…at the new Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge!

Following on from its all-new model launch in 2019 of the range topping Merry Fisher 1095, Jeanneau have taken another leap forward with the concept of cruising aboard outboard powerboats, of 10 meters and over, with the a new Flybridge version of its award winning 1095.

Already unique in its category, having twin outboard engines and three cabins, the Merry Fisher 1095 is now well ahead of the trend boasting this Flybridge version.

The Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge features all the same great qualities of the normal Merry Fisher 1095: good interior volume, comfortable bench seat at the helm, a high-performance hull design, modular cockpit, recessed side deck, great storage volume and the usual high comfort level enjoyed by the entire Merry Fisher range.

The new Flybridge offers an additional ‘living’ area enabling the pilot to enjoy the sun and sea spray from a dedicated helm station, includinga forward sundeck and a folding co-pilot bench seat. The bench seat can be transformed into a sun lounger or an xxl sundeck, it’s your choice! The Flybridge also includes multiple storage solutions and can also accommodate an optional Bimini. As with all the Merry Fisher range there is a vast host of extras that can be specified at the build stage. With over 40 years’ experience Morgan Marine can give you the best possible advice as to what options you should consider having fitted at the factory.

Now, with its unique design, the Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge easily assumes the title of a luxury long-distance family cruiser.

This new model will be officially launched in a world premiere at the Cannes Boat Show in September. For more details on the show:

https://www.facebook.com/Cannes-Yachting-Festival-180413645312841/

To pre-order this stunning new model, in blue-hulled ‘Legend’ version or classic white hull, or for further details on this or any other Merry Fisher, please call Oli, Ric or Steve in the Morgan Marine Sales Office: 01206 302008

We can supply this new model fully prepared, antifouled, and ready to go with handover at Morgan Marine (or any other Marina in the UK or Europe). CE category B for 8 / C for 10.

Award winning Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 WA

Earlier this year the prestigious Motor Boat & Yachting Magazine annual awards were revealed. Winners were picked across multiple categories covering pretty much all the options available to potential motorboat purchasers. Jeanneau, unsurprisingly, received nominations in several categories but probably the most hotly contested was ‘Sportsboats and RIBs’.

The winner? Jeanneau’s fantastic Cap Camarat 9.0 WA!

Below is the release from MBY Magazine after the awards were announced:

The Cap Camarat range has always been one of practical, value-conscious boating. Not ostentatious but solid and dependable, a natural step into the world of boating and an ideal tool for a family to enjoy themselves on the water.

The 9.0 is different though, it still has these important elements but with this model, Jeanneau has created a boat that will also keep the driver happy. With a pair of 250hp Yamaha outboards it will achieve a top speed just short of 50 knots and cruise anywhere from the mid-teens to the mid-40s. The hull rides softly and grips tenaciously when pushed from the helm but at no point feels like it might turn around and bite you.

It’s a versatile craft too, available as either a walkaround with a sociable bow area or as a centre console with a cuddy cabin for overnight stays or some shelter if the weather turns. 

Jeanneau could have so easily built a safe and sensible 30ft sportsboat but instead it created a boat with the creature comforts expected of a Cap Camarat and endowed it with real ability and exhilarating performance, which must be applauded.

The Cap Camarat also took the prize in ‘best for fun’ category at the International Best of Boats Awards (BOB) in Berlin, November 2018.

The Cap Camarat’s traditional V-shaped hull was designed by Michaël Peters at Jeanneau. Ensuring stability and excellent seakeeping as well as secure handling at speed – perfect for family cruising or those more sporty days out! The layout and utilisation of space on Jeanneau’s Cap Camarat 9.0 WA make her the ideal boat for day trips or weekend cruises. The vast cockpit benefits from a helm station with seating for two, a well-equipped port-side galley and plenty of storage options. Inside, the Cap Camarat 9.0 WA features a very large double berth, a saloon that also converts into a double berth, a head compartment with separate shower, a breakfast area and again, plenty of storage options.

Just this month Morgan Marine took delivery of an award winning Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 WA(which had been on order for stock) it sold immediately to a customer for use in Southern Spain. All the pre-delivery work and outboard rigging (including Yamahas great new Helm Master system: https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/home/rigging/all/helm-master)was carried out on site here at Morgan Marine before being signed off after sea trials by the customer. We then shrink-wrapped the it for its long overland journey to Southern Spain, to a very happy customer!

Currently delivery times on the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 WA are very good so if you would like to discuss how you can be at the helm of one of these amazing boats please give us a call on 01206 302008. Competitive finance, moorings and storage all available here at our 10 acre Essex boatyard.
https://morganmarine.com/boat/jeanneau-cap-camarat-9-0-wa-10184/

A great time had by all!

Well, after weeks of planning, many, many, man-hours spent cleaning and preparing display boats, organising refreshments, arranging entertainment, etc. etc.it was all over too quickly!

Morgan Marine’s annual Showboat event held last weekend (6 & 7^thof July) has become a well-regarded event in many new and old (as well as prospective) customer’s calendars. With a great line-up of new and used boats, this year bolstered with the addition of the Highfield RIB’s and Sea Ray dealerships (taken on just recently), and some great entertainment for young and old; alike a great weekend was always on the cards.

Saturday was the big day with plenty of entertainment as well as food and drink, with Sunday being a more relaxed general open day and overspill for invitees who could not make the Saturday.

Probably the jewel in the crown for many visitors across both days was the stunning Jeanneau Leader 40, which took pride of place on the concourse as you approached the show.
https://morganmarine.com/boat/jeanneau-leader-40-10163/

Closely followed by the Jeanneau’s Merry Fisher flagship model the superb 1095 https://morganmarine.com/boat/jeanneau-merry-fisher-1095-10171/

Although the new Sea Ray’s with their superb build quality and finish drew many admiring glances. Our SPX 210 in particular, with its gleaming black hull, had many visitors who couldn’t seem to take their eyes off it!

Both Oli and Graham Miller took to the stage in the afternoon to introduce themselves to the guests as the new owners of Morgan Marine and James the Harbour Master also said a few words regarding the harbour and its beneficial effect on the local economy. Alan Goggin also took the opportunity to wave farewell to Ric and Steve Morgan and to welcome the Miller family. Finally, George Jepps gave a very informative talk on predicting the weather!

The highlight of the entertainment had to be pianist and composer Carl Joseph on the Saturday (Below)… Carl studied at The Royal Academy of Music and King’s College and has performed as a soloist worldwide and at venues in the UK including The Royal Albert Hall, Sadlers Wells, Young Vic, St. David’s Hall Cardiff, Chichester Festival. He has played at 4 V-Festivals, several BAFTA awards, for The Prince’s Trust, British Fashion Awards, Paris Haute Couture Week, Chelsea Flower Show and a host of celebrity parties. To say it was a coup for Ric Morgan to get him down to the show as part of the entertainment is an understatement. He really ‘wowed’ the audience. Just take a look!
https://youtu.be/Tv9qvMAilyY

In the mix as well was Marcel Entertainments doing everything from table magic to balloon modelling for the children, as well as a traditional Punch & Judy show. In between all this the excellent Oo la la band managed to squeeze in some great covers of well-known tracks.

So with the drink all drunk and the food eaten, the entertainers exhausted along with most of the Morgan Marine staff; the day ended respectably at 8pm (on Saturday) with many guests wishing they could stay longer. Maybe next year!

Built in 1902, The Preußen (usually Preussen in English) was the first five-masted tall ship ever built. It was a German steel-hulled windjammer built in 1902 for the F. Laeisz shipping company and named after the German state and kingdom of Prussia. It was the only ship of this class with five masts carrying six sails on each mast within the world merchant fleet. (Until the Swedish sail cruise liner Royal Clipper was launched in 2000!). Its hull length was 433′ (132 m) and carried 47 sails…There were other five masters, but none of them by definition was a tall ship.

The sturdily built ship could weather nearly any storm and even tack in force 9 winds. In such conditions eight men had to hold the 6 1⁄2-foot-tall double steering wheel. She was successfully used in the saltpeter trade between Germany and Chile, setting speed records in the process. Under good conditions, the ship could reach a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h). Her best 24-hour runs were 392 nm in 1908 on her voyage to Japan and 426 nm in 1904 in the South Pacific. Due to her appearance, uniqueness, and excellent sailing characteristics sailors called her the “Queen of the Queens of the Seas”. In early 1903, she sailed an unequalled record voyage from Lizard Point to Iquique in 57 days.

