An hour run separates you from your home port. You’re on the end slip of a float with an ever stiffening wind on the stern. A boat on the end of the float hangs over the float by 5 feet obstructing your ability to back straight off the float.

Our August 2010 newsletter is out. A preview of the content is below. See link at bottom for PDF of full newsletter.

Sales of the M29 Daysailer on the rise!!!
Whether due to a recovering economy, or the attractive price (being the least expensive Morris available), or the fact that she is beautiful but sails better than she looks; the M29 daysailer has “taken off” with 8 hulls sold and more serious prospects appearing all the time.

Morris Yachts’ local Boat Show a success!!!
With tropical-like weather and the “buzz” of President Obama’s MDI visit, the Morris Boat Show was well attended and a great success.

IOD World Competition
This has been an exciting week with the IOD World competition. Northeast Harbor’s own Tony St. Denis crewed with Spencer Follweiler of San Francisco and the Bar Harbor Yacht Club. Wednesday night Morris Yachts sponsored a barbeque and square dance for the fleet.

We received quite a bit of press following Tuesday's State of the Yard meeting which was attended by Gov. John Baldacci.

Here are links to most of them:
Maine Public Radio - http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNewsArchive/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/347...

Bangor Daily News - http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Business/Morris-Yachts-celebrates-a...

Bar Harbor Times - http://mdi.villagesoup.com/business/story/morris-award-speaks-to-best-in...

Our Local NBC broadcast - http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=122916

From CBS - http://www.wabi.tv/news/13308/local-boat-business-receives-magazines-top...

Bill Springer of Cruising World magazine drove up from Boston. Governor came from Augusta along with representatives from both Senator Snowe's and Collins' offices. A representative from Congressman Michaud's office arrived from Bangor. All to celebrate and honor Morris Yachts' winning Cruising World Magazine's Boat of the Year Bristol Award for the beautiful M52.

Bill Springer explained that the contest has been going on since 1992 and Morris has one 6 times - and winning for every cruising boat entered.

Never ones to miss an opportunity and with the First Family touching down at the Bar Harbor Airport, right in Morris Yachts' backyard, Team Morris swung into action. A brand new M29 was positioned at the head of Ramp Rd and welcoming signs that had been made the day before were positioned. After a thorough search by the secret service of the Morris van and M29, we were given the RED T of all clear.

On August 1, to honor our founder, the Mount Dessert Island Community Sailing Center is delighted to announce and host the second annual Tom Morris Memorial Regatta, a fundraiser event for the MDI
Community Sailing Center scholarship program. Fittingly the Morris 45 Poppea won last year.
Advance registration forms are required. For more information please go to: http://www.mdisailing.org/News_View.aspx?Articleid=42

We realize you can’t be in two places but we want to shine the light on this terrific event July 16-18 on Martha's Vineyard. As of this posting, 4 M36s will be competing – to sign up and for more information please go to: http://www.vineyardcup.com/ If you decide to compete, please email us and we can connect you with fellow Morris owners who are participating in this terrific event. sales1@morrisyachts.com

Come to the Morris Boat Show at our service yard in Northeast Harbor, Maine. This event will showcase dozens of Morris and other fine yachts on the docks and in the sheds.

Morris Yachts is proud to sponsor this year’s International Yacht Restoration School and Museum of Yachting’s annual Summer Gala. Several M-Series yachts will be on view during the Gala weekend. For more information on IYRS click here

Good luck to the owners of Morris 40 Shearwater, Morris 45 Next Boat and Morris 47 Reindeer. They are also competing for the Morris Bermuda Bell. Reindeer currently holds the trophy. Cuyler Morris will head to Bermuda for the finish and to award the Bell to the winners. For up to date race information please go here: http://www.bermudarace.com/