HERITAGE

In the early 1960's Charley became intrigued with the development of the 12 Meter class. Through his close friendship with master 12 Meter designer Olin Stephens, Charley became a crew member on the12 Meter contender Columbia, during elimination trials in Newport RI.

In 1968 Charley drew the lines of HIS 12 Meter. After conducting hours of test tank testing, he made the decision to build, and sail to Newport to participate in the trials for the 1970 America's cup races. This became a huge challenge - to build a large, perfect wooden boat in a fiberglass production plant. The beautiful varnished hull was finally precariously launched into Tampa Bay. and test sailed.

As the hull was too large to move over the road, Heritage was sailed by a small crew up the East coast to Newport RI, which is a long dangerous voyage. Heritage was excused from the trials, after a hard and valiant Americas Cup series. An excellent 43 minute documentary "Duel In the Wind" was produced describing the races and is available for viewing online.

Charley Morgan is the only person to finance, design, build, make the sails, transport and sail a boat in the America's Cup Trials. We are preparing for posting a picture album with stories about the design, construction, campaign and after life of HERITAGE including her hull lines, test tank photos all with commentary ....... today is 9-9-2010 ... ed.



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