In 1910, just 8 years after her launch, she sunk in the English Channel due to damage from a collision with a small cross-channel steamer, ‘Brighton‘. Contrary to regulations, Brighton had tried to cross her bows, underestimating her high speed of 16 knots. Legend has it the skipper said: “a sailboat can’t go that fast” – after which the two collided. The Master of Brighton was found to be responsible for the accident and lost his licence as a result.

Preussen was seriously damaged and lost much of her forward rigging, making it impossible to steer the ship to safety. Brighton returned to Newhaven to summon aid and the tug Alert was sent to assist Preussen. A November gale thwarted attempts to sail or tug her to safety in Dover Harbour. It was intended to anchor her off Dover but both anchor chains broke and Preussen was driven onto rocks at Crab Bay where she sank because of the damage inflicted on her. While crew, cargo and some equipment could be saved from Preussen, with the keel broken she was rendered unsalvageable.

Today, just a few odd ribs of Preussen can be seen off Crab Bay at a low spring tide. A sad end to an iconic ship, that due to her record setting ability and uniqueness may well have been around even today, had her speed not played a part in her downfall…

Morgan Marine are at the Suffolk show!

The Suffolk Show is held at Trinity Park on the outskirts of Ipswich. Conveniently located just off the A14 and easily accessible from all parts of the county and from Essex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

This last day at the show promises some great weather! Some come and say hello!

We are stand number Red 442
If you are looking for us at the show we are between the Lexus stand and Fiat car stands and near the Flower show. You can just see one of our boats from the roadway that runs in front of the flower tent and catering, if you look into the car sales area you can see our boats and we are tucked beside them.

We have a Merry Fisher on display as well as a Highfield 540 DL RIB. We also have a selection of wet suits, clothing, shoes and our great value inflatable paddle boards!

For further details on the show itself as well as times, ticket prices and detailed directions etc. go to: https://suffolkshow.co.uk

Copperas Road in Brightlingsea is the main drag through Shipyard Estate that leads directly to Morgan Marine. Strangely, we rarely refer to it in our address details, as being the largest boat yard in Brightlingsea and therefore Shipyard Estate, we are very easy to find! The name Copperas Road though has always been intriguing to us…. most of the road names in the town tend to have a nautical flavour or relate to various types of industry the town has harboured over the centuries. (i.e Oyster Tank Road – where the local Oyster catch would be purified in large tanks – prior to the industries decimation after the big freeze in 1963 when it was possible to walk from Brightlingsea Hard to Point Clear, on the iced over estuary. Take a look at this fascinating vintage newsreel for more information on this)
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-oyster-fishing-at-brightlingsea-1963-online

So, some investigation was in order! The road name in fact commemorates the now long-gone Copperas works at Brightlingsea. One Philip Morant, an 18th century historian of Essex refers to it in 1768, and a ‘Copperas House’ is marked on the 1777 Chapman and Andre map.

The Copperas industry was an important industry in eighteenth century Essex. It involved gathering of Pyrite nodules (commonly known as Fools Gold but also in this instance as ‘Copperas stones’ – technically bisulphide of iron, FeS2) from local beaches, where they had been washed out of the London Clay, and then allowing them to oxidise for several months in open vats. This lengthy and hazardous industrial process converted the nodules to ferrous sulphate (green vitriol), which was an essential chemical for making dyes, ink, and several industrial chemicals such as sulphuric acid. It is claimed that it was the world’s first industrial chemical process – over a century before the Industrial Revolution.

It is claimed that Copperas was manufactured in Brightlingsea as early as 1542. In 1674, the famous Essex naturalist John Ray published an account of refining metals and minerals in England and in this book, he describes the technical aspects of Copperas manufacture at Brightlingsea: The pyrite stones were first packed into heaps with scrap-iron in large rectangular wooden containers and then moistened. The action of the air, water and bacteria oxidised the pyrites into ferrous sulphate (green vitriol or Copperas) and sulphuric acid. The solution was then removed to leaden tanks or boilers. Extra scrap iron could be added to react with the sulphuric acid and produce more ferrous sulphate. The water was evaporated by heat to concentrate the solution. It was then removed again to a cooler, where wooden rods or branches were placed into the liquid, causing Copperas to crystallize on them. The Copperas crystals could then be scraped off and packed into barrels for shipping.

