Moody or Beneteau? - Episode 122 - Lady K Sailing

Is a Moody Sailboat better than Beneteau sailboat?
Photo Credit:

[michelpare]

4 years ago we buy a Moody 376 1987 and we love that boat. It is a tank, of course it is heavier than other sails boats which have the same size and a little bit less faster, but in an heavy wind, it is an other thing, we really feel in security in our Moody and it’s pretty obvious that it’s a very strong sailboat. We have no regrets to having buy this sailboat

[ajkgordon]

I sailed a brand new Moody 41 as delivery crew in 1983 from Gosport to Gran Canaria. Beautifully made boat and very seaworthy. We had one major problem in that the yard hadn't swung the compass properly and it was reading 4-5 degrees to starboard. We kept creeping too far to port down the coast of Europe. Thankfully the skipper owner was a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and it was arranged for a Portuguese warship to help us accurately adjust the compass offshore from Lisbon. That was quite the experience!

[ianscott]

Moody were at Swanick on the river Hamble in the south of England, the heart of the English sailing world. I have sailed several 70s and 80s Moody's. Angus Primrose the Bill Dixon were two of the designers They were one of the first to concentrate on centre cockpit cruisers. We used to say that Thornycoft engines make good mooring weights.

[CheersWarren]

Hi Tim, I grew up in UK when the fiberglass Moody's were coming on the market, your right they were always the higher end models that you knew you had made it if you could afford one. But they did come with good performance and good accomidation compared to similiar size boats.( high freeboard and center cotpit was one way they achieved this). The huge completion at the time was Westerly Yachts who produced fair quality boat for the every man. And in smaller starter sizes. ( Westerly were like Catalina was in usa ) But until later both only made cruising boats. Most other manafacturers were selling cruiser racers which were often race boats for the first year or 2 and then came out in the cruising versions, racing was big in the U.K(IOR etc). Many did not make the transition very well into cruisers, hence why the Moody's and Westerly lasted so much better.
One point you missed was Moody did not make their own hulls, they had the fiberglass work done by company called Marine Project ( in Plymouth if I remember right) this was the same place that made the Princess line of power boats you mentioned, and for other yacht companies. Halmatic was one of the other long term fiberglass manafacturers along with Tyler's, that like Marine projects, built hulls under contract to all comes. ( like IP in us subbed out their hulls).
The 70-80 Moody's were certainly built for the northern climates, where getting caught in a blow was part of life. Caribbean cruising was not how they were sold. Hence why they did not target the us market.
Thanks for reminding about Moody's, today they are amazing and different boats with the Hanese influence.
Cheers Warren

[chetturner]

I've owned a Moody 34 since 1985. I crossed the Atlantic, cruised the Virgins and multiple cruises in the Bahamas . Lived in Annapolis and sailed the Chesapeake. Now based in New England, I have converted her to all electric propulsion!! I got rid of the Thornycroft after only two years!! Very little maintenance required in all these decades

[Johnsouthshore]

Talking about the fiberglass revolution.. I can remember seeing my 1st one.. I was sailing North..in my old wooden Snipe (hull #9186).. and coming South was a day sailor..in fiberglass.. I will never forget it.. I was so jealous. That was about 1961 or so.

[phildavey]

I have a 91 376. She still has the original Thornycroft T80D. I cant complain, she doesnt hardly drink oil. Always starts. Just a touch noisy. Boat is great! Id go anywhere in her...

[jetwind]

Finally, a subjective view of Moody and an insightful one too. I have been looking at boats for over a year and educating myself on what boat to pull the trigger on. I fully retire in 28 months so I have a bit of time to do research. I have been looking at Beneteau, Catalina, and other production boats but the Moody 41 or 45 DS really cross many t's for me. It really is a cross between a catamaran and a monohull. They are not cheap but I would pay the extra bucks paying for the brand, hopefully, 2 years from now, there will be good options for me. Thanks for choosing this topic and always enjoy your knowledge of these boats.

[simon]

I've owned 2 Moody boats (both Dixon designed). They were both excellent, and way better than other boats available for similar money. Here's where I disagree with you regarding price - they are cheaper than what I view as their main rivals - Contests or any Swedish boats like Malo, Hallberg Rassy, Sweden Yachts, Najad, etc of a similar age. Some folk will prefer the Swedish boats for a particular reason, and they are all generally excellent, but you certainly pay for the brand name there. With Moody I think you get the quality but without such a premium. You're right that sometimes you have work to do to bring them back up to cruising spec, but that's the same with any boat of that era.

