The 24th Annual Morgan Invasion will begin May 8th and go until the 10th. It’s hosted this year by The St. Petersburg Yacht Club at Pass-A-Grille. A long time ago we owned a Morgan 24 and wanted to be a part of the invasion, but were never able to make it. Now, almost 10 years later, we’re Morgan owners again and we’re going! There’s a bit of weird Karma-irony that goes along with the Morgan Invasion. Here’s the brief tale.
Two years ago we moved from Palm Harbor to Gulfport. One day I learned that the 2008 Morgan Invasion was going to be held 3 miles from us – over in Treasure Island. My wife and I hopped in the car and headed over to check it out. When we arrived, the race had just ended and most of the Invasioners were eating. We walked the docks and amazingly, spotted our old Morgan 24. A fellow from Port Charlotte area had bought, restored and raced her in the Invasion. He won second place. After talking to him and a few others, we got the bigger boat bug and were told of a “real deal” on a neglected 1970 ish Morgan 32. The next day I called the owner and went to the see the boat. It was in very rough shape. I reluctantly offered him half of what he was asking – this boat almost needed to be given away, it was going to cost so much to bring it back. He turned me down, but the hunt was on.
After lots of time on www.yachtworld.com I found a prospect down in Sarasota – not a Morgan. The broker met us at the boat and we checked her out. It was o.k., had some suspicious chain plates and we said weren’t interested. Then he said “I have a nice 1980 Morgan 32 up in Madeira Beach”. We went to look at it, The Admiral loved it and now we’re going to the 2009 Morgan Invasion.
AND, of course the owner of the neglected, 1970 ish Morgan called me a few weeks later saying he would accept my offer. I hope that old boat found a good home.
