moody 34/35

dilly

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hi is there a lot of difference between the moody 34 and 35 and what would you be looking to pay for a mid 90s 356 and would you say the 35 is the right size to use for extended sailing liveaboard for 2 thanks david
 
Don't think there is a 356. 34, 346 are essentially the same boat except for the stern 35 replaced them and is a different design with. Bit more space. All equally suitable for your needs. Choice depends on budget and availability. Suggest you join the Moody Owners Association as good source of information and experiences of the different models.
 
I had a 346 and before I bought her I also looked at the 35. The main difference was instead of a large locker in the 346 the space was taken up in the 35 by a bigger heads. The 35 was to my idea a little more refined but the locker space was important to me. The 346 will be ideal for long term cruising for two depending on where you wish to go. The 346/35 demand high second hand prices and you are looking at £50 to £60 k I reckon for a mid to late eighties boat. My experience was that the 346 was a better sailor but that could have been down to the skipper!!!
 
There is a blog about a Moody 34 doing an Atlantic circuit. UK, Canaries, West Indies, USA, UK. Yacht name moorglade. Google will point you to the rather extensive blog.
 
I had a 346 and before I bought her I also looked at the 35. The main difference was instead of a large locker in the 346 the space was taken up in the 35 by a bigger heads. The 35 was to my idea a little more refined but the locker space was important to me. The 346 will be ideal for long term cruising for two depending on where you wish to go. The 346/35 demand high second hand prices and you are looking at £50 to £60 k I reckon for a mid to late eighties boat. My experience was that the 346 was a better sailor but that could have been down to the skipper!!!

Had a 346 and didn't like it, found it directionally unstable. Prices have dropped and 376s, much better cruising boats, can be had for the prices you quote above.
 
I confess to a bias as a Moody 35 owner. That said, it's a great boat! I agree with Tidclacy: the 35 is rather more 'refined' and a better layout below (IMHO) than the 346. Models built from around the middle of 1994, more so (detail changes to locker fronts etc.). The main drawback, as mentioned, is the lack of external locker space. There is one lazerette and that's not particularly large. A couple of rope lockers on the aft deck are handy and the anchor locker holds some kit. This is probably why many 35s have fender baskets...

Stowage below is adequate (particularly for two). Mind you, I do wish Moodys had either filled the space under the saloon berths or left a decent amount of space: the tanks seem to leave too much unusable space round them.

Decent sized chart table; I've split the backrest cushion to give more room to sit at it. The galley is really generous - plenty of worktop, two sinks, and a good sized fridge. Good sized heads and shower. Aft cabin was always a good selling point and still a nice feature. An island berth would be even better, but hey ho. Engine access is not bad apart from the port side and front.

I don't have a lot to compare with in terms of sailing ability, but it's certainly quick enough for us. Easy to handle, points well and very stiff.

I don't see why it won't make a good live aboard boat - plenty of people do and we certainly plan to. As far as price is concerned, it's a bit academic as they don't come up for sale too often! £55-60k should get you something decent (not mine though!). In comparison, the model that replaced it (the 36) will cost a good £30k more. Makes the 35 look like a bargain!
 
Had a 346 and didn't like it, found it directionally unstable. Prices have dropped and 376s, much better cruising boats, can be had for the prices you quote above.

I crewed on a fin keel 346 belonging to a forumite of this parish who may make an appearance here :-) On one memorable night we sailed across to Cherbourg from the Solent in a fresh NNWly and quite big Seas. Cant remember having any problems steering a reasonably straight line.Certainly never broached or gybed on me .I really liked that boat.
 
I crewed on a fin keel 346 belonging to a forumite of this parish who may make an appearance here :-) On one memorable night we sailed across to Cherbourg from the Solent in a fresh NNWly and quite big Seas. Cant remember having any problems steering a reasonably straight line.Certainly never broached or gybed on me .I really liked that boat.

Hand steering wasn't too much of a problem as you can feel what's happening but the autohelm inboard pilot had trouble coping. A slight increase in wind speed and the boat would tuck up quicker than the pilot could cope and, when the wind dropped again it would be off the other way. Looking at the wake, it was more often than not a lazy S. Reading the YM or PBO used boat test on the 346, it said something along the lines of "the boat would change direction for no apparent reason" so, it wasn't my imagination.

We have the same model of inboard pilot on the 376, an Autohelm 5000 and it steers as if on rails, even in big following seas.
 
My Coronado is the same, hand steering is easy in all conditions but it never settles down on the Autohelm .
 
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