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donemry · 21-08-2009, 07:29

Hello all. I'm considering buying a Morgan 454 1983 with a centerboard. Does anyone have any experience with these sailboats?

Ocean Girl · 21-08-2009, 22:24

No, sorry I don't. But welcome to the forum

Erika

Fishman_Tx · 21-08-2009, 23:19

Which one? NY, ME, or SC? The ones in NY and ME look REAL nice and they're evidently real proud of it too, as reflected by the price. the ME one looks the best cosmetically, but mechanically? well...
I've sailed on the 40' ketch (not OI) but not the 454....
Welcome!

donemry · 22-08-2009, 04:02

I know what you mean they are real proud of their boats

This one is in SC and is well equipped, but could use an awlgrip job.

SkiprJohn · 22-08-2009, 13:00

Aloha and Welcome aboard!
Kind regards,

wrublewski · 03-09-2009, 18:36

i just bought one 3 month ago. it's a good boat but a bit scarce on storage space. depends what you want it for but it sails well

donemry · 03-09-2009, 19:16

Thank you for your input........Regards......Don

Promise · 12-08-2010, 10:20

I've owned a 454 for about 15 years. I have the shoal draft version. Not many complaints other than the cockpit is too small. It should have been made to sit three on each side not two. Lets be honest most of the time your in the cockpit of the boat when sailing. Having ample room for crew to sit and enjoy the ride is a plus. The interior volume is outstanding, though I decided to use the forward bath as a storage area. Tankage is very good with 100 gal of diesel and 200 of water. Engine was a bit undersized orginally should be 50 HP not the 40 HP Universal. The forward berth is nice but a bit narrow in the bow for two to sleep so you end up sleeping feet to bow. The rear berth is large but stuffy. It needs an opening window somewhere on the sides or cockpit for ventilation. Getting in the boat when swimming is an issue. There was no scoop made into the stern of these boats. You better buy a extra-extra long ladder.
The mast stepps have had a history of failing under extreme conditions for prolonged periods. I removed the flooring in ours and rebuilt the mast step and reinforced the "EGG CRATE" at the mast and main salon. Over all boat is very nice and quite a head turner. Many don't believe its a Morgan!

**GordMay** · 12-08-2010, 10:49

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Promise.

Thanks for the unusually frank owner’s review of the M454.

wrublewski · 12-08-2010, 13:37

Good summary I agree on all but two.

I have a '85 N/M Morgan and it has same sloped stern but it's indented with a platform like a sugar scooped stern with short ladder to swim (only one I've seen so far).

As for the mast step, that got fixed in this model also. Completely glassed support with just a plate to mount the mast. No compression damage, and looks and is really solid. I've seen compression damage on other boats in the past and this one looks impossible to compress.

Try two small wind scoops for the aft cabin, circulation improves tremendously, but it would be nice to have a side porthole.

OPHELIA