They are certainly not comparable to standard production boats like Beneteaus. Look at the rig specs, keel bolts, rudder type and stocks, hull layup, etc - Moody are as solid as it gets.

[MrAngusism]

I also love my moody. Best bang for the buck and a great single hander. There aren't many in America from my generation, ask me if you really want to know about the older Moody boats!

[WileyFox]

I worked at the Boatyard opposite Moody's on the River Hamble, The Elephant Boatyard where Nelsons ship HMS Elephant was built. A lovely place to work, the owner Tom served his his apprentiship there at Moodys as did a couple of the marine engineers. Always regret leaving The Elephant Yard and the River Hamble is lovely, check out the yard website and the Jolly Sailor pub next door, a pub you sail up to....

[AndyUK-Corrival]

I rebuilt a wooden boat in Moodys boatyard in 80’s/90’s. Swanwick is pronounced Swanick, the w in the middle is silent. I’m just looking at buying a 1971 Moody, built to Lloyds 100A1. They have a great following in the U.K. I used to skip dive in the yard as they used to throw so much teak and mahogany that was useless to them but gold to me. They had many of the GRP hulls moulded by Marcon Construction or Marine Projects in Plymouth. Happy days in the Marina there but now it’s lost it’s identity as just another Premier Marina. All the sheds and yard buildings have gone now sadly. Andy UK

[idahobackpacker]

I have a '98 Moody 46, sister ship to what's seen at 4:36-4:45. She's as well-built as any Oyster of similar vintage, and we absolutely love her. You'd be hard pressed to find a better interior at any price.

[muddyman]

Thanks for the video.
We have an Moody S38 from 1996, wich is located in the middle of Norway. The boat seems to be an steady and well build. We have owned it since feb 2022 and is quite happy with it. Now said that, there is a lot of work to be done, upgrades, service and so on. I have never been a sailboat enthusiast and don´t know much about sailing, but my wife was and has some experience. Powerboats has always been my first choice. I must emitt that seing the boat moves when the sail is up is fasinating. Our max speed with sail has been nearly 10 knots, which was awsome. We are the owner #4. I am dreaming of one day sailing her international, and of course down to the blue waters.

[daviddecker]

Good job with summary. I didn't know that they were around before oyster. So I've learned to give them more historical credit where it is due.

[kevinlockwood]

As an owner of a 2015 41ac Moody very interested in your comments . For those interested in Moody history there is a book called The Moody Legacy by David Moody. We bought ours as while now built by Hanse (albeit in separate sheds) they sit at a mid price point between the more mass market brands and the Hallberg/Arcona/xboat Nordic offerings . If looking for another make to review /consider a Southerly/Discovery 42 or larger would be on my list for the lifting keel and build quality . The DS versions would be great for Med living but again at a seriously higher price point. If looking at sub 100k then a newer 36 or 38 (has extra heads) or the S versions if you want a newer aft cockpit . The sail area on the 41ac is good and self tacker and power winches with German main sheet make for easy single handed sailing if not berthing where drop down bow thruster assists. Keep on with making the reviews as always educational.

[dennisingram]

One brand I've never heard you mention is Tartan. I actually worked for Tartan in the late 70's on the 37' line. They are in my opinion at least a middle to upper quality sailboat as they seem to hold their value well. What's the chances in you showing a little love and do a video on Tartan? Actually a video on how many different cruising boats are out there or are still being built today. You're doing a great job, very informative. Any chance you're going back out cruising? Thanks, Dennis

[clewerhillroad]

sailed a '87 Moody 425 for 20+ years. Awesome yacht I think our's was the 2nd production boat ...so built like a battleship. Comfortable easy to sail and you could probably pick one up for about $100, 000ish.

[stevelambert]

Thanks Tim always learn something watching you

[CheersWarren]

Hi Tim,
I'm surprised to hear you lump Jeaneau and beneateau together.
For 100 years they were separate companies.
Older Jeaneau are I think superior as they are all 'stick built' without internal liners . Much easer to maintain and rebuild or modernize. .
Older beneateau embraced the internal moldings etc much earlier and were higher production boats, Prehaps not such good candidates for an older cruiser rebuild, but more available.
Yes the French government made them join up some years ago .
Cheers Warren