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West Indies 36 Morgan
Designer: Charles Morgan  ·  Builder: Heritage Yacht Corp. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the West Indies 36 Morgan

Built between 1976 and 1979 by Heritage Yacht Corp., this Charles Morgan-designed cruiser represents classic 1970s bluewater sailing philosophy with only 40 hulls ever constructed. The fiberglass construction features a substantial displacement of 17,000 pounds with 7,000 pounds of ballast, creating the stable platform that serious cruising sailors demand for offshore passages. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling options and storm versatility, while the moderate beam of 12 feet balances interior volume with seaworthiness. With a comfort ratio of 28.8, this design prioritizes stability and motion comfort over speed, making long passages more pleasant for crew. The capsize screening formula of 1.87 indicates good offshore capability, though the 7.4-foot draft limits access to shallow anchorages. This Morgan design appeals to traditionalist cruisers who value seaworthiness over performance. The SA/Displacement ratio of 16.95 suggests moderate sailing ability in light air, while the hull's substantial construction and deep keel inspire confidence in heavy weather. Originally equipped with a 25-horsepower auxiliary engine, these boats were designed for self-sufficient cruising couples planning extended offshore voyages where reliability trumps speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.42 ft / 11.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 7.40 ft / 2.26 m
Min Draft 4.17 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 17,000.00 lb / 7,711 kg
Ballast 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 698.00 ft² / 64.85 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Charles Morgan
Builder Heritage Yacht Corp. (USA)
First Built 1976
Last Built 1979
Number Built 40
Associations West Indies 36
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 146
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 16.95
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 41.18
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 231.61
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 28.8
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.87
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.58 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.35
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,372.07 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.96
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 49.58 ft / 15.11 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.50 ft / 4.72 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.33 ft / 13.21 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
SA Fore 384.25 ft² / 35.70 m²
SA Main 314.14 ft² / 29.18 m²
SA Total (100%) 698.39 ft² / 64.88 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.95 ft / 15.83 m
Mast Height (DWL) 55.00 ft / 16.76 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model MD-2B
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 25
Fuel Capacity 45 gals / 170 L
Water Capacity 70 gals / 265 L
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