Construction of Hull #1 of the Morris M52 is Underway!

The Morris M52

A virtual interior of Hull #1

A virtual image of the detailing

After nearly a year of engineering and planning with renowned naval architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens, Morris Yachts recently finalized their design work and confirmed the first order for the M52. While entirely capable of crossing oceans and perfectly suited for extended cruising, the M52 is in every way closely related to her successful smaller cousins M36 and M42. With the unmistakable S&S lines and designed to be just as easy to sail as the M36, the M52 will complete the fleet of the M-series providing sailors with the unique option for a 52’ yacht that doubles as the perfect daysailer!
Morris was particularly pleased to move forward on this exciting project with a family who currently own a M42. The family of five plan to sail their M42 for a second summer season in New England while their M52 is built.

M5201 will be built with the more traditional interior layout; galley aft and main salon forward (in lieu of the Navigation station aft and galley amidships.) Like their M42, the interior bulkheads will be a white raised panel arrangement with the traditional Herreshoff-style high gloss varnished Mahogany trim. With two dedicated cabins and a main salon and quarter berth that can transition into additional sleeping quarters (for times the entire family is aboard,) this interior layout provides the missing ingredients from their M42, but without compromising the design features of the over-sized cockpit so perfectly suited for their daysailing needs.

Sail handling has been thoroughly engineered for simplicity, reliability, and ease of use. A Hall Spars carbon fiber mast, Leisurefurl in-boom furling system, Navtec hydraulic system for the vang and backstay and electric primary and main halyard winches are standard equipment. Her generous fractional rig with self-tacking jib makes for a powerful yet remarkably easy to control sail plan. As perfected on the smaller M-Series boats all sheets and control lines are led below deck to rope clutches and electric winches located in the cockpit within easy reach of the helmsperson. The only lines above deck are for the asymmetrical cruising spinnaker that is trimmed from self-tailing electric winches outboard of the helm. All of these features allow for comfortable and convenient access to all sail controls for the skipper with lots of cockpit room for family and guests.

Forward of the control pods are spacious port and starboard cockpit seats with Sunbrella-covered closed cell foam cushions. The seats are nearly seven feet in length and comfortably suitable for seating six adults or taking a nap. Hatches on all three cockpit seats allow access to below-decks storage. A standard gloss-varnished teak drop leaf table with integrated cooler is permanently fixed to the cockpit sole.

A high performance bulbed keel of moderate draft together with a high aspect ratio carbon/epoxy spade rudder are designed and built for speed, stability, and precise control. Exterior styling is traditional with gelcoat deckhouse and gloss varnished teak joinery including toe rail, eyebrow trim, dorade boxes, coaming cap, and companionway hatch and cabin top handrails. Optionally the house and cockpit can be trimmed in varnished teak cladding. The deck has a contrasting color non-skid finish and the cockpit sole is laid teak decking. Teak decking can also be added on the main deck for the ultimate in classic looks.

Auxiliary propulsion comes from a Yanmar 54hp Saildrive diesel engine with a three-blade Flex-O-Fold folding propeller. A VHF radio, GPS with 8” color display, sailing instruments with three separate displays for wind, depth and speed readings are located in the cockpit and a multi-function repeater is mounted at the Nav station. A complete owner’s manual is included. The M52 is CE approved for Class B or C depending on optional equipment selected.

Scheduled to launch in late 2008, Morris Yachts and the Dingeman family look forward to working together over the next several months to create the first of yet another beautiful Morris M-series Yacht!