Deep into the bitter cold night of January 3rd, 1961, a new and unsung player in the sport of ocean-racing was launched into the waters of Clearwater Bay Florida. The event occurred without the usual fanfare attendant to such occasions although her owner, designer, builder and workers, together with a few well-wishers witnessed the birth of the new aspirant.

A proper christening was one tradition carried out as the new 40 ft. ocean-racing yawl slid into the element on whose bosom she would float for the next 49 years. The words, “I christen thee, PAPER TIGER, and may good luck and safe passage follow all who sail aboard you”, rang out as Charlene Powell; wife of the owner Jack L. Powell cracked a bottle of champagne on her bow. 31-year-old Charley Morgan breathed a sigh of relief noting his first design floated properly in her element.

In bitter cold the following morning, spars and rigging were fitted to the tune of an old sea chantey, sung acappella by the famous, ageing, Bay Area sailor, Ted Kamensky. Quickly thereafter, with new sails bent PAPER TIGER’S un-tried crew tested her wings in a strong Nor’wester with her performance giving hint to racing successes to come in winning the 196I and 1962 Southern Ocean Racing Circuits.

And, succeed PAPER TIGER did at 40’ overall, with a “chubby” beam of 11.75’, a modest 4.5’draft, a high aspect ratio center board, yawl rig/sail plan, many unique design elements and features plus, a carefully crafted handicap rating. Taken altogether, these factors helped the little “upstart” Yawl with crew from Florida’s Gulf Coast, push forward benchmarks set earlier by famous Cruising Club of America ocean racers such as “Hoot Mon”, “Comanche, “Finnistere”, “Robin” and others.

Many core design features of “Paper Tiger” later formed concepts Charley Morgan, together with Bruce Bidwell, his fellow “wharf-rat” sailing pal from grammar school, incorporated into yachts produced by St. Petersburg based, Morgan Yacht Corporation founded by two child-hood chums nearly fifty years ago.


But, the “Legend of the Paper Tiger” and why it became chosen for the name of one of ocean racing’s legends? Fact is, it came from an ancient Chinese tale oft told to Chinese children who were badly frightened by the large Paper Tigers passing by in street parades goes like this …

“Children do not be afraid, --- it is only a Paper Tiger and when the wind blows the Paper Tiger will blow away”!
 

Good luck to all,

Charley Morgan