HOME

After "Paper Tiger's" amazing successes in the  of the SORC series of 1961 and '62, Morgan realized his future was going to be devoted to the design of racing sailing yachts, but, he had no one to build them. What to do?

Later in 1962, "Lady Luck", cast her pivotal ballot in Charley's favor with an order from James B. Turner for a small cruiser-racer to compete in the coastal offshore racing around the central West Coast of Fl.
Not only did Jimmy ask for the boat to be designed, he asked if Charley would build it!
Seldom at a loss for words or a quick response, Charley accepted and a new facet to Charley's career began.        No sooner than the design work was begun Charley wound up with a chronic respiratory illness that turned out to be the dreaded TB; so off to Hospital.
Undaunted, Morgan while in isolation, completed  the design for the "Tiger Cubs", and  preliminary drawings for a 70', fiber-glass, ocean racing ketch, for Turner, who had bought a local yacht yard to build what would become, for a time; the "Worlds Largest" fiberglass sailing yacht, BIG TOY, ... but that, dear readers is another story.

(BIG TOY was built, had a global career having made a world circumnavigation, ... her story will be told in the Morgan Chantyman. Ed.)

 

Shown above are, TOY owned by J. B. (Jimmy Turner). and built by Charley Morgan and his helper Armin Hess, in the rear shed of the Morgan Racing Sails loft. GINGER was produced as a kit and completed by William D. Johnson, younger brother of Clinton Johnson from whom Morgan learned the sailmakers art.
Both "Tiger Cubs" were consistent winners in offshore racing. Only a few "Cubs" were built and were the first Morgan Yachts built before Charley had to be isolated for a time from family, friends and the public owing to the Tuberculosis, ...BUT, that is the time "Charley's Plans" for Morgan Yacht's future were being formed.

The performance of the "Tiger Cubs" attracted the attention of Dick Valdes and Vincent Lazzara, Principals of Columbia Yacht Corporation who made an offer to buy the design which was accepted and later became the "Columbia 31".

(Principal dimensions, sail plan, additional photos and other particulars will follow soon. Ed.)