Moody 35 or Hallberg Rassy 36 (both 1991)

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lrlloyd

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We’re looking at buying a boat to cruise the UK and med on with the potential to cross the Atlantic next year.
We are looking at a moody 35 and a Hallberg Rassy 36 - both 1991. Is the Hallberg Rassy worth the extra 20k?
Thanks!
 
Welcome to the forums!

Yes, I reckon the HR36 is worth the extra. You'll find it's better built in many ways, and will look after you well wherever you sail. Importantly, it should still retain its value fairly well when you come to sell it if you take good care of it. As a former HR352 owner, I can tell you that there's a huge pride of ownership which manifests itself in a real camaraderie amongst owners. Of course, HR are still very much in business, and they offer a brilliant spare parts service.

However, HR yachts usually have teak decks and, at 28 years old, they will most probably need attention or even replacement. This is expensive and you should get accurate quotes and factor the costs into any offer you make.

The only 1991 Moody 35 I can see quickly on the internet is in Greece and it has bilge keels, which I don't think is ideal for your plans.
 
The HR 36 is one of the most seaworthy boats of its size and generation. I'm not generally in favour of centre cockpits but the 36 one is as low down and snug as it could be. The simple masthead rig is also practical, and although no racer, the 36 cruises well. One of them was delivered to the Hamble while we were with the agents and I met the crew. They had encountered F9s in the North Sea on the way, and although they had to put the owner ashore as he couldn't cope, they had no worries. I can't think of another boat of this size that I would trust more. A '91 boat probably has the 'classic' stern, which may even be preferable.
 
Thanks both. Sounds as though it's two votes for the HR then. Buying a boat for the first time is a bit daunting and it's good to know the forum offers support!
 
We had a Moody for 9 years and now own a Hallberg Rassy. The Moody 35 offers a good balance between accommodation and sailing performance, probably a better bet than the later Moody 36. The Rassy is much stiffer and will plough on in heavy weather when the Moody is rounding up.
 
I currently own a small Moody but a few years ago before we bought our Finngulf I explored the option of a HR. I took a good detailed look at a few of them and concluded that the 'quality' image to justify the high price was an illusion based on clever marketing. I was particularly impressed by the UK importers sincere confidence that he was offering value, when, compared to the boat that we did purchase, HR was inferior in design, construction, detailing and equipment specification. What HR always did have was hype that influenced the resale value.
Now I would not pretend that Moodys are comparable with Finngulf but would suggest that anyone comparing a Moody with an HR gets inside and has a really good look at the way they were put together. Of course quality construction is not everything and toward the end Moody, like HR at the time, did lag a bit designwise with iron keels, low aspect rudders and stiff rigs when most had moved on but they were getting the building and finishing right. The Moody reputatation was tarnished when the name was purchased by Hanse but nowadays I am convinced that they were better than they got credit for, it was all very well to be loyal to one design office but not if that designer is stuck in a rut.
 
lrlloyd said:
Thanks both. Sounds as though it's two votes for the HR then. Buying a boat for the first time is a bit daunting and it's good to know the forum offers support!
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If you do get the HR, do join the HR association, wherever you are. As well as the usual social stuff, there are active forums for technical and other matters as well as some discounts. Here is the welcome page: http://www.hroa.co.uk/about.aspx
 
I haven't sailed either boat so know nothing about performance differences. For northern climate, teak decks are OK but not a go-to option for those sailing in hot climates and they cost eye watering amount to replace when time expired. We looked at a 352 some years ago with a few loose planks down the port deck and quote was £8000 for removing and re-laying existing.
 
You are spending a lot more than I would on a boat if the HR is £75k. But my firm advice is buy whichever one does not have a teak deck. Even if in your 5+ years of ownership the deck doesn't cost a lot to maintain, by the time you come to sell it will factor very high in any purchaser's consideration of the value.
Andrew
 
lrlloyd said:
Thanks for the reply and your insight on this.
It would need teak deck care (few sleepless nights about this!) and we will factor that in to the offer.
This is the moody:
https://www.watersideboatsales.com/boats-for-sale/1991-moody-35-cc-gosport-hampshire-6898193/

Thanks!
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Well, looking at the Moody, it has its limitations for what you want to do. The engine is old, probably original, and will need tender loving care. The sails and canvas are OK, middle-aged. The anchor is an ancient design and the windlass may be original although maybe not used much (they tend to die of corrosion rather than usage). Electronics look OK. Rig OK. No reason not to take her to the Med, though you probably would want a Bimini for shade. Then you will need to consider whether you have enough power from 80w of solar for the fridge.

