Moody 44 - Blue Water Capable?

Three kings

Three kings

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Am considering a Moody 44 for a transatlantic. She ticks most of the boxes in terms of layout, size etc apart from tankage which is a concern. I favour the more traditional long keeler types and comfort at sea but the boss likes the Moody's space.

I know I will have to spec her out for the trip and change some kit but does anyone have an opinion on the Moody's credentials as a blue water yacht
 
Folk sail all sorts of boats to all sorts of places- I suspect it isn't what you sail but how you sail it...

BTW- why do you need something so big and roomy? Are a lot of you going?
 
uxb said:
Folk sail all sorts of boats to all sorts of places- I suspect it isn't what you sail but how you sail it...

BTW- why do you need something so big and roomy? Are a lot of you going?
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The Boss and I, our two kids and the dog. I can survive in a shoebox but she likes a bit of space. I'm aware people have done it in smaller but why suffer?
 
Abso-blooming-lutely. Very capable, and I would say a good choice too.

Don't let people talk you into a smaller boat. Anchoring is free whatever you have, so go for the space and comfort.
 
Three kings said:
Am considering a Moody 44 for a transatlantic. She ticks most of the boxes in terms of layout, size etc apart from tankage which is a concern. I favour the more traditional long keeler types and comfort at sea but the boss likes the Moody's space.

I know I will have to spec her out for the trip and change some kit but does anyone have an opinion on the Moody's credentials as a blue water yacht
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we had a Moody 44, I would have been very pleased to go blue water in her, if the reality of life hadnt got in the way. No doubts at all.

Tanks are pretty big for the boat's length, if I recall correctly.
 
Thanks for the encouraging replies. Based on an examination of the boat specs and trawling the internet for information, my gut feel is that she is a more than capable yacht. It is always nice though to tap into the collective knowledge on this forum and particularly get current and ex owners views.
 
As an ex M44 owner I concur. We had the schoal draft version and had no problem in Biscay or creek crawling around the Thames. Go for it.
 
Reality is its what suites you best.
Personally thing the word blue water is a misnomer so long as boat is seaworthy and properly equipped.
Regularly park my car under the bow of Martin Lawrences old boat Thomasina and last owner wandered the west Indies in it and its not that big methinks.
 
The reality is if you are going blue water cruising you will have a lot of stuff, so you really don't want a small boat or you won't enjoy it. I am sure you are right that a long keeler like an Island Packet would have a better motion, but the Moody is a perfectly capable boat.
 
MoodyNick said:
we had a Moody 44, I would have been very pleased to go blue water in her, if the reality of life hadnt got in the way. No doubts at all.

Tanks are pretty big for the boat's length, if I recall correctly.
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....and I sold it for him. :) Very capable, spacious yacht.

I did it in a Moody 38 with two kids. (Shoal draft too, so we could do the USA ICW and Bahamas.)

That Dixon designed range are very good. Go for it.
 
well I don't know about a Moody 44 but this little boat has done several tens of thousands of miles around the worlds oceans.

Plywood too, none of your grp, 27 ft and built in 1958

DSCF1018.jpg
 
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Tankage

We've just crossed in a boat with low tankage; we just took 1.5 litre bottlEs of water, stowed em everywhere, haad 1 each a day to drink (on top of tank water for cooking/washing/tea n coffee)- had plenty left over and we will do this again when crossing the Pacific. Btw love my boat but would also love a Moody 44 (had a 33 before)
 
In my opinion 500 litres of water and 300-odd of fuel is ok for a boat that size.

Beware the fact that tanks may be galvanized steel - may be a ticking time bomb. A good survey will be a must (but isn't it always).
 
Seven Spades said:
The reality is if you are going blue water cruising you will have a lot of stuff, so you really don't want a small boat or you won't enjoy it. QUOTE]

Our thoughts exactly. I know it is perfectly feasible to undertake ocean passages in smaller boats, as long as they are seaworthy, but the extra size and displacement is useful to carry the extra few tons of 'stuff' normally found on a family cruising boat.

Thanks to all for the encouraging comments so far.
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Three kings said:
Am considering a Moody 44 for a transatlantic. She ticks most of the boxes in terms of layout, size etc apart from tankage which is a concern. I favour the more traditional long keeler types and comfort at sea but the boss likes the Moody's space.

I know I will have to spec her out for the trip and change some kit but does anyone have an opinion on the Moody's credentials as a blue water yacht
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Yes!

Regarding tankage, do not trust these on an ocean crossing.
They can leak, empty without you being aware & get contaminated. Make sure you you have a back-up supply for drinking, preferably in smaller plastic bottles (1.5l been suggested in an earlier post).

Also get into a routine of switching your fresh water pump off when not in use, to monitor usage/prevent leakage & perhaps fit a salt water manual pump for cleaning stuff. A manual freshwater pump also essential, should your electrics fail (full main tanks & no way to access contents is not a happy prospect).

Also suggest putting any waste/soiled toilet paper in a bag & not flushing down heads - you don't want to start cleaning up or using buckets mid ocean.
 
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