Copperas pickers were often paid in ‘Copperas tokens’ (as shown).The inscription 1736 Walton *I*K means John Kirby, the owner of the Walton Copperas House at that time, and owner (like the Hopkins family before him) of the copperas house in Copperas Road, Brightlingsea.  Paupers as well as Wives and children of fishermen were often employed to gather the Pyrite nodules from the beaches. The collected stones were normally gathered into heaps on the shore where they remained until they were eventually loaded onto flat bottomed barges, or hoys, which were used to transport them the short distance along the coast to one of the local Copperas Houses. Its  assumed the tokens were redeemable for usable currency probably at Copperas House although it’s also possible the workers could only use them against food and goods  supplied by the company…

In 1848, the miller John Archer built a sloop for exporting Copperas stones, still being collected locally, although by 1850 the Copperas works had closed.In the 1870’s and 1880s the Archer family purchased the rights to collect Copperas stones from the shore at Harwich, although the industry had by then been long in decline. The stones were still being processed in Ipswich and London however.

A small bit of Brightlingsea history, that maybe wasn’t so small after all!

With the continued expansion of our Engineering Department we have recruited another highly-experienced engineer – Peter Horn.

It is fair to say that Peter is a bit of a salty old sea dog! With more than 20 years sailing experience, especially in and around Greece and her islands.

He is also a fully qualified and experienced diesel engineer as well as a certified Instructor in both Sail & Power able to award internationally recognized certificates and ICCs.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Peter spent over 15 years in Kefalonia, in the stunning harbour location of Fiscardo. During the Summer months, his intimate knowledge of the local coastline, moorings and neighbouring islands enabled him to offer bespoke services to both boat owners, qualified sailors & novices alike.

Peter has worked on everything from the largest superyachts down to the smallest RIBs and plenty of sailing boats in between. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team and we look forward to a long and happy relationship!

Engineering qualifications
Qualifications/City & Guilds
12 volt and 24 volt electrical systems
Compression, ignition and fuel injection equipment Diesel engines
Compressed air equipment
General technology and heavy vehiclesSailing Qualifications.
Royal Yachting Association
Commercial endorsement, Day Skipper Tidal, Day Skipper Theory, Sea Survival
First Aid
IYT (International Yacht Training)
Bareboat Instructor in both Sail and Power
M.C.A
ICC in coastal waters vessels both power & sail up to 24m or 80GT
VHF license

Sailing Qualifications
Royal Yachting Association
Commercial endorsement, Day Skipper Tidal, Day Skipper Theory, Sea Survival
First Aid
IYT (International Yacht Training)
Bareboat Instructor in both Sail and Power
M.C.A
ICC in coastal waters vessels both power & sail up to 24m or 80GT
VHF license

Morgan Marine have a new young member of staff.

Hailing from St Osyth James Stacey is here primarily as a junior yard hand, helping with general yard duties as well as undersealing and preparing customer boat hulls.

Despite his age James is a very experienced sailor having just moved out of the Spitfire Class (16ft performance catamarans) as the 2017 National Champion and 2018 inland national championship. Plus, TT winner (Overall highest number of event wins)!

James has also been with Brightlingsea Sailing Club, https://www.sailbrightlingsea.comfor the last three years and has recently been promoted to Assistant Bosun having moved across from Clacton sailing club where he spent six years. He is also heavily involved in the Vampire project – an innovative foiling project run out of Brightlingsea Sailing Club https://vampire-project.com

The list of craft he has experience on is quite impressive, with just a few listed below!
Nacra 15
Spitfire
F18
Hurricane
Vampire Project
Dart 18
Dart 16
Brightlingsea One Design (BOD)
RS Feva
RS Tera
RS 500
RS 200
Topper
Laser
Weyfarer
Firefly

For 2019, he is moving into the F18 Class (Crews and helms) but spreads his time with helping to promote sailing at events like the Alexandra Palace RYA dinghy show, a few weekends back, representing the Nacra 15 class association trying to get new sailors involved in that class.

