Morgan-38 Owners' Group
1999 Summer Newsletter, No.7
Editor's Corner
Welcome to the seventh issue of the Newsletter. I have decided to once again devote an issue to a members' directory, the last one having appeared two years ago. During that time 60 new boats have joined up (and two have disappeared from our rolls), bringing our membership to 162. The total is broken down as 78 M-382s, 20 M-383s, 35 M-384s, 24 Charley Morgan-38s, 4 Catalina-Morgan 38s, and 1 Morgan-Majestic 39 (which used the M-384 hull). If there is strength in numbers, we're a strong crew!
Please use this membership list to find other M-38 owners or for any purposes related to promoting our boats or our Owners' Group. However, please DO NOT use it for commercial purposes, and do not make it available to anyone who would. This list will not be displayed on our internet web page -- access to it is one of the benefits of membership.
In the last issue of the Newsletter I mentioned that Dick and Judy Kilroy were about to sail their M-382 Vixen in the Marion-to-Bermuda Race. I am very pleased to report that they did quite well, finishing third in class and beating quite a few "racier" boats. These Morgans can still show a very good turn of speed if sailed well! Dick will tell us how they did it in the next Newsletter.
This issue of the Newsletter marks my last as editor. As the Owners' Group has grown and as activity on the web site and bulletin board have increased, the overall job has outgrown the ability of one sailor to handle in his spare time. Jay and Elaine Green, owners of the M-384 Nord on the Chesapeake Bay, have most graciously offered to take over the editing tasks to let me concentrate on the internet side of things. Jay has written several articles for the Newsletter and is a regular contributor to the web site Bulletin Board. His knowledge of and interest in Morgan 38s is outstanding. With Elaine's help, Jay will no doubt do an exceptional job as editor.
As editors, Jay and Elaine will face two problems that the membership must help them with. First is the continual need for articles that address the interests and concerns of M-38 owners. The editors can drum up some good articles, but it's extremely helpful if members offer to write on topics they know well. So PLEASE get in touch with the new editors during the com-ing year to share your expertise and experience. You'll be amazed at how much fun it is to see your article in print.
Second is the matter of finances. I have generally funded the Owners' Group expenses myself because I didn't want to scare people away with dues or fees. A few members contributed, unsolicited, and I appreciated that, but it wasn't expected. However, costs have grown along with the membership, and it isn't fair to expect the new editors to take on a financial burden as well as the editorial one. Counting duplication, envelopes, and postage, it costs around a dollar to send out a newsletter -- so that's now over $150 per issue, and there are three issues each year.
Although I am very hesitant to make membership in the Owners' Group contingent on paying dues, one solution might be to ask members to contribute $10 per year and hope that enough will do so to cover expenses. A second solution -- one that would lower expenses significantly -- is to deliver the Newsletter electronically to those who are willing and able to take it that way. If you have an opinion about these solutions or another idea to pursue, please send it to Jay and Elaine Green (see below) or, better yet, post it on the Bulletin Board so others can respond.
Jay and I have also discussed the possibility of recruiting a commodore or president to help set policy, organize meetings, hold rendezvous, races... whatever. That way, the Owners' Group would have three officers: a commodore, a newsletter editor, and a web master. That doesn't seem too top-heavy, and we might get lots done. Again, please let us have your comments and suggestions, on the Bulletin Board if possible. People who might be willing to serve as commodore should feel free to make themselves known.
As a parting note, I would like to ruminate a little about racing my M-383 Watermusic this past weekend in the Rockland Yacht Club's annual Rockland-to-Castine regatta along Maine's Penobscot Bay, a distance of about 20 nautical miles. The race goes up the Bay to Castine, parties ashore that evening, and races back to Rockland the next day.
I can report that light-air downwind work without spinnaker is not the boat's strong point, especially compared to newer racer-cruiser designs with folding propellers. But we knew that. Once the wind came up to seven or eight knots apparent, however, the Morgan held its own nicely with the likes of a Sabre 362 and a brand new Tartan 35, both of which owed us time on handicap.
Racing back to Rockland from Castine in a freshening northwester was an exhilarating experience. The air was initially quite light, and we all ghosted along, the Morgan losing some ground to the newer boats. After about an hour, the breeze came up on the beam and we took off at six knots, slowly catching the Sabre and Tartan. Then, with about seven miles to go, the gusty northwester came in strong, and we held on for dear life, making over seven knots close-hauled. We finished three minutes behind the Sabre, which had flown a spinnaker in the early going. Not bad!
Impressions I took away from this experience were, first, that the three-bladed power-boat prop that came on the boat is a decided disadvantage at lower speed, and a feathering prop may be in my future. Second, sail trim really matters on these boats in the moderate speed ranges. I think we were able to do some catching up in mid-race because we were more attentive to trim than our competitors. Third, you don't have to spend lots of money to go fast and have a good time. My sails are low-tech and my boat cost about a third as much as some of the others -- but we did just fine. And finally, these distance races are a good way to learn how to sail our Morgan 38s optimally in conditions similar to those we encounter in everyday cruising. Give them a try.
See you online. Yours for fair winds...
Lenny Reich
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The Morgan-38 Owners' Group Newsletter is published three times per year. Submission of owners' articles about their boats and experiences are very much appreciated.
Lenny Reich -- lsreich@colby.edu
(207) 872-3535 w / 465-2334 h
RR#2, Box 4440, Belgrade, ME 04917
Jay Green -- jdgreen@deq.state.va.us
(703) 765-6893
6501 Potomac Ave., B-2
Alexandria, VA 22307