Alternatives to a moody 34?

[steve yates]

Jo has seen a moody 346 and decided that it should be the "forever" boat eventually after our longbow ketch. It is certainly very impressive looking for layout and space below for a liveaboard, and all in a much shorter hull length than she thought we would need originally, which makes everything cheaper, both the purchase, upgrading, maintenance and using the boat. I have to admit I'm quietly impressed whenever I look at one online. They are generally asking price around 25-30k

What else should we consider that might be comparable when the time comes, that gives us a good seaboat with a good owners cabin, galley by the companionway and not too big, say up to 36 ft? Primary use is med cruising, tho I also want to be able to take it to high latitudes and across the atlantic, so not asking much

The budget can go up, but the value against a 30k 346 would be looked at quite hard,as I'd rather spend it on an extra few years of cruising beers than pour it into a boat .

 

[ridgy]

There's a tidy one on Facebook ready to go

Yachts & Yachty bits for sale (Europe)

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Westerly Discus
Biscay 36
Saltram Saga 36 if you could find one
Tradewind 35
Or if you really want a good boat a Vancouver 34C

 

[cherod]

Westerly Discus
Biscay 36
Saltram Saga 36 if you could find one
Tradewind 35
Or if you really want a good boat a Vancouver 34C

there was a lovely Vancouver Pilot passing throo our local marina the other day ,, much much nicer boat than a Moody

 

[Fr J Hackett]

there was a lovely Vancouver Pilot passing throo our local marina the other day ,, much much nicer boat than a Moody

I prefer the V34C to the V34P but recognise the advantages of a pilot house but think 34 foot is to small to really get the true advantages and certainly not the aesthetics . Quite a few V34Ps have made significant voyages.

 

[E39mad]

Southerly 105 or early 115 would fit the bill - both have good aft cabins and a great pilot house galley by the companionway steps.

Westerly Corsair

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Southerly 105 or early 115 would fit the bill - both have good aft cabins and a great pilot house galley by the companionway steps.

Westerly Corsair

The Corsair was perhaps the best boat that Westerly made and the last wasn't it.

 

[E39mad]

The Corsair was perhaps the best boat that Westerly made and the last wasn't it.

Certainly has better proportions that the slightly smaller Seahawk. I think they were built from around 1983/4 onwards so unless they renamed it the Ocean something under a re-badge then I don't think it was one of the last designs they produced.

 

[Graham376]

We had a 346 before the 376, wouldn't change back, more room in 37/376 with twin heads plus full standing headroom at the galley whereas the 34/346 hasn't unless you're very short. Better all round boat and 37s not much more money than 34s.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Certainly has better proportions that the slightly smaller Seahawk. I think they were built from around 1983/4 onwards so unless they renamed it the Ocean something under a re-badge then I don't think it was one of the last designs they produced.

I knew someone that'd one and had to have it fitted out after Westerly had gone bump on one of the several occasions.

 

[pvb]

The Corsair was perhaps the best boat that Westerly made and the last wasn't it.

Yes, the Corsair was pretty good. I bought a new one in 1986 and kept it for 5 or 6 years. I had a trial sail in a new Seahawk previously, and hated it, especially the feeling of being perched on top in the cockpit, and the long ladder down in to the cellar. Should be able to get a Corsair now for under the OP's £30K budget.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Yes, the Corsair was pretty good. I bought a new one in 1986 and kept it for 5 or 6 years. I had a trial sail in a new Seahawk previously, and hated it, especially the feeling of being perched on top in the cockpit, and the long ladder down in to the cellar. Should be able to get a Corsair now for under the OP's £30K budget.

I sailed a Seahawk that a group of guys I knew chartered and were doing their yacht master theory and needed someone to act as the skipper. We christened it the Shitehawk a brick would have sailed and pointed better.

 

[ashtead]

You might find well priced 376 moody in levkas or such like if the Med is beckoning. Some blogs around Greece and Italy on the376 BTW .

 

[Bajansailor]

You could perhaps also consider a Colvic Countess 33?
Countess 33 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales

Or a 35?
Colvic Countess 35 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales

In case you have not seen this Moody 346 on Yachtsnet -
Moody 346 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales

Or a Nab / Hallberg Rassy 35?
Nab 35 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales

 

[geem]

Friends have just sailed their Moody 34 on an an Atlantic circuit. Their comments were that it was a great boat for sailing UK waters but it is no bluewater boat. They have tiny tankage particularly water capacity. The galley is terrible. You cant stand up to use the sink. The back cabin is great though for a 34ft boat.

 

[E39mad]

A Warrior 38 is almost in your price bracket. No aft cabin but a much better suited design for long term live-aboard and extended passage making.

1987 Trident Warrior 38 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale -

 

[Cspirit]

I have a Corsair, currently in Greece and coming back soon. It’s a fantastic boat which I would happily sail around the world, as others have done. Comfortable aft cabin with en-suite, spacious saloon, good chart table, etc and, more importantly, very safe and comfortable at sea. I would have sold her but to be frank, the price I would get is so low that it’s not worth selling, and yet she has a new engine, rig, etc. There are several Corsairs around at very low prices - I would recommend that you take a look.

 

[jwilson]

Jo has seen a moody 346 and decided that it should be the "forever" boat eventually after our longbow ketch. It is certainly very impressive looking for layout and space below for a liveaboard, and all in a much shorter hull length than she thought we would need originally, which makes everything cheaper, both the purchase, upgrading, maintenance and using the boat. I have to admit I'm quietly impressed whenever I look at one online. They are generally asking price around 25-30k

What else should we consider that might be comparable when the time comes, that gives us a good seaboat with a good owners cabin, galley by the companionway and not too big, say up to 36 ft? Primary use is med cruising, tho I also want to be able to take it to high latitudes and across the atlantic, so not asking much

The budget can go up, but the value against a 30k 346 would be looked at quite hard,as I'd rather spend it on an extra few years of cruising beers than pour it into a boat .

The trouble with the Bill Dixon era Moody 34/346/36s is that the aft cabin "sells" the boat - I like them too. All are very competent UK-based family cruisers, though I find the ones I've sailed slightly lacking in "feel" to the helm, and not the sharpest performer, though perfectly adequate.

The usual alternative to a Moody 34/346/36 is a Westerly 35 or 36-footer, several variants. Their centre cockpits are higher up, feels a bit like riding an elephant, but it gives more headroom below than the Moodys.

Those who suggest Biscay or Saga or Tradewind as alternatives are comparing apples to oranges. All these are clearly better for high latitude sailing, or coping with really bad weather anywhere, but interiors no way the quite spacious match of the Moodys or Westerlys. In truth unless you have a very big budget it's difficult to find a boat ideal both for the Med and the far north or Southern Ocean.

 

[Kelpie]

Have you actually viewed the 346 in the flesh? We were distinctly disappointed when we saw one. The galley and stowage especially seemed poor. The 376 is a different beast, although personally I still find the stowage lacking. But it depends how long you are planning on being aboard.
We ended up with an older Primrose Moody. Fantastic value, maybe a bit old fashioned in some ways, especially the way they look. I haven't viewed the 36ft version but surely worth a look. We have the 39, paid not much more than a 346 would have cost but the difference is incredible. Proper 'forever boat', it's more comfortable than our house

 

[steve yates]

I haven't Kelpie, no. I'd be very interested to do so now. Couldn't find a 39, but some 35's and 37's looked quite good. The 36 seems to sell for more than most of the rest of them!