Sadly, James will not be here at Morgan Marine forever! He will ultimately be leaving to go to Portsmouth University to study Engineering & technology, with a view to then joining the Royal Navy in an engineering role. Something we will be wishing him the very best of luck with in future. In the meantime, do stop and say hello if you see him, wrapped up against the cold, roller in hand painting a hull somewhere in the yard!

If you are on Instagram check out his page as well: james_stacey1
https://www.instagram.com/james_stacey1/?hl=en.  Some great action shots on there.

Breaking News from Morgan Marine!

Until now, Morgan Marine has been owned and run by the Morgan family for over 45 years. Owners Ric and Steve Morgan openly declared their intention to sell late last year and received no shortage of interest. However, they were very clear on the nature of buyer desired; “Having spent many years building the business to its current standing and responsible for employing over 15 staff as well as serving many loyal customers, we wanted to ensure that any potential new owners were looking to continue our legacy as well as move the business forwards. We are extremely pleased to introduce the Miller family as new owners of Morgan Marine”.

Graham Miller and his son Oliver have not only been keen boaters for many years but bring sound business acumen, a very high-level of technical ability, and apioneering-vigour crafted from Formula One racing. Graham has spent the last 20 years in a senior management position at Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, the formidable five-times double-World Championship winning Formula One team. Prior to joining Morgan Marine in September last year, Oliver spent the last five years building Mercedes race cars to impeccable standards.

A controlled transition will take place from February 2019 and Ric, Steve and Gilly will continue to play a vital role in the business, albeit it on a reduced basis, for the foreseeable future. They are very much targeting a seamless transaction in the eyes of the customer.

“Oli and I have got to know Ric, Steve and Gilly really well over the past six-months as we worked together towards the end goal of sale and acquisition. We will build upon the solid foundations laid over many years, and continue to develop the business promoting sustainable future growth.

With our engineering and business background, we’ll pick the very best of certain motorsport discipline and technology and apply it to the boating environment. We are setting our sights on becoming a world class high-technology business that manifests itself in a number of different ways. In some ways, it will be hardware through the type of tooling employed. In other ways, it will be services and solutions delivered through optimised efficiency. Primarily, it will still be people with knowledge, skill and application.

Our top priority is to continue to serve our customers well, to implement the new marina proposal thereby embarking upon an exciting journey to develop the boatyard, its moorings, facilities and workshops. By continuing to invest in our agility and capability, we’ll build a platform for future success that will earn us the opportunity to remain, Best in Boating.” Graham Miller.

Customers past and present can now rest assured that with the Miller family at the helm Morgan Marine will be around for many, many years to come!

For further information, please contact:

Graham Miller 07801 673346

Oli Miller  07842 156840

Ric Morgan  07810 300018

Steve Morgan  07899 871849

Jeanneau debuted for the first time the all new Merry Fisher 895 Marlin at the Paris Boat Show earlier this December.

With her clever combination of design features, for security, ergonomics and true comfort on board, both inside and out, this Merry Fisher 895 Marlin meets the most demanding of criteria. From fishing with friends, to exploring new coves or just lazing about on the water, the possibilities are endless!

With her contemporary design and distinctive personality, the new Merry Fisher 895 Marlin is ideal for taking on any adventure!

A true SUV of the seas, this new crossover features an innovative layout on board offering two cabins with 4/5 berths. The 28-foot V-shaped hull was designed to be stable and fast. Forwards, the Merry Fisher 895 Marlin has L-shaped saloon seating accessed by secured recessed side decks on the starboard side. There is easy access to the anchor and anchor locker.

Additional key features of this new model include side door access from the helm station to the starboard side deck. There is a side access gate for safe boarding, which has proved very popular on the recently launched Merry Fisher 1095. The flush aft swim platforms are easily accessible. The sliding aft bench seat with a high back can move forward allowing for the engines to be raised. The entire interior is a complete redesign on the Merry Fisher 895 Marlin

The salon has a large opening sunroof allowing for lots of natural light. The galley offers lots of storage compartments while the salon table is convertible into another berth for guests. The bench seating at the salon table can be adjusted to face forward while underway. Down below, the Merry Fisher 895 Marlin has two double cabins and a separate shower and head compartment.

This new boat is bound to prove very popular with UK buyers offering great versatility with style, speed and comfort in equal measure.

Call Morgan Marine now for further details and availability!