3 sources · updated 20 Oct 2026
Born in Eastbourne in November 1946, Phil Morrison drew his first racing dinghy, a National 12 called China Doll, in 1967. Trained in naval architecture at Southampton, he worked for Sea-Sure and then started a sail loft in the 1970s.
He designed many Merlin Rockets, International 14s and one-designs (Laser 5000, RS200, RS400, RS800, a reworked Wayfarer). In the 1980s he designed the trimaran Exmouth Challenge, which became Yvon Fauconnier's Umupro Jardin V, winner of the 1984 OSTAR, and whose large floats inspired the future VPLP designers.
He also joined British America's Cup challenge design teams and designed ocean rowing boats. His son Stevie Morrison is an international sailor.