Morgan Marine Boatyards - full of history!

Posted on: 11th October 2018

Over the years, we get many varied and interesting boats into the yard for winter overhauls, or longer, for restoration. Some have great historical significance and are full of history often dating back to well over a century. Maria, a beautiful fishing smack, is just such a boat. Built by Harris Bros at Rowhedge, in 1866 for a Mr Gunn of Wivenhoe, she had a reputation for speed, primarily because she was narrower than the other smacks. This reputation gave her a charmed life. She has been abandoned twice to become a near-rotten hulk and she has been saved both times over the years. After 152 years’ she now lives in Brightlingsea, on the River Colne, this time with a very long career ahead of her, sailing and racing successfully in her home waters around the Thames Estuary.

She will be in the Morgan Marine yard until May, having a full re-paint, spars out and re-fit.

Interestingly, anyone can experience what it’s like to sail aboard Maria as she is owned by the Tall Ships Restoration Company, of which Paul Winter is a director, and will be available for charter work out of Brightlingsea at very reasonable rates- A day aboard will be like a step back in time, to the days of the Essex Smacksmen when in the early part of the 20th century, the year round battle of fishing and dredging for oysters was only broken crewing on the big racing yachts berthed around Brightlingsea during the summer months. Look at this clip to give you an idea! https://youtu.be/8doyGCt4RbY

Maria has her own website, a fantastic source of her history, up to date news, race results, blog and how to get on board! It really is a fascinating read. Please do take a look: http://ck21maria.co.uk

If you would like more information on our yard rates for storage, or to work on your own boat, please call Ric or Steve Morgan at Morgan Marine on 01206 302008. All yards are secured every evening and we have 24hr CCTV. There is also a toilet and shower block on site as well as ample parking.

Our Customers Say:

Thought I’d send you a note to say how pleased I am with the MF 1095 and all the systems that you’ve put in. The boat has done 20 hours and the engines will be serviced shortly. There have been no issues arising and all systems function properly.

Can I take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time helping me with this. It is refreshing to work with you and your organisation and receive great customer service along with outstanding attention to detail. Normally I just get stock answers because I am asking technical questions which would involve doing some work.

Just to thank you all for a very efficient and professional service. Thank you for delivering our boat to the Norfolk Broads and sorting out our bow thruster.

I love an “anything can be done” attitude! Wish you & your team were closer to Poole

Thank you for all your help and fantastic service

Harbour Master

Thank you for a great response on getting our boat out, assisting with repairs and re-launching.Your team is a credit to you - they made something difficult and problematic into something stress free.

Absolutely love the new boat - an absolute beauty. It's everything I hoped it would be and more 😎👍. Thanks very much for all your help in getting the deal over the line.

Just to confirm safe receipt of my new tender and to thank you and the team for efficiently getting everything sorted!I’m delighted with the new purchase and can not wait for the summer!I am sure we will do business again in the future.

It’s a pleasure doing business with you and I’m sure Morgan Marine will flourish with your genuine / honest approach to business.

I feel that I must say, that your never ending helpfulness, customer focus and down right hard work is very much appreciated

Thanks for all your help and the very nice work to the bow of the boat.

Thank you for the very efficient and professional service provided on the 16/3/2021 which included collection from mooring, hoist out power wash, lowering both masts and hoist on to a transporter. All done with the minimum of fuss by a very cheerful staff.

Our huge thanks to the Morgan Marine team - an amazing experience from start to finish - even the challenging delivery!

Many thanks to Morgan Marine for doing the right thing for the environment and wildlife. If only everyone would do the same.

Lovely to meet you and we would like to thank you very much for your time and expertise over the past couple of days. For us it was invaluable and certainly made the trip over very worthwhile.

Cheers for the work you guys did on my Dory. The engine runs lovely now - thanks!

Many thanks again for all for your hard work in brokering the deal and delivering the boat. All greatly appreciated. I hope restrictions ease quickly and you have a great summer.

Thanks for your continued efforts - the service and level of contact is not seen enough these days - you are the exception.

Thanks to all at Morgan Marine for your help over the last year or so. Your guidance, advice, service and support has been first class.

I'd just like to thank you for all your help over the last few years. You've always been very nice to deal with. I wish you the very best for the future.

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Morgan Marine Boatyards – full of history!

Our Customers Say: