Morgan Tiger Cubs

After "Paper Tiger's" successes in the of the SORC series of 1961 and '62, Charley Morgan realized his future was going to be devoted to the design of racing and cruising 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 the late 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 Turner ask for the boat to be designed, he commissioned Charley to 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 Turner that became 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 "World's Largest" fiberglass sailing yacht, BIG TOY. (BIG TOY was built, had a global career having made a world circumnavigation)

Shown above are,TOYownedby J. B. (Jimmy Turner). And built by Charley Morgan with his helperArmin Hess,in the rear shed of theMorgan Racing Sailsloft.GINGERwas produced as a kit and completed by William D. Johnson,younger brother ofClinton Johnsonfrom whom Morgan learned the sail makers art. Both "Tiger Cubs" were consistent winners in coastal cruiser 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 Tuberculosis,...BUT,that was the time "Charley's Plans" for Morgan Yacht's future began to be formed. The performance of the"Tiger Cubsattracted the attention of Dick Valdes and Vincent Lazzara, Principals ofColumbia Yacht Corporationwho made an offer to buy the design which Charley accepted later to become the"Columbia 31".(Principal dimensions, sail plan, additional photos and other particulars will be added. Ed.)

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