Further on though, you have a lot to think through about crossing the Atlantic in that boat. The autopilot is electric, probably quite new, but power hungry. Hand steering for 1000s of nm is not fun.

The tanks aren't large: a water-maker needs power too.

Also, are any of the berths suited to the motion of a mono-hull going downwind for many 100s of miles with constant rolling?

I'm not seeking to diminish your plans, just to expand their detail maybe?
 
I have been sailing a 1990 42 ft Moody for the last 11 years. Currently, we are on the hard having done an extensive refit, prior to doing some blue water cruising.

I have been delighted by the experience of being a Moody owner, she has proved to be a tough, durable, well mannered, well balanced sea kindly, practical liveaboard boat, that is a pleasure to sail. We have cruised thousands of miles.

We have an active and helpful Moody Owners Association - who incidentally have a forum for any prospective buyers.

I looked at HR but the internal layouts didn't suit our requirements. I have nothing critical to say about HR or any other marque. I would never, never buy a teak decked boat for cruising in hot climes for the reasons of cost already described and also because they get so hot. That said they look really nice!!

Whatever you-you buy I recommend that you set aside at least 20% of your purchase price for remedial work because most boats are sold with a "maintenance debt" such as the need for new sails, new rigging, new electonics and so on.

Sailors on this forum have a tendency to become evangelical about their favourite boats and you should bear that in mind (my comments about Moody included). When you have found a boat you want to buy, find a good surveyor and listen very carefully to what he has to say. The Moody we bought was our fourth boat, I thought I was being hard nosed and objective but in retrospect I cannot believe what I missed when viewing the boat prior to purchase. That said I have no regrets....just less money.
 
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lrlloyd said:
We’re looking at buying a boat to cruise the UK and med on with the potential to cross the Atlantic next year.
We are looking at a moody 35 and a Hallberg Rassy 36 - both 1991. Is the Hallberg Rassy worth the extra 20k?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Going back to the original post, why are you not looking at larger boats, whatever the make/model? We had a Moody 346 for some years, very similar to the 35 in may ways but have found the 376 to be a far better boat both in accommodation and comfort it nasty conditions. Also just below the 12m marina price break. Price wise very good value for money, even allowing for updating and (as they say on TV) there are other makes and models available at similar size and price.

P.S. Good cruising boats can be had for a similar price to the cost of a new teak deck on a HR:)
 
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Some experienced members from our club did an Atlantic delivery on a 376 some years ago and found its high volume hull very uncomfortable at sea.
 
Silver-Fox's comment about 'Maintenance Debt' is probably the most sensible advice I've seen written about used boats. Yachts are complex entities operating in a harsh environment and require ongoing maintenance. I believe many boats are sold by owners who just don't want to invest more time and money in them. That said, occasionally, very occasionally, real gems appear. Practically every used yacht can be stepped aboard and sailed off.... for a short distance and time period!
 
i dont mean to go completely off piste but if your intention is eventually to go transatlantic i would look for a boat slightly bigger and would suggest that a slightly older moody say the mid 80s 419 was an excellent sailing boat with a good combination of sailing ability and comfort .
 
Bitterend said:
Silver-Fox's comment about 'Maintenance Debt' is probably the most sensible advice I've seen written about used boats. Yachts are complex entities operating in a harsh environment and require ongoing maintenance. I believe many boats are sold by owners who just don't want to invest more time and money in them. That said, occasionally, very occasionally, real gems appear. Practically every used yacht can be stepped aboard and sailed off.... for a short distance and time period!
Click to expand...

Obviously most older boats need updating and we've spent around £20k in 16 years but, most newer boats on the UK market also need quite expensive updating if they're going to be used as long distance liveaboards as opposed to eastern Med caravans.
 
Have a moody 42 and is great in heavy weather a big solid boat , had a few RYA Instructors on and they loved the boat and was told it is a solid blue water boat.
When researching for the right boat the Hallberg was defo on the list but the price difference and the layout did not fit with my plans, but both boats are a good choice.
If you have the money and dont mind the layout the Hallberg is a good choice, but with the teak decks I would consider the extra price and maintenance for this type of boat , like buying a BMW or Merc the parts are expensive
 
It always seems those wandering afar accumulate kit so I just wonder if something slightly larger might have a better long term future? Maybe this all ultimately turns on timescales for plans , ability to travel to source and what's on the market with what kit. Are there any features that rules out a particular make e.g. Needing to have new engine or whatever . If you plan to resell which might be easier in your end destinations ? How maybe moody and HR are for sale in Med or cross Atlantic ? Afraid I haven't sailed on either but I would have thought a sail on each type might be useful.
 
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