l2 US 23 Heritage
1970 America’s Cup Contender and Ocean Racing Champion
Year Built: 1970
Yacht Designer: Charley Morgan
Yacht Builder: Morgan Yachts, St. Petersburg, FL
Syndicate: Charley Morgan
Charley Morgan was the skipper of Heritage. He was also her designer, builder and sailmaker. Launching from his boatyard in St. Petersburg Florida, he sailed her up the East Coast to Newport, RI for the 1970 America’s Cup Trials. Heritage sailed a close campaign but was ultimately eliminated by Intrepid in the Defender’s series. Heritage’s 1970 ‘Cup campaign was only the “first act” before hitting her stride as an offshore racer.
After modifications for ocean racing including the addition of an auxiliary engine, galley and pipe berths, Heritage really made a name for herself on the Great Lakes racing circuit with back-to-back wins of the Chicago to Mackinac Race in 1983 and 1984. In addition to the Great Lakes, Heritage also won Antigua Race Week. In the late ‘80s, she sailed to California via the Panama Canal. Once out west, she stepped a masthead rig and installed a new keel and rudder. In 1990 Heritage returned by truck to New England, initially based out of Marblehead, MA, before joining the fleet of America’s Cup Charters in Newport, RI.
With her eye catching varnished Sitka Spruce hull, and a 3/4 fractional 12 Meter rig back onboard, Heritage again looks and sails like a champion, having won the prestigious Opera House Cup three times. Come to Newport and sail her yourself. You can always charter stablemate Intrepid as well and re-enact the 1970’s America’s Cup Defense trial