Morris 45

Cruising oriented compromises include the modest draft of approximately seven feet or less, a spacious raised pilothouse for increased tankage beneath the raised sole and a wonderful view of the surroundings through large windows. A complete and indeed luxurious interior is fitted, including two fully enclosed heads - both with showers, fully appointed galley with refrigeration and corian and marble countertops, microwave and convection ovens, and far more stowage compartments than one finds aboard today’s racers and racer/cruisers. As on our previous design REINDEER, the lovely picture windows of the pilothouse sides are bent at about mid height. This crease, besides being aesthetically appealing, also has the practical effect of making the creased windows significantly more than flat panes would have been!

The hull and deck are of highly engineered E-glass and kevlar reinforcements (so as to avoid the IMS penalty on the use of carbon in the hull) in a vacuum bagged, post cured epoxy laminate over CoreCell closed cell foam core. The rig in its racing configuration is uncompromised, being very powerful with a large mainsail that will require active trimming for racing success, and a foretriangle which carries a full 155% overlap genoa when racing. A flatter cut, smaller mainsail will be used when cruising, as will a 110% overlap jib. Trial sails have shown that the speed of this yacht both to windward and offwind is superb- a recent test had her making 5.5 knots dead downwind under spinnaker in a true wind of 7 knots, and hard on the wind at 8.15 knots in a 9 knot true wind. Stability is excellent, and she is able to carry her full racing sail at 22 knots apparent without reefing. Her convincing win in the Down East Race Week series confirms her ability to consistently get to the front of the pack.

Hull design is aimed at all out speed under IMS or PHRF rules. There are no bumps or hollows aimed at rating reduction, just a beautifully fair shape with flattish buttocks and what designers used to call "long legs" with a long waterline and sharp entry angle. The extremely lightweight construction which is currently required for first place grand prix finishes is avoided, since this flimsy type of yacht has at most a two year useful life. FIREFLY is very strongly built, and will still be racing in thirty years’ time and at the same time providing her owner with the pleasure of a luxurious cruising home. The keel is a massively bulbed racing/cruising compromise, with its upper half of welded stainless steel and its lower half of lead. The hollow stainless upper half is present so that the yacht has an effective sump to contain bilge water, while stability with the huge bulb is very powerful, eliminating the need to keep a crew of ten on the rail when sailing to windward.

The galley is very large and has a vast amount of usable countertop, a gourmet chef's delight. The entire interior of this yacht exudes luxury, yet she is exceedingly fast as well- a testimonial to the skill of those who built her.