The Morgan Giles Register Monaco Class

In the late 1950’s the work from the Admiralty declined. A replacement was needed and it was the brainchild of Michael Morgan-Giles that created the Monaco Cruiser. In his words; a quality product was needed which could be built at prices the rich were prepared to pay and would capture the eye of the discerning.

Out of these early ideas the Monaco Cruisers were built in sizes from initially 24ft up to 52ft as time went on. To prove the worth of these craft a number were entered into the Cowes-Torquay Offshore Power Boat races between 1961 and 1963 driven by Michael and his colleague Cdr. Parsons. In every International Off-shore Power Boat Race in which a standard Monaco was entered, she finished in immaculate condition, having achieved a class trophy. In addition many of these boats were shown successfully at the International Boat Show at Earls Court. Even taking a 52 footer on a special cradle and trailer.

The boats were hard-chine planning hulls, skimmed with marine plywood and it was at Francis Morgan-Giles direction that all the frames should be laminated rock elm. The smaller models were powered with twin Perkins or Lister diesel engines and the larger models had Caterpillar diesels. The early boats were 35 and 36 foot overall length and there were 16 in all. There were seven 38 footers, three 43 footers, three 48 footers and six 52 footers.

The first to be built, after an enquiry at the Boat Show was ‘Corviglia’. This was a successful design but a new scheme was evolved with more beam and a raised foredeck and the Monaco was created. The first of these ‘Serangoon’ for a Mr Macey and later became ‘Bartibog’ owned by Lord Beaverbrook. Many of the subsequent Monaco’s were shipped to the South of France and Italy where there was a flourishing market.

'The Monaco Magnet Fast Speedcruiser was built in 1963 at the Morgan Giles Wharf in Teignmouth Devon and showed at the London Boat Show that year.

His Sistership was competing in the Powerboat Offshore Race Cowes/Torquay also in 1963.

This Beauty also won the Concours d'Elegance in Plymouth that year.

The restoration took 10 years and more than 12.000 hours.'

Jos Moorman